Pastor's Note

I'm not sure that this month's From the Pastor will have any great theological or profound thought to it, but it will ask an age old question: When you pronounce February, do you pronounce the "r"
after the "b", or do you skip over it. In other words, does it come out as "Fe-brew-airy" or " Feb-you-airy"? I pronounce the "r" after the "b"? No particular reason, I just like the sound of it.  After all, it comes from the Latin word Februarius, named after, februa, Roman rites of purification held at time of year. In Latin, the br sound was clearly pronounced. (That may already be more information than you thought you would ever need on the subject.)

But to finish the thought: when the word passed into English (through Old French), they kept the "r" to reflect its Latin roots. But most people drop it because "br" followed by another "r" later in the same word seems awkward to say. No matter how you say it. I like February. I begin to notice the days getting longer. We have President's Day (I always liked having Lincoln's Birthday and Washington's Birthday when I was in Elementary School). And we have Valentine's Day. I liked the Conversation Hearts the best.

But I love February because Sue and I got married on Valentine's Day in 2009. It wasn't for the romance of the day (although I must admit, seeing her walk down the aisle towards me made, and still makes, tears come to my eyes), but because she had the next week off of school and we could move our furniture from our houses to the parsonage in Firebaugh.

And I like that Ash Wednesday is in February this year and Lent begins. We will have our Ash Wednesday Service on February 18th at 5:00 p.m. here at the church in the sanctuary. I like Lent just as I like Advent – it is a time of preparation – a time of getting ready for and acknowledging that something special is about to happen. I love the anticipation of getting ready.

What about you? Do you think about February and the stuff that goes on during the month? Do you have special memories in February? Special plans for this February? If nothing else, I would encourage you to join us for our Ash Wednesday Service.

Grace and peace,
Bert