Weekly Update: 23rd February
At the end of January, I spent a week walking in Derbyshire. The weather was varied, as to be expected for the time of year, but on one particular day the sun was shining and giving a sense of anticipation for spring. As I walked through a small village there was a chapel with a large poster to the side of the entrance door proclaiming the words “Nothing is impossible with God”. It struck me as I reflected on the coming of springtime, a time when everything around us is bursting into new life and we look forward to a fruitful future, those words should remind us not to allow ourselves to be limited in our thinking of what can be achieved in the future through faith.
We will soon be in Lent, and this week I received an email telling me about the Church of England Lent Reflections that will available each day through the time of Lent. The words of invitation took me back to the words on the poster.
“This Lent we are encouraged to put down deep roots of hope by connecting with God who is with us at all times. In Lent we journey with Jesus on the difficult and thorny road that leads all the way to the cross on Good Friday – and beyond, to the transformation of Easter Day.
God invites us to bring to him our own journey through everyday life. In the disappointment of daily setbacks and the pain of deeper hurts, we discover that God is present with us. And God promises a future where all things are healed and made new.”
Words of encouragement to root ourselves with hope and connect deeply with God, who promises a future where all things are healed and made new; with God nothing is impossible.
In just over a month, Revd Claude will be with us; joining us on our journey as we move forward with hope for our future life and mission here at St Nicholas and at St Pauls. Over the coming weeks we will be transitioning out of interregnum. The two hub teams, St Nicholas and St Pauls, are coming together on Monday 24th February at 7.30pm at St Nicholas Church, for an informal service of prayer as we prepare for Revd Claude to join us and lead us onwards. You are welcome to join. God has guided us all in the last two years and now invites us not to be limited in what we think can be achieved. Do we have faith that nothing is impossible?
Please remember Revd Claude’s Licensing Service, led by the Bishop of Dover, on Monday 24th March at 7pm. The service is being held at St Paul’s Church as this is a slightly larger church and is able to seat more people. So please come and welcome Revd Claude to our parishes.
I mentioned Lent. St Nicholas and St Pauls churches are running a Lent Course: “Teach us to Pray”, which explores all aspects of prayer life. The course will be held on Mondays at St Nicholas Church at 7.30pm or alternatively on Wednesday morning at St Pauls. If you are interested in joining one of these groups, then please sign the list at the back of church. We are providing printed copies of the resource booklet, which is why we need to know who might be joining.
Finally, on Ash Wednesday there will be a 10am Communion at St Nicholas Church. For those who cannot make a daytime service there is a 7.30pm Communion at St Pauls.
Nigel
Churchwarden
