From the Vicarage

Come Marching In

You don't have to be a Saint to be with us on Sundays - few, if any, of the people in any church's pews are likely to be beatified as Saints - but those who have been, like St. Paul and St. Augustine, would be looking out for people who might be saints with a small 's'. If you are an ordinary believer in God, caring about Jesus and being open to the Holy Spirit, then St. Paul would have called you a saint. That doesn't mean that you have to start off by being especially holy, but it could mean finding yourself becoming a more whole person, being more content, caring and courageous as your faith works in you.

Lent starts on March 1st, Ash Wednesday. From about three hundred years after the earthly life of Jesus it has been usual for Christians to take Lent as a time of reassessment of their lives, thinking again about Jesus and how his life was cut short by uncaring, sinful people. Lent was commonly seen as a time of fasting, giving up things which were good in themselves, like rich foods, cakes and sweets, as a reminder that everything good comes from God and his generosity should not be taken for granted. Few people fast seriously these days, perhaps because the modern tendency to binge and diet has almost led to a national neurosis about size and weight, causing anorexia and bulimia and hiding the spiritual side of going without things we enjoy. So, instead of giving something up, think of Lent as a time for taking something up to expand our spiritual life and vision. Most churches offer a special series of talks, activities or quiet times during Lent, and St. Augustine's will be discussing and discovering different ways of praying - details below

With every blessing,

Ann

Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, and this year that's 1st March. Traditionally, Christians look for a way to draw closer to God in Lent, so this Lent, what are you doing for God - and what are you letting God do for you ? It's an important decision : so have you prayed about it ? And do you find that praying is easy, interesting, helpful and fulfilling ? Or is it a chore, boring, difficult or meaningless ? How often do you pray, and how willingly ? And why do you pray ? Have you tried praying through reading the Bible - or the newspaper ?

A new prayer group is starting at the beginning of March. This will provide a fresh opportunity for praying with others about our own concerns, our parish, our world and our environment, but it is also a chance to think, talk about and experience different ways of praying. We will look at traditional prayers, such as the 'Our Father' and the 'Armour of Light', and discover also why some people find it helpful to pray while they walk, or paint, or sing, or hold a pebble or a feather.

Christian meditation is often overlooked even by people who are searching for a real spirituality, but relaxing into the arms of God and contemplating his greatness can bring peace, hope, joy and love.
Praying is not only for Sundays, it is for every day and every kind of circumstance, to keep us close to God and his Holy Spirit. Parishes which pray together grow together, giving to and receiving from God and one another, and increasing in wholeness and health.

Ask me, your vicar, for details of when and where we will be meeting, and join us for some or all of the six weeks of Lent. You can contact me on 01322 - 332669 or talk to me after the Sunday service.

Ann

The above is the lead article from the parish magazine for March 2006.
If you wish to receive the full magazine it is available for a subscription of £3 per year from Mrs Mavis Bradley on 01322 338654 or email parishmag at sladegreen dot org

Index of the previous magazine articles