Tuesday 1 March 2022

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Lent begins tomorrow. I hope we can all think about how to use this time for prayer, reflection and growth. Let us pray for ourselves, our church and our needy world. The suffering of the people of Ukraine and the insecurity in Europe will no doubt be uppermost in all of our minds. There are various opportunities to pray together about this as you will see below.

Shrove Tuesday Pancakes, 6pm THIS EVENING
This evening, before Lent begins, you are invited to join us for savoury and sweet pancakes in the Upper Hall from 6pm.

Diocese in Europe Service for Ukraine, 7pm, THIS EVENING
This evening there will be a special service led by the Chaplain in Moscow and the Chaplain in Kyiv. People from across Europe and many from the Church of England will be participating. Everyone is invited. You can watch the service through the YouTube link here: YouTube Diocese in Europe Ukraine Service
I also attach an invitation from the Bishop.
For those who come for pancakes, we hope to show the service afterwards on the beamer in church, so that we can watch it together. But you can also watch it at home.

Ash Wednesday, 2nd March
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have encouraged us to join with the wider church in responding to Pope Francis' call for all Christians to make this a day of fasting and prayer for the people of Ukraine.

In the evening, 6.30pm, we will have our Ash Wednesday Eucharist with prayers for penitence. This is a very important day in the life of the church, so please do come if you can.

Sunday 6th March is the first Sunday of Lent
Do come along. We hope to see many families and children as there will be Junior Church and crèche.
If you are not able to attend the service at church, you can listen to it online at https://www.stursula.ch/Services/. Many thanks to Hector, Art and Martin.

Lent Prayer and Fasting Day, 9th March
Prayer with fasting is a traditional Christian discipline. If you have never tried fasting before I encourage you to join us for this day. I will provide material for prayer and reflection during the day as we pray for ourselves, our church and our world. Those taking part are invited to meet online, via zoom, three times during the day (9am, 1pm and 5pm) for some short prayers and an opportunity to share our reflections together. If you would like to know more, please let me know.
NB I know that for some people fasting is not advisable for health reasons. There are different kinds of fast, however, and even if we cannot set aside a day without food, we can cut down on food, and we can also fast from other things that may be addictive in order to help us to focus on God.

I attach some notes on the Christian discipline of fasting which I used for a study session in my first year here at St Ursula's. You may find these helpful in thinking further about this.

Spring Sale
The Spring Sale will be held on Saturday 12th March, 10am - 2pm.
Do come along and enjoy the book stall and food stall. There will also be a curry served for lunch and many delicious cakes to buy. Please bring your friends and family.
The online sale site is now open to pre-order goods.

Memorial for David Winfield
There will be a special service to give thanks for David's life and to pray for Barbara and the family on Saturday 9th April, 2.30p.m. Please let the office know if you would like to attend as we need to know numbers.

>A Prayer for Peacea
Almighty God,
from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed:
kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all, the true love of peace
and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom
those who take counsel for the nations of the earth
that in tranquility your kingdom may go forward,
till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

With love in Christ,
Helen