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Rosey's Letter - February 2005 Dear Friends.
Ask any florist or card shop what is the most significant event in February, and the reply will be 'Valentine's Day'. We may not all be romantics, but it's good to have a celebratory day when 'love is in the air', and we acknowledge the importance of special relationships in our lives.
Another special day in February is Shrove Tuesday - Pancake Day. In our parish we shall be celebrating this with a Pancake Party in the elegant surroundings of the oak-panelled reception hall at the Downs School, from 7.30 -9.30. This celebration will mark the beginning of our 'Twelve Day Task Force', twelve days in which we'll be asking everyone in the parish to think about what their faith means to them, and how they might express their commitment by getting involved in the life of the parish, in giving of their time and their talents, and in making (or increasing) their financial commitment. There will be special services and special events (you should all have received an invitation - if not, please call the parish office on 857086), and we do hope that you will join us - a Valentine's Day Tea-party, a Half-term 'Fun Day' for children (Wed. 16th), a Skittles evening (Sat. 19th) - there's something for everyone.
We wondered about calling this programme of events 'Love Actually' - partly because it's the Valentine's season, but also because love isn't real unless it's actual - expressed in practical ways, by what we do, what we value, how we spend our time, how generous we are. Real love is costly - for the most romantic, extravagant valentine card in the shop (or an expensive bunch of red roses) is no substitute for love expressed in practical, caring, generous ways on the other 364 days of the year.
Shrove Tuesday, of course, is the day before Lent - those 40 days of self-discipline leading up to Easter, when we are reminded again of the real cost of Actual Love - and perhaps that example of ultimate generosity, ultimate love, should be in our minds as we ask ourselves what our response to the Twelve day Task Force might be......
With Love, Rosey
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