Today is Ash Wednesday. If you see people around Bakersfield with a gray smudge on their foreheads, it’s not just a religious ritual—it’s an act of honesty. It’s our way of dropping the "I’ve got it all together" act and admitting that we are human, fragile, and deeply connected to one another.

This day marks the start of Lent, a 40-day journey leading up to Easter.

Let’s be real: the world feels pretty chaotic right now. Between the constant noise on our screens and the stress of just trying to keep up, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or even a little numb to the struggles of our neighbors. That’s why we’re doing Lent differently this year.

Our pastor, Rev. Nancy Bacon, reminds us that simply "giving something up" can feel empty if it doesn't have a purpose. We aren’t interested in just "acting religious" while our community and our world are hurting. We are looking for the guts to actually care—to choose a "politics of love" that stands up for the vulnerable and refuses to stay quiet when things aren't right.

What to Expect Whether you’ve been in church your whole life, or you aren’t even sure what you believe, you are so welcome to walk this path with us. Starting today, we are hosting a 40-Day Soul Reset on our social media pages. You can expect:

• Daily Real Talk: No "churchy" riddles. Just honest reflections on stress, justice, and hope.

• Ancient Wisdom: Simple verses for our modern, messy lives.

• A Simple "How-To": One small, direct way to be a force for good right where you’re at.

Join Us Today You don’t need to be in a church building to start. You can reflect right where you’re at. Today, take 60 seconds—at your desk, in the car, or at the kitchen table—to just get quiet and ask: "How can I trade a little of my own comfort for some empathy for a neighbor today?"

Let’s walk together. Let’s see where love can take us.