Online Lenten devotions offer college faculty and student voices; Reflections begin Feb. 17 at www.goshen.edu/devotions

GOSHEN, Ind. – What are you holding on to and need to let go of this year? Goshen College again offers an online resource to help believers make time and space in their hearts and minds to reflect during the season of Lent.

Beginning Feb. 17 (Ash Wednesday) and culminating on April 4 (Easter), Goshen College students, faculty and staff will provide weekday reflections based on lectionary Scripture passages, available online, by daily e-mail or via RSS feed. To access the devotions or sign-up to receive them daily in your inbox, go to: www.goshen.edu/devotions.

Organizers said the devotions will reflect honestly on the Scriptures and offer words of assurances of faith. Many writers will reflect on the Lenten theme: "Holding on and letting go." The spiritual offerings will include poetry, personal stories, reflections and prayers, all intended to more closely examine the call to change and follow Christ.

The popularity of the devotions continues to grow each year and there are now more than 8,300 online subscribers, representing many different denominational backgrounds and countries.

One devotion subscriber said, "I look forward to each day's devotions and have found them very meaningful and inspirational." Another commented, "I very much appreciate the devotions. They are written by real people, regular people. Thank you for providing this service."

Since 2001, Goshen College annually celebrates special seasons of the church calendar, particularly Advent and Lent, with online devotions.

Editors: For more information about this release or to arrange an interview, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

###

Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college's Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron's Best Buys in Education, "Colleges of Distinction," "Making a Difference College Guide" and U.S.News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges" edition, which named Goshen a "least debt college." Visit www.goshen.edu.