Minister’s Message for March 2026

Rev. Dr. Bruce Sweet
Mar 4
3 min read

Greetings!

Hope you are well.

Here is the Minister's Message for March.

March, named after the Roman god of war Mars, was originally the first month of

the year in the Roman calendar. It signals the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, often starting "like a lion and going out like a lamb". March is also known for "International Pi Day" (3/14), the birth of Twitter, and the first phone call.

History and Calendar Fun Facts

Original New Year: In the old Roman calendar, the year began in March, making it the first month, not the third.

The Id of March: March 15th is known as the "Ides of March," a day famously associated with the assassination of Julius Caesar.

Name Origin: It is named after Mars, the Roman god of war, as it was the traditional time to resume military campaigns after winter.

Borrowing Days: Folklore suggests the last three days of March were "borrowed" from April.

Nature and Weather Facts

Equinox: The Vernal (Spring) Equinox occurs around March 20–21, marking the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.

Hibernation Ends: March is the time of year when animals typically start waking up from hibernation.

A "Loud" Month: In Old English, March was sometimes called Hlyda, meaning "loud," likely referring to roaring winds.

Lion or Lamb: A popular saying is that March "comes in like a lion, and goes out like a lamb," implying a stormy start that turns mild.

Historical Events and Celebrations

First Telephone Call: Alexander Graham Bell made the first telephone call to his assistant on March 10, 1876.

Twitter Launch: The social media platform Twitter was launched on March 21, 2006.Peace Corps: President John F. Kennedy founded the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961.

Eiffel Tower: The Eiffel Tower was officially opened on March 31, 1889.

Fun Facts About March!

Are you born in March? Did you know that you have 2 birthstones? That's right - March birthstones are Aquamarines and Bloodstone.

The Peace Corps was founded in March! President John F. Kennedy founded this volunteer organization on March 1, 1961.

March 10, 1876 was the day the first phone call was made - Alexander Graham Bell called his assistant!

March is statistically the most unproductive month in the US due to NBA Basketball.The name "March" comes from the Roman god "Mars".

Twitter was launched on March 21, 2006 with its founder, Jack Dorsey, tweeting the very first tweet the same day!

March is packed with special days, including major observances like International Women's Day (8th), St. Patrick's Day (17th), and the Spring Equinox (around 20th), alongside fun ones like Pi Day (14th) and Read Across America Day (2nd), plus awareness months for things like Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Disabilities. Key UN days include the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (21st) and World Water Day (22nd).

But wait. There's more!

March 1 is the Second Sunday in Lent.

Historically the season of Lent is a 40-day period of prayer, fasting, and repentance observed by Christians to prepare for Easter, the celebration of Jesus Christ's resurrection. It is a solemn time of spiritual renewal and reflection, modeled after the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness.

Timeline and Key Dates

In 2026, the Lenten season follows this schedule for Western churches:

Start Date: February 18, 2026 (Ash Wednesday).

Duration: Approximately 40 days. In Western traditions, Sundays are not counted in the 40-day total because they are considered "mini-Easters".

End Date: April 2, 2026 (Holy Thursday) for Catholics, or April 4, 2026 (Holy Saturday) for many Protestant denominations.

Palm Sunday: March 29

Easter Sunday: April 5, 2026.

Etymology: The word "Lent" comes from the Old English word lencten, meaning "spring season," referring to the lengthening of days.

Now, why is March important for you?

Are there birthdays of family members or special friends?

Is there a relief in the lengthening of days, especially after a long winter?

Do you have any family Easter traditions?