Dear Friends,
This Sunday we will be sharing a Lent Lunch of soup and bread. I’ve “volunteered” my husband – he does a good lentil and tomato. I’m looking forward to spending time with our St Nicolas family over lunch.
It is estimated that humans first started cooking around 1.8 million years ago. From the start, it was a social enterprise, with people sharing the tasks of hunting, gathering and preparing food, keeping the fire going and so on. There was then time for bonding around the campfire as the food is shared. Studies show that eating together increases our levels of endorphins, our natural feel-good hormones. The World Happiness Report 2025 suggests that sharing a meal is one of the best things we can do for our wellbeing.
Every week, of course, we do share a meal together during Communion. I find it something that is good for my wellbeing. I’ve been following the Church of England’s “Draw Near” Lent resources on the Everyday Faith app. Last week, Jessica Martin, Dean of Chelmsford, talked about Communion. She said, and I paraphrase, in sharing communion we, collectively, become the body of Christ. We are part of a very special family. We are here to share God’s love, with each other and with the community.
So, maybe we’ll share lunch together on Sunday. Or maybe you have other plans. Or maybe it’s really not your thing. And that’s OK. In the words of Sister Sledge, “We Are Family”. And we share the most important meal together.
Yours, giving love in family dose*
Wendy
* “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge, written by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards.