Wednesday 26 February 2025

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

This coming Sunday is the last Sunday before Lent when we remember the glory of Jesus' Transfiguration on the mountain, before we then look ahead to his suffering on the cross.

LENT

• Ash Wednesday, 5th March. There will be a special Eucharist at 6.30pm, which will include time for self-examination and confession and the traditional ashing. This is an important day in the church year so do come along if you can. NB If anyone has an old Palm Cross, please could you bring it with you on Sunday for us to use to make the ash.
• Morning Prayer (online): During Lent, we will be saying Morning Prayer together at 8.30am, Monday - Thursday, via zoom. This will start on Monday 10th March. Do join us. If you would like to know more about this, please do ask.
• Lent Quiet Morning: I will be leading a Quiet Morning with reflection on Scripture, silence and prayer on Saturday 15th March, 9.30-1pm (in church). This offers an opportunity for space, silence and prayer in the midst of our busy lives. Please let me know if you would like to come.
• Joining a House Group during Lent: If you are interested in joining a house group during the period of Lent, please let me know as soon as possible. These meetings include Bible study, sharing concerns, and praying together.
• Nicene Creed: There is material produced by the Diocese reflecting on the Nicene Creed. If anyone is interested in more information, let me know.

Eco Report and Next Steps
Thank you again to all of you who attended the recent Eco Forum.
I attach a short report from the EcoGroup which includes a summary of the results of the survey and outlines our next steps which include a variety of activities. You can also sign up to receive further resources.

Electoral Roll
Would you like to be on our electoral roll? This means you can vote at our Annual General Meeting. You need to be baptised but you don't have to be an Anglican: you can be a baptised member of any church in communion with the Anglican church. You need to have worshipped with us regularly for at least 6 months.
The deadline for completing the form to join the electoral roll is THIS SUNDAY, 2nd March. Please ask Tricia or me for more information.

New Suffragan Bishop in the Diocese of Europe
Tomorrow morning, Thursday 27th February, 12 noon (our time), Canon Andrew Norman will be consecrated Bishop for the Diocese in Europe (together with new Bishops of Reading, Buckingham and Aston). This will take place in Canterbury Cathedral. You will be able watch the service here.
Let us pray for our new Bishop Andrew and his family, as he is formally welcomed to the Diocese in Europe at his Installation in Holy Trinity Gibraltar, on Sunday 2nd March.
Bishop Andrew will work alongside our Diocesan Bishop, Bishop Robert.

Suffering and Glory
On Sunday, we remember Jesus' Transfiguration on the mountain when the disciples see his glory. Jesus' glory is revealed before he journeys on to Jerusalem, where he will suffer and die. We see both suffering and glory in Jesus' life, death and resurrection, and as his disciples we are called to share in both his suffering and his glory. I leave you with the collect for this Sunday.

Almighty Father, whose Son was revealed in majesty before he suffered death upon the cross: give us grace to perceive his glory, that we may be strengthened to suffer with him and be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

With love in Christ,
Helen