Local churches are shifting their focus from self-denial to coming together as a congregation and adopting positive new habits. These Lenten resolutions have a spiritual component, but may also focus on physical, emotional, intellectual or financial wellness.

When people add something beneficial to their lives, rather than subtract an indulgence such as coffee or chocolate, they are more likely to maintain the practice after Lent ends, Clark County congregants and pastors observed.

Churchgoers also are finding that they’re more successful in meeting Lenten challenges when they work together.

“Doing things as a group generally is more effective. We’re held accountable. It makes it easier to meet your goals,” said Helen Lehner of Camas, a registered nurse who organized the Lenten Fitness Challenge at Vancouver’s Church of the Good Shepherd.

Communal observances of Lent do more than keep people on track. They also bring churches closer together, said the Rev. A. Michael Brown, pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Vancouver.

“People are wanting deeper connections,” he said.

To meet that need, First Presbyterian showed a series of Christian lectures on DVD during Lent. Congregants got together in small groups after viewings to discuss the material and their faith. Brown also hosted lunches after Sunday services where people could ask questions about his sermons.

Lenten traditions and activities vary from church to church and person to person, but themes such as almsgiving, forgiveness, reflection and discipline create a constant thread weaving Christians together.

We asked leaders and congregants from several of the area’s churches to share what they learned about themselves during Lent, and how the experience will continue to shape them now that the liturgical season has ended. Here’s what they had to say.

Why do you observe Lent?

“I think it brings a deeper spirituality, a greater understanding of the sacrifice Christ made for us. It’s a time for me to discern what I’m asked to do as a Christian, and because we tend to slow down and it’s a more somber time, I tend to listen more in prayer.”
—Tracy Joy, 38, Vancouver, pastoral assistant and parishioner at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Vancouver

“When you sacrifice something that you feel is important to you or that you need, you’re relying on God more and trusting that he’ll provide. It fixes your eyes more on Jesus.”
—Nikki Hubby, 20, Vancouver, restaurant hostess, attends Solid Rock in Portland

What Lenten challenge did you set for yourself and why did you take that path?

“As a church, we’re building a tomb representation that basically covers the front of the altar. We’re using shoeboxes as bricks, and we’ve been adding to it every week. The idea is to have a more personal experience of what Jesus had to go through, to have a better sense of Christ’s suffering and burial.”
—The Rev. Ron Zschoche, 55, Battle Ground, pastor at Bethel Lutheran Church in Brush Prairie

“We’ve given up business meetings for Lent. Instead, we’re having sacred conversations. The purpose is to talk about why church, what is church and what is the mission of the church in the 21st century. It’s about listening to each other and listening to God. Lent’s often known as a time when people give up chocolate and things like that. We’re trying to find a way to help people carve out time in their busy lives to talk about the church and talk about what it means to be a Christian.”
—The Rev. A. Michael Brown, 61, Hazel Dell, pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Vancouver

“We are doing the Lenten Fitness Challenge. About 100 people have signed up to do it. There are five areas where people are putting their faith into action in becoming whole and holy people: indulging in God’s fruits and vegetables, drinking more water, nurturing our bodies through physical activity, growing our faith and enjoying a good belly laugh. People have a weekly score sheet and earn points by doing those things.”
—Helen Lehner, 43, Camas, registered nurse and stay-at-home mom, attends Church of the Good Shepherd in Vancouver

“We usually choose something to give up. My husband gave up sweets, and I gave up ice cream. We try to pick something that’s food-related and also do something to improve our well-being, physical, spiritual or psychological. This time we committed to retaking Dave Ramsey’s 13-week Financial Peace course. Our daughter (Autumn, 5) has a devotional sticker book. We read different passages from her children’s Bible every day, and she adds a sticker to her book for each day of Lent.”
—Diana Sterle, 37, Camas, stay-at-home mom, attends Camas United Methodist  Church

Will you continue whatever changes you’ve made in your life now that Lent has ended?

“Typically, if it’s something like giving up chocolate or wine, I tend to go back to it, but I may eat less chocolate or drink less wine or coffee. It’s not something I give up permanently, but it sticks with me. And when I add things, I tend to stick with those.”
—Tracy Joy, St. Joseph Catholic Church

“The hope is that we would, that Lent gave us permission to practice a new spiritual discipline and we would discover whether it’s meaningful or not. My hope is that if it is meaningful and helpful, then it will be continued after Lent.”
—The Rev. A. Michael Brown, First Presbyterian Church

What did you learn about yourself or your faith during Lent?

“We realize how blessed we are, focusing on what we do have and trying not to focus on what we don’t have or what was lost.”
—Diana Sterle, Camas United Methodist Church

“A huge weakness was spending my money on clothes, shoes, purses and more frivolous things. I gave up shopping for Lent, and I’ve realized that I don’t need those things to survive or be happy.”
—Nikki Hubby, Solid Rock

What is the biggest challenge you faced during Lent?

“Not letting the busyness of your life get in the way. Lent requires focused time and quiet, uninterrupted time, and those things are hard to find these days.”
—Helen Lehner, Church of the Good Shepherd

“Trusting that the Lord will provide and that he’ll make me happy.”
—Nikki Hubby, Solid Rock

Mary Ann Albright can be reached at maryann.albright@columbian.com or 360-735-4507.