Dear Friends,
I’m back from my travels (India again), trying to come to terms with grey skies after the wonderful blue, and recognising how fortunate I am be able to do this. I’m also slightly surprised that Lent starts next week.
First there’s Pancake Day. I love pancakes, with the traditional topping of lemon and sugar please. Pancake Day brings back memories of my Mom, standing over a hot frying pan, flipping the pancakes, never dropping any, and the squeezy plastic lemon that only ever saw action once a year – no fresh lemons in the industrial West Midlands in them days.
Then Ash Wednesday. The imposition of the ashes and accompanying words, “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” So profound.
Then Lent itself. Am I going to give up something, and if so what? And how should I use this special time to reflect and draw closer to God?
St Nicolas is providing two opportunities during Lent. The Lent Course will meet in the Church on Monday evenings at 7:30 from 16 February, using material from the Diocese of Oxford’s “Come and See” course, about how we can meet Jesus in the Eucharist. Many years ago, when Dan Tyndall was our vicar, St Nicolas ran a course called “Faith’s Journey”. The session in the Eucharist was led by our dear David Webster, and I shall always remember how he described the privilege he felt administering the Eucharist, at a moment when Heaven and Earth are so close. I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s life has been enriched by David and his ministry.
For personal devotion, we are recommending the Church of England’s “Draw Near: Life Giving Habits for Lent”, which this year explores the theme of the rhythm of life. This is available online or through the CofE’s “Everyday Faith” app. We’ll be sharing the reflections everyday on our social media too.
However we choose to travel through Lent this year, let us remember that if we “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you”, James 4.8.
Yours, this week with pancakes,
Wendy
Wendy Neale, Churchwarden