Lent 2018: the mysteries of the love of God

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the 40 days of preparation leading to the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ at Easter. These days give us an opportunity to focus on our faith: to consciously seek to place ourselves in God’s nearer presence and ask the gift of going deeper into the mysteries of the love of God for each of us.

Wonderfully this year we have a choice of four evening study groups as well as the daytime course at St Matthew’s and our regular Tuesday Christian meditation. Please sign up at the back of either church … and prepare to be enriched.

  • starting Mon 19 February, 7.30 pm, at Springhill Cottage, Stockbridge Road, leaders Julie and Chris Sharp: a Lent course based on Victor Hugo’s epic Les Misérables, using some of the characters to explore the grace of God, alongside our fallen state and opportunities for redemption; and an opportunity to reassess what we can do with our lives, both for ourselves and for those around us
  • starting Tues 20 February, 7.30 pm, at 8 Wentworth Grange, leaders Sheila and David Wilson: The Mystery of Everything, a Lent course by Hilary Brand that takes as its starting point the multi-award-winning film about Stephen Hawking, The Theory of Everything
  • every Tuesday, 7.30 pm, in the parish rooms: Christian meditation continues throughout Lent and welcomes anyone interested in exploring this – a chance to come as you are and to rest in God’s presence
  • starting Wed 21 February, 10 am, at St Matthew’s (various leaders): York Course on ‘These three … faith, hope and love’
  • starting Wed 21 February, 7.45 for 8 pm, ending 9.45 latest, at 21b Bereweeke Avenue, leader Susie Richardson: The Bible Course, a contemporary overview of the books and characters in the world’s bestseller, looking at how the Bible applies to our lives; suitable for those with no knowledge or lots
  • starting Thurs 22 February, 7.30 for 7.45 pm, at Pheasants Way, Sarum Road, leaders Peter and Irene Casey: Christ and the Chocolaterie, a Lent course by Hilary Brand based on the film Chocolat; preceded by a screening of Chocolat on Thurs 15 February, 7.30 for 7.45 pm

I choose kindness … I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

Max Lucado