St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Portland, Maine

Stations of the Cross will be held at St. Peter’s at 5:00 p.m. each Friday, from March 2 until March 30.

In the midst of our busy lives we often forget that quiet contemplation with God will refresh us each day. During Lent, we “let go and let God” rejuvenate our souls and bodies as only He can do.  May He bless you all this Holy Season.

A Brief History of Stations of the Cross:

During the late Middle Ages, when the Turkish occupation of the Holy Land prevented pilgrims from visiting its sacred sites, the faithful made a custom of making simple replicas of those sacred sites in Europe, where they could come to pray.  Medieval Christians sought more details about the Passion of the Lord, beyond what was provided by the succinct stories of the gospels.  They turned to the writings of the mystics and the apocryphal gospels for more information about the last hours of Jesus. From these sources came the meeting of Jesus and his Mother, the story of Veronica, and the various falls of Jesus, which became part of the Stations of the Cross.  One of the most popular of these “pilgrimages at home” was to pray the stations of the cross, which were erected in imitation of the stations (or stopping places of prayer) on the street in Jerusalem that led from the judgment hall of Pilate to Calvary. By the end of the sixteenth century the present fourteen stations became the standard for this devotion. Only recently has a fifteenth station been added: “The Resurrection.”  The Stabat Mater often accompanies the way of the cross.  The fifteenth station is not visited during the season of Lent.

Shrove Tuesday, February 21

 Pancake Supper & Mardi Gras Celebration

5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church

All from St. Peter’s and Trinity (and friends, family and neighbors) are invited to Lincoln Hall at Trinity for Shrove Tuesday where we will enjoy pancakes and celebrate Mardi Gras with the children. Bring your kids and grandkids! There will be a mask-making workshop, a King and Queen will be chosen among the young people present and, to the sounds of Dixieland jazz, we will create our own New Orleans-style parade around Lincoln Hall. At a brief service, we will mark the conclusion of Mardi Gras and the change of the church calendar to Lent, followed by the distribution of ashes. This service will introduce children to the opening liturgy of Lent and refresh adult understanding of this aspect of our tradition.

“Remember that you are dust”

Lent commences on Ash Wednesday, February 22, bringing a new rhythm of life and worship.

Ash Wednesday services will be held at Noon at St. Peter’s and at 7:00 p.m. at Trinity.

If you are unable to attend either Ash Wednesday service or the Shrove Tuesday ashes ceremony, members of the clergy and lay people will be imposing ashes in a program called Ashes to Go. We will be imposing ashes during the midmorning in Portland at Tommy’s Park (corner of Exchange and Middle Streets across from Starbuck’s) and in Monument Square.

Thursday, February 23, 2012, 7:00 p.m.

Parish Meeting with Bishop Stephen T. Lane to discuss the collaboration between St. Peter’s and Trinity.

Join us for the Community Meal at 5:30 p.m.

St. Peter’s is pleased to join with Wayside Food Programs to host a weekly community meal each Thursday evening from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.  All are welcome.

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Check out the Upcoming Events and Ongoing Events pages for more information on what’s happening in the St. Peter’s community.

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