| Alastair Thom writes: Lent begins this week. More noticeable perhaps in our locality will be Ramadan which this year coincides almost exactly with Lent. It’s not of course a competition – most of our fasting looks rather modest in comparison. But Lent is more about making space: space for prayer, space for realignment – or as Paul puts it ‘being transformed by the renewal of your minds’. For those whose main or only engagement with church is through Sunday services, lent is a good time to explore a bit wider through a routine of self discipline, or a book to stretch the mind, or making time to pray. Although the church has adopted a seasonal approach so that every aspect of the Christian story gets its own bit of the year to focus on – as with all the other seasons, lent is a season for all seasons and making space for prayer and contemplation is a work for every part of the year. But lent may just give us the push we need. The focus at our lent group (Wednesday evenings) will be on the last week of Jesus’ life as we use ‘the chosen’ film series as a launching point for discussion. Lent may happen quietly, but if we allow, it can happen powerfully. Sunday Service – 10.30am Holy Communion with children’s groups Leader Alastair Thom; Preacher: Katy Hirst – ‘Why are so many Christians hypocrites’. Available on zoom. Also happening this week: Morning Prayer: Monday – Friday 8am Evening Prayer: 5.30pm Monday, Tuesday at Emmanuel; Wednesday, Thurs at St. Luke’s Night Prayer : posted daily via the whatsapp group and streamed on the youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkRbv1rSZ4x-uqW3TgyoqRg Monday – PCC meets 7.30pm Tuesday – Renew Café 2-4pm – Pancakes at the Vicarage – from 6.30pm Wednesday – 10am- 12.00 Craft and Chat – 10.30-12.00 Gardening Club – 1.30pm Women’s bible study group at the Vicarage – 7.30pm Ash Wednesday Holy Communion at Emmanuel Thursday – 11am ‘Dominos and donuts’ – 8pm Music Group practice Saturday – 10.30 Gardening Club – Women’s social Women’s Night Saturday 21st , 7.30 at church, DIY spa evening: bring and share your relaxation tools – eg face masks, foot spas, massagers. Also bring and share drinks and snacks. Even if face masks etc aren’t your thing, just come along for the company! Kitchen closure: The kitchen is now closed for a few weeks for refurbishment, so if you’d like tea or coffee after church please bring your own mug or purchase one of our branded ‘take me to church’ cups for £3 Safeguarding Saturday – 28th February, For those who need it for your role in church or for any who would like to understand safeguarding better, 10am-1 pm at the church, an opportunity to complete the Diocese safeguarding training together. Verse of the Month for February – ‘why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?’ Matthew 7:3 For prayer this week Sunday – Our Church service and children’s groups today Monday – Our PCC meeting this evening Tuesday – Those having a half term break this week Wednesday – All who mark the start of lent today Thursday – Those who are sick and those bereaved Friday – All in our parish who are facing financial hardship Saturday – The Marylebone project working with vulnerable women |
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