FROM ST GILES’ CLERGY
It’s the beginning of half term as I write, earlier than in previous years. Lent has also arrived sooner than many expected. Some people argue for a set date for Easter as there is for Christmas; however, one benefit of the ‘unpredictable’ date of Lent and Easter is to help Christians react freshly to it each year. Familiarity can so easily breed contempt, and that’s the last thing we would wish to show concerning the death and resurrection of Jesus.
This year, I’m using the strap-line ‘give, up, take up, give away, take away’ as a way of structuring Lent. It’s not too late to get involved even though it began on 17th February. Elsewhere in ICN, you’ll find details of what the churches are offering, with fuller details shown on the St Giles’ church website.
Could you give up something this Lent? The point of this is not to lose weight by giving up chocolate, to rest more by giving up working long hours, or to make more time by giving up TV. The value of giving something up in Lent is to acknowledge that we don’t depend on that thing; that our dependency is on God alone.
Could you take up something this Lent? More specifically, could you take up longer times of prayer? I don’t mean lengthening the list of things we want to ask God for, but rather extending the time we spend with Him. One simple way is to read a verse from a Psalm, and let God speak through these words to you as you linger in his presence. It’s a kind of ‘loitering with intent’ with God!
Could you give away something this Lent? Traditionally this has been money, but it wouldn’t have to be. But it is good to give sacrificially and willingly, to associate with the costly loving sacrifice for our sin that Jesus made for us on the cross. Regulars at St Giles’ will know that we are coinciding Lent with a planned giving renewal, and also have identified Christian Aid to receive our special Lent offerings.
Finally, what will you take away from Lent? By observing the previous three, we will discover more about God and ourselves. Through this ‘spiritual MOT’, perhaps you will identify something new that you have discovered about God and yourself to take away from Lent into the months that follow.
I wish you God’s blessing as you give up, take up, give away, and take away this Lent.
Adrian
FROM THE URC MINISTER
“How can I connect with the creator of the universe?” Many people have sought their answers to this question, and explored different possibilities.
As Christians we say that the creator has taken the initiative to connect with people. The creative word took human form in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus connected to the force he described as his Father through prayer. And he taught his followers that we too could pray to our Father in heaven.
Whether spoken out loud or thought in our minds, we can be in touch with the creator of the universe: expressing our wonder and praise, or pouring out our desperation or longing, concerns for others or hopes for the world. Prayer can also be a way to receive guidance and prompting, understanding and wisdom, courage and confidence. The connection is two way. Prayer like this can be individual and personal, or it can be shared with others praying together. It can be spontaneous at any time, or it can be planned.
I am writing this article for ICN exactly half way between Christmas and Easter. Christmas is the celebration of Jesus being born as Mary’s baby and son of God. Easter (this year on Sunday 4th April) is the celebration of Jesus rising to life in a new bodily form after his death by crucifixion.
The good news is that through Jesus’ death the barriers of separation between us and the creator, caused by neglect or opposition to his purpose for life, are overcome. The way to new life is open to us through God’s gracious forgiveness and faith. We can be connected again. No wonder the day on which he died is called Good Friday, and the week of those events is called Holy Week.
During Holy Week this year you will have a new opportunity to explore personal prayer. Ickenham URC will be open on the last three days of March. Around the church you will find resources and displays to focus your thoughts on key events of that special week in Jesus’ life, and to prompt your prayers about related features of your own life or current issues.
Times of these and other occasions at the two churches during Holy Week are listed on the front page of ICN. You will be very welcome. We hope you enjoy developing the connections that your creator has made possible.
Bernie
FROM THE CHURCHES’ REGISTERS
Baptisms at St Giles’
Jan 24th Emily May Whittaker
Thomas George Hunter
ST GILES’ CHURCH STREET PRAYER LIST
Each Sunday at St Giles’ Church we pray for all the people who live or work in a particular road in the Parish. During March we will pray for the following roads:
Mar 7th Gilmore Close
Mar 14th Grove Close
Mar 21st Glebe Avenue
Mar 28th Glebe Close
If you live in one of these roads why not join us at our 8am or 9.45am services? You will be most welcome.
LENT GROUPS AND MEDITATIONS
Over the course of Lent this year, the Churches’ joint Lent Groups are exploring five different spiritual ‘travel’ essentials for our journey of faith, using passages from John’s Gospel. Although the groups will have met for the first time during the last week of February, it is still possible to ‘join in the rest of the journey’ in March.
Separate small groups meet at different times and days in the week – on Monday evenings, Tuesday mornings or evenings, and Thursday afternoons or evenings - so if you are interested, there is hopefully one to suit you. Email Stephanie White in the St Giles’ Church Office at office@stgileschurch.co.uk or call her on 01895 622971 for more details and to get involved.
Another series of events – Midweek Meditations – should provide a quiet time and place for contemplation each Wednesday. At 8pm in St Giles’ Church on 24th Feb, and then on 3rd, 10th and 17th March, use will be made of silence, visual images and music, followed by the short reflective service of night prayer, traditionally known as Compline.
