‘A time for preparation’

As I write pancake day and lent are fast approaching with their fond and hazy memories of flipping pancakes and giving up chocolate or cake for a few weeks! In fact for the church the season of Lent was a precious time of preparation, when new Christians would complete their final studies and fast and pray ahead of their baptism on Easter day, the culmination of up to three years of preparation!

For our churches too this Lent feels like a time of preparation, as we begin to emerge from Covid restrictions and other challenges such as the recent theft and damage to the pathway.

We look forward to many things, with new appointments and our traditional village services on the summer horizon, together with a confirmation service on 20th March. But in the business and plans we must not forget the value of a time of reflection and preparation, a time for prayer and to focus on our spiritual side, a time perhaps to learn lessons, a time to deal with anything that is not right and look ahead to our next chapter with renewed strength and hope in our God’s inexhaustible love.

As ever, do feel free to join us on Sunday mornings at 9.30am over the next few weeks and let Rev Alex know if you’d like information about our exciting work for children and young people at our services.

With very best wishes

Ian Hopkins
(Interim Vicar)