Fortunate to be scheduled on the first sunny Saturday in several weeks, the second annual Feel the H.E.A.T. 5K/1 Mile Run drew more than 300 participants of all ages and fitness levels. The event, held at St. Columba’s Episcopal Church on February 20, raised $3200 for Georgia’s Heating Energy Assistance Team (H.E.A.T.).

H.E.A.T.’s Executive Director, Janet Joseph, participated in the event and expressed gratitude on behalf of H.E.A.T. and families served by her organization. “We are so appreciative of the donation from Saint Columba’s Episcopal Church. The downturn in the economy has forced many Georgia families to choose between heating their homes and buying food or medicine. The donation resulting from this race will help reach families most in need of emergency energy assistance,” said Joseph.

Fr. Tripp Norris, rector of St. Columba’s, explained that St. Columba’s members believe in making a difference in the lives of others through their words and deeds and that being a part of the community is an important role of the church. “This event is a wonderful way to bring people together from throughout the Atlanta area to support an organization that is so important, particularly in this especially cold winter. We’re thrilled with the turnout of runners and support from sponsors this year.

Many thanks to Kathleen and Ron Kraynick for all their work to make this a success!

Story by Kathleen and Ron Kraynick

Photos below provided by Kurt Blumthal and Holly Starling

Attachments:

Race Results

How you answer the question could give away your age! Well, at least how long you've been involved with the Church. If you grew up in the Church during the 40's and 50's, then you may answer the question by describing the season as a time of penance. Lent was when you gave up something—like food or going to the movies— in order to do penance for sin. If you're relatively new to the Church, Lent probably is more connected to baptism and so our special observances — fasting, prayer, almsgiving — are taken on with the purpose of recalling our Baptism, of deepening our commitment to Christ. And we do it in solidarity with those preparing to be baptized or received into the Church. No matter how you answer the question—in terms of penance for sins or baptism and renewal—the meaning lies in discovering that Lent really isn't entirely about us or at all about our need to suffer to earn God's favor again.

Instead, Lent is a time where we all are given the opportunity find our way back into a relationship with God, rekindle a relationship that may have grown cold or been neglected, or deepen a relationship already begun. The phrase, "Letting go and letting God," is a great way of describing what Lent is: it is all about letting go of ourselves and our way of living all on our own and letting God in to renew, restore, and resurrect with a miraculous love.

I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy word.