Ash Wednesday

Day 10 Leviticus 25:48 - Numbers 7:74

Day 11 Numbers 7:75 - Numbers 20:12
Day 12 Numbers 20:13 - Numbers 31:37

Lent may originally have followed Epiphany, just as Jesus’ sojourn in the wilderness followed immediately on his baptism, but it soon became firmly attached to Easter, as the principal occasion for baptism and for the reconciliation of those who had been excluded from the Church’s fellowship for apostasy or serious faults. This history explains the characteristic notes of Lent – self-examination, penitence, self-denial, study, and preparation for Easter, to which almsgiving has traditionally been added. (Church of England)

Baptismal pool, Paranthan Methodist church. 

So today was Ash Wednesday,  I knew when I requested these dates for sabbatical that it would take me out of circuit for the period of Lent and Easter, Pentecost and Trinity. 

College today entered into a day of retreat, silent for the most part interspaced with three sessions of input - not always easy to understand though the gist of it (my take at least) revolved around our own preparation, our reflection upon God the nature and purpose of Christ's passion and how we might use the season of Lent as a spring board for our ministry in the future. 

It will come as no surprise to discover that the notion of giving up chocolate or alcohol during this penitential season is not high on the list of these theological, ministerial students here. 

In the Methodist worship book, “Ash Wednesday  Service,” like the text above drawn from the Anglican church, we are invited to observe this holy season of Lent, by prayer, self-denial and charitable giving; by self-examination and repentance; and by reading and meditating on God’s word.

This is a season of opportunity in so many ways, to be imaginative; daring; exploratory; this season leading up to Easter is probably the most important in our church calendar and for many it will pass hardly noticed. 

So what are you going to do this Lenten season?
What are you going to encourage your church to do (it's not too late!)

What is the message to the people in your community this season, how are we going to communicate the most important beautiful, message at this the most important beautiful time – that they are loved of God and he promises life in all its fullness, that this is the Christmas story writ large. 

For those who attended, I hope that the retreat shared at Glazebury last Saturday may have provided it's own springboard into Lent for you.

Then at the end of our day retreat, the college community of faculty, students, spouses, children and visitors gathered in the chapel for the a
Ash Wednesday service followed by Holy Communion.
It was a pleasure to preside. 

Rice in the paddy fields waiting to be harvested 

Today I invite your prayers for yourself,  your own church context, your own Lenten journey praying that God will produce in you the harvest. 
(Phillipians 1:3-11)