Lent starts with Ash Wednesday on 17th February. Lent is a time which gives us space to reflect on our journey in God.
To remind ourselves of where are roots can be found and how God helps us.
In this uncertain time, this Lent gives us time to name our pain and frustration
as well as those moments of thanksgiving.
The Psalms may help us in this as we enter this journey.
There is an introduction to Lent and things you might like to do in Keeping a Holy Lent 2021and there is a full list of our activities Lent activities Poster 2021
You may like to join in some Lent Practices with others.
This year in our Lent Group we will be using the Bishop of London’s Lent Book – Rooted in God’s Love – details – 5 Monday’s in Lent- 2021
There was also an opportunity to reflect through tradition practice of Stations of Cross as we journey through the last experiences of Jesus earthly life. Stations of the Cross 2021. These will take on Sunday’s at 4pm on 21st February; 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th March.
Personal Reflection— 40 bags in 40 days
In 2021 we are inviting one another once again to take part in 40 bags in 40 days . It is a process which allows us to reflect on what is necessary in our lives..- where we focus on cleaning one area per day. In this one area you challenge yourself to declutter, simplify, decrapify, and get rid of things you don’t need. The goal is one bag a day but you can have more or less. It doesn’t need to just be material things, it could be emails or issues or even concerns. The idea is to remove in a small way each day during Lent those things which distract us from faith and living a whole life.
Start small—bag size may vary. Maybe choose one draw or activity you are going to clear, rather than a whole room. Allow what you choose to inform your prayer life—what does our clutter tell us about our relationship with God? How might God inform our living in the days ahead?
Remember, Lent is not a time to make yourself miserable. Often we can be encouraged to think that the season of Lent is all about people giving up their favourite treats with the thought that in doing so we will lose some weight and get a little healthier. For some of us it is also associated with often rather dreary Lent Groups and study, additional services and soul searching. Neither approach really does justice to the wonderful opportunity of the 40 days that run from Ash Wednesday to Easter Eve (Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, and ends on Easter Eve, the forty days comprising the intervening weekdays, as Sundays do not count!)
Charity
There is also a suggestion about fasting, and about charitable giving. In 2021 we are also supporting the Bishop of London’s Lent Appeal.
More information can viewed here:
Our collection at special services during Lent, as well as retiring offerings during Holy Week will go to this appeal.
Above all we would like you to be joyful, to remember that as members of the Church God calls us into a relationship with our Creator which is fresh and full of life and hope. Wishing you a happy and holy Lent.