Zetland Park Methodist Church Pastoral Letters
February 2017
Approaching Lent
The other night I drove passed one of my Chapels and was surprised by the number of cars parked up outside and reflected to myself how wonderful it would be if the same was true on a Sunday! I then realised that the crowds would be at one of the keepfit/ slimmers type events which several of my churches allow to use their facilities. The thought process moved on to thinking about how much time and effort, generally speaking in the UK, we put into keeping ourselves fit and in trim through exercise, watching our weight and our diet, even down to some spending huge sums on so-called age-defying creams!
I was then filled with sadness that the same is not true of how we care for our Spiritual wellbeing, generally speaking. But fear not, a Christian season is at hand to help us! It starts on Ash Wednesday (1st March this year) and, loosely speaking, concludes with Holy Week. Yes, I am talking of Lent. In my childhood, Lent always had a very negative feel with the idea of having to give things up, often enjoyable things like sweets, but in more recent years the Church has been trying to re-establish the season as a positive and creative time.
But let not the fact that we so easily follow the secular world by bringing out our Christmas decorations as early as they do from stopping us from engaging with the true themes of Advent which are focused upon the requirement for the followers of Jesus to be ready to receive him in this world at this time.
The focus of the season is actually to examine our lives in the light of Jesus' teaching. Yes, there is the idea of fasting or giving things up, not because God wants to see us miserable but rather so we can find more time and space to spiritually develop. So, I might give up watching something on TV but only so I have more time to read an inspiring book. I might give up a treat, but only so I can give the money I save to help someone in need. The focus is all positive and all so I can grow in faith and understanding and in compassion towards others. I guess you could see the 'giving things up' as a bit like pruning a plant, so it has a better chance to grow well and bear more fruit!
So we start with our 7 pm Communion service at Marske on Ash Wednesday (with Revd Helena leading) and then have the opportunity to share in a Lent course for all my churches which, this year will be held at 7-30 pm on Thursdays 2nd, 16th, 23rd & 30th March, & 6th April, again at Marske, so we can start with a drink. The course "Receiving Christ" is a new York Course and if you cannot make all the sessions, don't worry, it won't matter - each session is separate. Just remember, this is course for anyone who wants to come and grow in faith!
I wish you a fruitful Lent.