It’s the season of Lent, when many Christians give up something important in their lives in an attempt to get closer to Christ.

But while the historical focus – at least in some denominations – has been on giving something up, many mainline churches now use the period between Ash Wednesday and Easter to add programs for their members’ spiritual lives.

“The notion of giving something up for Lent is so misunderstood,” says the Rev. Darrel Proffitt, lead pastor at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 5700 W. Sixth St. “For some people, it’s, ‘Let’s give up some food and lose some weight’ instead of fasting to remind ourselves that our lives are so dependent on God alone. Taking on something is more significant because they’re doing something to grow closer to God.”

Proffitt’s church is having a Lent study series on Tuesday nights that walks participants through the events that led up to Easter, when Christians believe Jesus Christ was resurrected after his crucifixion. St. Margaret’s also will have additional worship services during Holy Week, the week before Easter.

“A lot of people who are unchurched don’t quite understand the benefit of taking that journey (during Lent), so Easter takes on a greater significance,” Proffitt says. “I don’t know that people are looking for it, but taking that journey can be extremely helpful so that when you celebrate the resurrection, it touches your soul in a greater way.”

Time of preparation

Trinity Lutheran Church, meanwhile, has added a recital series and weekly worship service to its lineup, to give more opportunities for meditation and reflection.

“Lent is a time when you start focusing on your spiritual life, which is why a lot of churches add things,” says Ben Keseley, director of music and worship at the church, 1245 N.H. “Lent’s tradition was that it was a time of catechesis – a time to prepare to be baptized.”

The recital series, from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. Tuesdays, features area organists and other musicians.

“They play for about 20 to 25 minutes, and the rest (of the service) is poetry, Scripture and prayers interspersed in there,” Keseley says. “It’s kind of an all-arts sort of approach. It’s really nice for people who want a little time of meditation.”

He thinks a mixed spiritual approach – self-denial mixed with new spiritual disciplines – works well for Lent.

“I think they can balance quite well,” Keseley says. “You can say you’re go fast, but fasting with adding prayer to that – those things together – add pretty well.”

Beyond Lent

First United Methodist Church, 946 Vt. and 867 Highway 40, also has a variety of new offerings during Lent, including studies, Wednesday evening meditative worship and Lectio Divina, which is offered from 11:30 a.m. to noon Wednesdays at its downtown location, and from 5:30 p.m.-6 p.m. Thursdays at its west location.

“Lectio Divina is an ancient Benedictine tradition that focuses on intentional Scripture reading,” explains the Rev. Tom Brady, senior pastor. “Participants hear a Scripture read out loud, they reflect in silence, hear it again and share some brief reflections and thoughts with each other. The repetition of hearing the Scripture is a very simple way to help the Bible come alive for those who hear it.”

Brady says Lent offers a time for some members to commit to short-term Bible studies.

No matter whether the focus is on self-denial or adding new disciplines, Brady says the goal should be to continue the Lenten season into the rest of the year.

“Lent encourages us to do for 40 days what we should be doing all year long,” Brady says. “Forty days is enough time to learn new habits and patterns. Often times, the disciplines that started during Lent carry on into longer time periods and even a lifetime of discipline and self-denial.”