This time last year it was my turn to write the church newsletter during Lent.
I reflected then on the challenges set by the Church of England during this Lenten period. Apart from the opportunities to fast, give up treats and/or give to charity, the 40 days (46 if you include Sundays) gives us a chance to stop and think about Jesus’ life, His teachings and to prepare for Holy week and the most important events for us Christians; Easter.
At St Bartholomew’s, we have Lent House Groups and Lent Reflections to help us focus together. I am reading a book by Tom Wright: Lent and Easter for Everyone – subtitled ‘From Wilderness to Glory’. It is a daily journey through the gospels giving insight into what was happening and why. A thought-provoking book!
I have been thinking about current events around our world. We live in disturbing times and politicians and generals have little idea of how events will unfold. Our news headlines are full of conflict, deceit, racism, false accusations, and many negatives.
I listened to our Rector invite us to offer each other a sign of peace at last week’s service and thought that if we all did that, including leaders around the world, and sincerely meant it, the world would start to become a far better place giving us hope for a peaceful future.
In the film Munich: Edge of War, the ‘hero’ is angry about what is happening around him in the build-up to war in 1938 and his desire to make a change. His riposte to his colleague who wants to wait and hope for a different outcome is “Hoping is waiting for someone else to do it”.
Jesus came to make a change to the human race. His dying and rising from the grave gives us hope for our own future and he did it for us. So, if you are hoping for something, please consider your part in making it happen.
The APCM is on 3rd March during the service and is a chance to review our church life in 2023. We will also be electing our 2024 PCC and officers, who make things happen. Mothering Sunday is celebrated on 10th March, Palm Sunday on 24th March and during Holy Week there will be Compline, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Service of Light.
(all details are on our website www.ducklingtonchurch.org.uk)
The glory of Easter Day is on 31st March and a chance for renewed hope in our world.
Martin Dines
