Lenten Bookmarks
For Lent, I fasted from the morning news and made Lenten bookmarks. The news was making me mad—it’s supposed to be financial news, but one of the anchors was parroting political propaganda—and I didn’t want to start the day that way.
But if I give something up, I need to put something new in its place. My niece had given me a bookmark with my initial on it, which made me feel connected to the book I was reading. I decided to pass that along. Thus began the (non) traditional practice of making Lenten bookmarks. My goal was to sew 26 bookmarks by Easter.
Of course, I used scrap fabric and material otherwise considered trash. You know, like the crosses I’ve made. Soon enough, I decided to pair the bookmarks with a book. I chose this one because it’s about sewing becoming writing and the beautiful colors go with the bookmarks.
I’ve sewn a lot, but not embroidery. I went on YouTube—of course, I did—and learned a few new stitches. As you can tell, it was on the-job learning. My goal was to sew 26 bookmarks by Easter. I made it.
Because Resurrection calls us to return to Galilee, the Lenten Bookmarks have become a thing, as I begin again.
If this weekend you celebrate the Resurrection, I hope you have a joyous Easter!
a new way of looking at Lent, hand-sewing, hand-sewn bookmarks
Mary Lowry
What a charming “tradition”!
Ellen Morris Prewitt
Thank you! It gives me something to do when watching TV at night, though it’s harder when the show is using subtitles. 🙂
Sandi Butler Hughes
Thank you, Ellen – I’m always inspired by your posts to think, connect, and create. <3
Ellen Morris Prewitt
I’m so glad, Sandi. I hope you have a wonderful Easter!
Donna
Beautiful, Ellen! Happy Easter!
Ellen Morris Prewitt
Thank you! And Happy Easter to you as well!
Joanne Corey
Now, they can be Easter bookmarks! I know your tradition does not have Ordinary Time, but this strikes me as going beyond the usual liturgical seasons to be a spiritual practice at any time of year. Or a fun hobby!
Wishing you Easter blessings and a safe and happy spring!
Ellen Morris Prewitt
We do have Ordinary Time! Episcopal theologian Phyllis Tickle was big on liturgical seasons and praying the offices; she’s the one I first learned the term from. So we’ve got the 50 days of the Easter season covered then bleed them into Ordinary Time. 💚 Happy Easter to you as well!
Joanne Corey
Thanks for the updating! When I worked in an Episcopal Church decades ago, they were still doing “weeks after Pentecost” for months. I’m glad you have Ordinary Time in your lectionary now.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
I may have misspoken, as we do still have an extremely long Pentecost. 🙂