March 2013

Rectory Ramblings

If I were to use the name “Lenten lily”, I wonder what would come to your mind? All too often we would react rather negatively and wonder what I was talking about. After all, Lent is a season without flowers in Church, isn’t it?

In fact the Lenten Lily is our old friend the daffodil: not the modern variety that we buy in the flower shops, but the old English variety, beloved of Wordsworth in his famous poem “I wandered lonely as a cloud,/ that floats on high o’er vales and hills”. The daffodil has always been the harbinger of Spring of course – a foretaste of new life and new beginnings – and perhaps, just perhaps, that ought to be the way we think of Lent

All too often we gain the impression of Lent being a season of sackcloth and ashes: a time to make ourselves so thoroughly miserable that Easter comes as a welcome release! But I wonder what Jesus of Nazareth would make of such a notion? In fact the origins of Lent are quite different: in the Early Church there was only one season for baptism – Easter – and Lent was a time of preparation, a time of looking forward to new life and new beginnings – a far healthier way of thinking I believe

So this year we are trying to grapple with some of the hot potatoes of our time: the challenge of aggressive atheism; the minefield of Human sexuality: the differing forma of Spirituality that are available to us these days and the like. If you have not had the opportunity to pick up one of our Lenten leaflets from our churches, then please do so – and come and join us on a Wednesday evening! We don’t promise to give you all the answers, but we hope to trigger a lively and prayerful debate, giving a starting ground for our thinking

Of course, this month will also end in the Easter season – the very pivot and nexus of the Christian faith. As usual there will be a variety of activities and worship in Holy Week that will help us to focus on the awesome meaning of Calvary and Gethsemane. Do come and join us for some rather special services

Ian Cardinal

Intercessions

The Bells of St Michael & St Wulfad

By the time you read this, the Bells should be re-hung in the tower, and almost ready to ring again. The first “formal” occasion of their ringing is hoped to be on Easter Morning and we look forward to restoring the 1,000 year-old tradition on that rather special day

The Aston development project

Going to Church at Aston has been a rather “interesting” experience these last few weeks and we would wish to thank everyone for their patience and forbearance as the worst of the disruption has occurred. Nevertheless, as I write the balcony is taking shape and looks to be a rather beautiful addition to the Church, let alone the additional facilities it will yield. Thanks to everyone for their vigorous help in this period!

Thank you

Can I say a very big thanks to everyone for their patience and support for my family and me at the beginning of this year? We suffered 3 close family bereavements altogether, one of which was in particularly horrific circumstances. The cards, gifts, flowers and prayers all helped to sustain us and we are extremely grateful.

Lent Course in March

6th March – “All in this together”? - The

Challenge of Mission and Unity—The Rev’d

Michael Harding

13th March – Let’s all go green  - Creation

ethics & economics—The Rev’d Ian Cardinal

20th March –“ I’m Spiritual, not religious!” – a

confused statement? - The Rev’d Ian Cardinal

Holy Week Services

Monday 25^th March Holy Communion 7.30pm in St Michael & St Wulfad’s

Tuesday 26^th Holy Communion 9.30am St Michael & St Wulfad’s

Wednesday 27^th Holy Communion 6.00 pm St Saviour’s, Aston

(subject to alteration!)

MAUNDY THURSDAY 28^th March

7.30pm Eucharist of the Last Supper

& Watch of the Passion till Midnight St Michael & St Wulfad’s

GOOD FRIDAY 29^th March

10am Procession of Witness starting from St Michael & St Wulfad’s

12 Noon Liturgy of the Cross – St Michael & St Wulfad’s

12 Noon Good Friday service – St Saviour’s

EASTER DAY 31^st March

6.00am Service of light, Easter Vigil and first Eucharist of Easter

Followed by Paschal breakfast

St Michael & St Wulfad’s

8am Holy Communion St Michael & St Wulfad’s

9.15 am Holy Communion St Saviour’s

10.45am Festal Sung Eucharist St Michael & St Wulfad’s