PARIS — The Oxford Hills Clergy Association has announced that the venue for the annual Lenten Luncheon Series, which begins on Feb. 14, has been changed after more than two decades.

The Deering Memorial United Methodist Church in South Paris has hosted the event for more than 20 years, but this year the congregation made the decision that they could no longer host the event, so it has been moved to the First Congregational Church, the Rev. Don Mayberry, said.

The First Congregational Church, established in 1812, is located at 17 East Main St. in South Paris.

“Although we are delighted to host this event at First Congregational Church, we are very mindful of the longtime efforts of the good people at Deering,” said Mayberry, who has served as senior pastor of the First Congregational Church since 2001.

“We all value this series because it offers an opportunity to come together with community friends from other churches,” Mayberry said.

The luncheon is served each Thursday during the Lenten season from Feb. 14 through March 21. Ash Wednesday begins the Lenten season and is on Feb. 13 this year.

In the Christian calendar, the Lenten season is a 40-day period of reflection and preparation for Easter Sunday, when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“The lunch allows us to do something different during Lent, as we break together and listen to a reflection offered by rotating pastors from the group,” he said.

The menu is soup, sandwich and beverage for a cost of $5. Local area clergy will speak.

The Lenten Luncheon Series is one of a number of events for local area churches. The Oxford Hills Clergy Association, a fellowship of pastors in the Oxford Hills, meet monthly and plan and host annual events such as the Good Friday Walk of the Cross, a community Thanksgiving service and special events as needs arise.

“We come together to know each other better, to represent our churches in community action, such as serving the needs of the people of the area and to join together when possible for shared worship,” Mayberry explained of the association’s focus.

The group has also banded together to oppose or support initiatives in a nonpolitical forum. Last year, for example, nine of the local clergy signed an open letter to local state senators and representatives, asking them to reject proposed cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services budget.

The open letter was not meant as a political statement or as representation of any congregation  but rather acknowledgment of a pastoral concern,” Mayberry said at the time.

All are welcome to the luncheon.

ldixon@sunjournal.com

The Lenten Lunches Series will featured the following speakers:

Feb. 14: The Rev. Ray Mitchell, Trinity Lutheran Church, South Paris

Feb. 21: The Rev. Leslie Foley, Second Congregational UCC, Norway

Feb. 28: The Rev. Kevin Smart, South Paris Baptist Church

March 7: The Rev. Don Mayberry, First Congregational, South Paris

March 14: The Rev. Mary Beth Caffey, First Baptist of Paris Hill

March 21: The Rev. Wally Farnum, West Paris Mission Congregational Church, UCC