THE FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
Today we welcome the Bishop of Ebbsfleet!
View from a Pew
During lockdown the rainbow has become a symbol of hope, originally of course, according to scripture, it was a covenant made between God and Noah, Noah representing all mankind. It seems to signify I think a necessary and intimate relationship between God and all his creation, man, animals and nature a link we have neglected (at our peril) and which scientists are suggesting will create further problems if we don’t do something about it.
Each of the Gospels, except John, mention the Wilderness Experience yet Mark, though brief and to the point as ever, also mentions that Jesus was with the wild beasts. Jesus, man, nature, all part of creation and re-creation in Christ Jesus.
1 of Lent (2021)
Lent Devotions
Given the current uncertainty of continuing restrictions our Lent devotions will have to be somewhat different to normal, the following are intended but subject to evolution!
Mondays:
Mass will be celebrated at 10am following Morning Prayer rather than in the evening.
Stations of the Cross will be lead at 7pm at Holy Trinity.
Thursdays:
The Lent Course, reflecting on the preceding Sunday’s Gospel and homily will be online via zoom at 7pm.
Fridays:
Stations of the Cross will be lead at 7pm at S. Saviour’s and at S. Werburgh’s simultaneously (what’s the point of having a curate if he isn’t made to work for a living…)
Sundays:
Compline, although an increasingly established part of our pattern of online gathered worship some may wish to take it up as part of their Lenten discipline – remember unlike the worship on Facebook this is interactive and we are allowed to be sociable!
Inquisitive Children
The first of our online sessions for inquisitive (sounds better than curious!) children will be this afternoon at 3pm via the Children’s Church Messenger Group on Facebook.
Conqueror Challenge – The Camino
On Ash Wednesday, with the beginning of Lent, Fr Andrew and Fr Glen will also begin their virtual pilgrimage along the fabled Camino, the road to Santiago De Compostela. They are doing this for a variety of reasons, partly a spiritual discipline for Lent, partly a means of keeping active and healthy in lockdown (and encouraging other to do the same), partly to be seen more out and about in the parish, and partly to raise money. The money raised will primarily go towards supporting the work, mission, and administration of the Team Ministry centrally, but a proportion will also be donated to the local charity Ruff and Ruby which seeks to support young people and especially to raise aspirations. The pilgrimage will require the clergy to cover the equivalent of 480miles or 772km, and it is their hope and aim to “reach” Santiago in time for Pentecost. Ever since the Middle Ages this has been a famous and popular pilgrimage route and has been the inspiration for art, film, and television for a long time, we
would dearly love to make the journey physically but for now this will have to do. We very much hope you will support us and sponsor us as we make this journey through Lent and Easter and we shall keep you up to date with our progress in church and online.
THIS WEEK’S DIARY
FIRST WEEK OF LENT
Lectionary Cycle – Sundays Year B – Weekdays Year I
Monday 22nd February The Chair of S. Peter (W)
for the unity of the Church
9.00am – Morning Prayer (SS)
10.00am – Mass (SS)
6.00pm – Evening Prayer (SS)
7.00pm – Stations of the Cross (HT)
Tuesday 23rd February Lent Feria with Commemoration of S. Polycarp, Bp & M (P)
for the church in the Middle East
9.00am – Morning Prayer (HT)
10.00am – Mass (HT)
12.30pm – Funeral Service (SS)
6.00pm – Evening Prayer (HT)
Wednesday 24th February Lent Feria (P)
for the sick and those in need
9.00am – Morning Prayer (SW)
6.00pm – Evening Prayer (SW)
7.00pm – Mass (SW)
Thursday 25th February Lent Feria (P)
for the repose of the soul of Marie Birds
9.00am – Morning Prayer (SS)
10.00am – Mass of Requiem (SS)
6.00pm – Evening Prayer (SW)
7.00pm – Lent Course (online)
Friday 26th February Lent Feria (P)
for the gift of charity
9.00am – Morning Prayer (SW)
12noon – Mass (HT)
6.00pm – Evening Prayer (HT)
7.00pm – Stations of the Cross (SS)
7.00pm – Stations of the Cross (SW)
Saturday 27th February Lent Feria (P)
for a spirit of reconciliation
10.00am – Holy Communion (SW)
Sunday 28th February SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT (P)
Our Team, mission and outreach
9.30am – SAID PARISH MASS (SW)
10.30am – SAID PARISH MASS (HT)
11.30am – SAID PARISH MASS (SS)
3.00pm – Inquisitive Children (online)
7.00pm – Compline (Zoom)
