Dear Friends,

 

By the time you read this, we shall be well into the 40 days of Lent, that time of year when the days begin to lengthen (giving us the origin of the word Lent), and Spring at last seems to be on the way, more welcome than ever this year, after the harsh winter we have endured. Thank God not even the grim economic climate will be able to stop the daffodils bursting into joyous bloom and reminding us that nature, and life itself, are irrepressible.

 

But to my mind, Lent does not conjure up pictures of daffodils. On the contrary, the image in my head resembles more the dreary, monochrome, arid landscapes we see in reports from Iraq and Afghanistan on TV – and those pictures are closer to what Jesus would have experienced when he withdrew from 'normal life' for a period, said to be 40 days, in preparation for the beginning of his public ministry.

 

What happened during those 40 days? The gospel writers tell us that Jesus fasted, and was hungry (hence no doubt the tradition many people have of giving up chocolate, or other treats, in order to identify with him in some small way), and that in that remote place he was tempted in several different ways to misuse the power he had for the sake of short-term gain. What strikes me most about that time, however, was the isolation he experienced – the sense of being completely on his own, exposed to his own vulnerability, without all the 'props' that keep human beings feeling relatively sane and comfortable. Many people have to live with feelings of loneliness, some more than others; few of us could cope with real isolation of that wilderness experience (though some bravely try out something similar by going on retreat to some isolated spot or 'hermitage').Perhaps this explains the fascination of the idea which has kept the  Radio 4 programme 'Desert Island Discs' going for so long; what would make such an experience bearable for any of us?

 

The writer H.A.Williams expressed the true meaning of Lent in this way:

'Lent is supposed to be the time when we think of Jesus in the wilderness. And the wilderness belongs to us. It is always lurking somewhere as part of our experience, and there are times when it seems pretty near the whole of it. Most people's wilderness is inside them, not outside. Thinking of it as outside is generally a trick we play on ourselves – our wilderness is an inner isolation, an absence of contact. It's a sense of being terrifyingly alone – boringly alone, or saddeningly alone, or terrifyingly alone' Often we try to relieve it – understandably enough, God knows – by chatter, or gin, or religion, or sex, or possibly a combination of all four. The trouble is that these purple hearts can work their magic only for a very limited time, leaving us after one short hour or two exactly where we were before.'

 

Realising that in a real sense, we are all ultimately on our own is a hard thing. Often it doesn't come home to us until bereavement hits us, and deprived of someone we have always been close to, we feel so alone. That realisation, and the acceptance of it, is a real test, as it was for Jesus. It is a big step of maturity, just as it was when we were first sent off on our own as children. It is when we discover our weakness – and our strength. In the quiet of solitude, without the distractions of chatter or the sound of TV or radio, we might just learn to be still, and hear a quiet inner voice ....

 

This Lent, why not spend some time exploring your 'inner wilderness', taking some time to be on your own – and if that is nothing new for you, then using that aloneness as an opportunity to think quietly about what your faith means to you. We are most of us sociable beings who enjoy one another's company – but we all need to overcome our fear of solitude, so that we can listen in the quietness to the God who meets us in our 'inner wilderness'.

 

You might see yourself in a new light; you might discover a strength you never knew you had; you might see signs of new life and growth in the tired and dusty person you discover in your aloneness;  spring-time might be about to happen in your life......

May Lent be a good time of discovery for you.

 

With love, Rosey

'As the days lengthen

and the earth spends longer in the light of day,

grant , Lord, that I may spend longer in the light of your presence,

and may the seeds of your Word,

which have been so long buried within me,

grow, like everything around us,

into love for you, and love for people.

Grant, Father, that this Lent

there may be a spring-time in my life.'

 

 

 

MAKING THE MOST OF LENT

 

If you would like to use the time of Lent to think about your faith / spend some more time reading / praying, here are some possibilities for you:

 

1.      Come along to a Lent Group to discuss Paula Gooder's very readable book 'Lent-wise' – either a Wednesday evening, 7.30, at the Rectory (8 School View, The Elms –

tel; 857086 if you need directions!) or a Thursday afternoon (2.00) at the Methodist Church.

All are welcome to wither of these groups – no previous experience necessary!

 

2.      Come to 'Stations of the Cross' every Friday evening during Lent, in All Saints' Wraxall at 7.30 pm., for just half an hour. Each of these sessions will be led by a lay-person, who will help us to walk, in our imagination, with Jesus along the way of the cross.

 

3. Come to experience a 'Walk through Lent', at All Saints' Wraxall, from 9-5 each day –

a journey round the church which will help you to enter into the meaning of Lent

in a way which is meaningful for you.

(This will begin on Tuesday 3^rd March)

 

4     There are books available for you to borrow if you would like to do some 'spiritual reading'

during Lent – please make sure you sign the list if you want to take one home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PARISH WEEKEND AT LLANGASTY, 22ND – 24TH MAY

 

This is going to be a great weekend – don't miss out on it.

Here are some reasons why you should book your place without delay:

 

1.      It's in a fantastically beautiful place – overlooking Llangorse Lake,

and surrounded by the Brecon Beacons.

2.      Comfortable rooms, good food, and our own bar.

3.      Time to relax, be quiet, chat if you feel like it.

4.      An excellent speaker, Dr. John Bimson, of Trinity College,

who came to our 'Take a Look' group (and we all liked him!).

He will speak on the topic 'Who do you think you are?', using some insights

from his own research as an Old Testament writer and archaeologist

5.      A chance to walk in stunning countryside if you feel energetic -

or to shop in Brecon or Crickhowell if you don't!

6.      Worship in a beautiful chapel opened by the Archbishop of Canterbury,

with views of the lake, mountains and sheep.

7.      A weekend with some of the nicest people in Wraxall and Failand

(some laughter guaranteed!)

 

Now that you know how good it's going to be,

see Julia Norton as soon as possible – she has booking forms.

 

CHILDREN AND COMMUNION

 

It is the policy, in the Diocese of Bath and Wells, for children to be welcomed to receive Holy Communion, provided that they have been baptised, and have been given some instruction in understanding what the service of Holy Communion is about.

A number of children will be receiving Holy Communion for the first time at our Family Communion at 9.30am on Mothering Sunday. Preparation for this special day will take place on Saturday 7^th, 14^th and 21^st March, in church, at 4pm.

Please speak to Rev. Rosey if you /your child would like to come along to these sessions.