living lent

feb 22nd to easter weekend 2012

ere making a big deal of Lent this year but I suspect were up against it! Lent just seems to evoke so many negtives: that its all about giving things up or simply about focusing on sin. Not a hugely attractive prospect for most people! Yet, for centuries, Christians have found these forty days from Ash Wednesday (22nd February this year) to Easter weekend to be hugely significant times of life transformation and spiritual renewal. Jesus said that he came to bring us life in all its fullness. So how can we make Lent a time for more living, not less?

vicar's letter ~ february 2012

ow about trying just one of the events and resources that make up Living Lent this year? Weve got four ways of engaging with Lent to suggest: any one of which could have a significant impact on our spiritual lives, the life of our familes and the life of All Souls. What might you choose to do? Theres a broad range of ideas, in the hope that theres not a soul in All Souls who couldnt find one thing thats genuinely doable to be involved in Living Lent. What do you think..?

prayer gatherings
Six opportunities in Lent to gather for creative prayer - each time with a different focus: from The Ivybridge Estate, to local schools, Little Souls and even a mens breakfast! Which will you come to?

a book for lent

Were promoting a wonderful thought-provoking walk through the Gospel of Mark by Bishop Tom Wright (with a regular blog from me). You could use it for your own daily reading (a few minutes each day) or get a group of friends to meet weekly in Lent to talk what theyve read. More ideas for books to choose online Pick your time of day - whether with morning coffee or an evening pint!

digging deeper
Come to one or both of the two evenings Ill be leading on prayer. Well tackle two very different subjects: Children and Prayer and then Listening to God. As ever, theyll be small group rolling conversations with plenty to think about and to take away.

practical steps
Were giving away a booklet of ideas for families Love Life, Live Lent, with great practical ideas for marking Lent and also promoting Tearfunds Carbon Fast, to help us live simpler and more sustainable lives, starting this Lent. iving Lent starts with worship, reflection and prayer ministry on Wednesday 22nd February (Ash Wednesday) from 8pm. Itll be a great opportunity across both congregations to enjoy some space and time for song and for prayer. I really hope youll be there. During Holy Week itself, well have Maundy Thursday Communion at 8pm - another opportunity to meet, worship and pray, sharing the bread and wine together as we remember Jesus Last Supper. There are details of all the plans, resources and suggestions in the accompanying leaflet and even more online - do go and take a look, put some dates in your diary and perhaps buy the Lent book or click to let us know youre coming to a Digging Deeper evening.

P.S. If youre in a Home Group, why not ask around to see what others are doing for Living Lent?