Lent is an excellent opportunity to set aside time when you can travel further in your relationship with Christ.  Please think about taking part in one, or all of the activities on offer – remember, Lent is a time of taking up as well as giving up!

 

‘Life Balance’ – 5 informal sessions exploring how Sabbath principles can transform the way we spend our time, and how Sabbath time can be built into everyday life. Groups will begin in the week commencing 6^th March at the following times:

Mon 8 – 9.30 p.m. (2 groups).

Tues 10 -11.30 a.m. and 8 – 9.30 p.m.

Thurs 2 – 3.30 p.m.

Thurs 8 – 9.30 p.m.

Please sign up for the small group sessions at either St Giles’ or the URC.  Course materials - £4.

As the signing up sheets for the Lent groups were removed from the two churches on 26^th February there is an opportunity of taking telephone or email bookings up to 3^rd March. Call 01895 622971 or email Stephanie White at office@stgileschurch.co.uk

  

“The Rainbow of Renewal” by Michael Mitton  £8. Bible Reading Fellowship ISBN 1 84101 436 2

This book is new for Lent 2006 and includes a daily Scripture reading, reflection and prayer for each day from Ash Wednesday to Easter Day.  The author writes, ‘Lent is a very good time to take a step back and make space for God to do his renewing work in us.’  The seven sections of the book take the reader from mourning (indigo) to resurrection (white) inviting us to open ourselves to God’s renewing work during this journey. 

  

‘Journeying with the Psalmist’

March 1 – Ash Wednesday Holy Communion
When God seems distant – Psalm 22
Speaker:  Adrian Guthrie

March 8 – Compline
When we need forgiveness – Psalm 51
Speaker:  Derek Parker

March 15 – Compline
Knowing that God knows us – Psalm 139
Speaker:  Liz Boyes

March 22 – Compline
Being sure of God’s protection – Psalm 91
Speaker:   Jenny Askey

March 29 – Sung Compline
Lives full of praise – Psalm 98
Speaker:  Derek Parker

 

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday.  But why 'Ash' Wednesday?  The reason has to do with getting things right between you and God, and the tradition goes right back to the Old Testament.

In the Old Testament, the Israelites often sinned.  When they finally saw their evil ways as God saw them, they could do nothing but repent in sorrow.   They mourned for the damage they had done.  As part of this repentance, they covered their heads with ashes, an outward sign of their heart-felt acknowledgement of sin.  (See Genesis 18:27; 2 Samuel 13:19; Job 2:8, 30:19; Isaiah 58:5; Jeremiah 6:26; Jonah 3:6)

In the very early Christian Church, the yearly 'class' of penitents had ashes sprinkled over them at the beginning of Lent. They were turning to God for the first time, and mourning their sins.   But soon many other Christians wanted to take part in the custom, and to do so at the very start of Lent.  They heeded Joel's call to 'rend your hearts and not your garments' (Joel 2:12-19).  Ash Wednesday became known as either the 'beginning of the fast' or ‘the day of the ashes’.

The collect for today goes back to the Prayer Book, and stresses the penitential character of the day. It encourages us with the reminder of the readiness of God to forgive us and to renew us. 

The Bible readings for today are often Joel 2:1-2, 12 – 18, Matthew 6: 1-6,16 – 21 and Paul’s moving catalogue of suffering, "as having nothing and yet possessing everything." (2 Corinthians 5:20 - 6:10)

The actual custom of 'ashing' was abolished at the Reformation, though the old name for the day remained.  Today, throughout the Church of England, receiving the mark of ashes on one’s forehead is optional.   Certainly the mark of ashes on the forehead reminds people of their mortality:   "Remember that you are dust and to dust you will return..."  (Genesis 3:19)

The late medieval custom was to burn the branches used on Palm Sunday in the previous year in order to create the ashes for today. 

The Collect for Ash Wednesday is:

Almighty and everlasting God,
You hate nothing that you have made
And forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:
Create and make in us new and contrite hearts
That we, worthily lamenting our sins
And acknowledging our wretchedness,
May receive from you, the God of all mercy,
Perfect remission and forgiveness;
Through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
Who is alive and reigns with you,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and for ever.
 

There is an old Jewish saying:           

            God could not be everywhere, and therefore He made mothers.

Mother Church, Mother Earth, Mother of the Gods - our human mothers - all of them have been part of the celebration of ‘Mothering Sunday’ - as the fourth Sunday in Lent is affectionately known.

In Roman times, great festivals were held every spring to honour Cybele, Mother of all the Gods.  Other pagan festivals in honour of Mother Earth were also celebrated.  With the arrival of Christianity, the festival became one honouring Mother Church.

During the Middle Ages, young people apprenticed to craftsmen or working as ‘live-in’ servants were allowed only one holiday a year on which to visit their families, and their ‘Mother’ Church - which is how ‘Mothering Sunday’ got its name.  This special day became a day of family rejoicing, and the Lenten fast was broken.  In some places the day was called Simnel Day, because of the sweet cakes called simnel cakes traditionally eaten on that day.