This Month
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LENT 2012
The season of Lent begins on 22 February, Ash Wednesday. Lent started as a preparation for Easter—especially for those getting ready for Baptism and Confirmation. In the very early days of the Church, Christians faced considerable opposition, possibly even imprisonment and death, from the civil authorities. If you were risk death for your faith you needed to know what, or more importantly Who you were dying for. In twenty-first century Britain we can be tempted to think that we face no such problems, but I wonder? There are still many parts of the globe where it can be dangerous to be Christian but even own culture offers a steady drip-feed of cynicism, secularism and temptation. We need to know our faith—not just in an intellectual way (though that is necessary) but more importantly in terms of a deep spiritual confidence that forms us into Christ-like people for the sake of others. By the end of the Roman Empire Christianity had become the official religion. The Church rapidly discovered that now we faced an equally dangerous if more subtle set of problems. It became fashionable to be Christian so Christian faith and Christian witness began to be watered down. Discipleship became half-hearted and undemanding—a mere fashionable “going to Church”, a good middle-class thing to do—we still suffer from this to some extent! Note that phrase “going to Church”. No early Christian would have used it—because they knew that we who are baptized ARE the Church engaged in Christ’s mission . Lent became a time to try to develop and foster higher standards of Christian discipleship.
During the six weeks of Lent candidates for baptism (all adults, then) would meet daily (yes, daily!) with the Bishop or parish priest and discuss the essentials of the faith working out how best each person might grow in prayer and holiness. On Easter Eve everyone gathered late at night to celebrate Christ's Resurrection. In the darkness the Easter Candle is lit, baptism candidates are led down into the waters of the font. There the old self (all in us opposed to God) is buried in the baptismal waters. The new self, the gift of the Holy Spirit in us, is raised in the Easter Christ. The naked candidates (a sign of stripping away all that is unpleasing to God) are marked in oil with the sign of the Cross—thus Confirming their Baptism. They are clothed with a new white garment (the candidatus, hence “Confirmation Candidate”) and for the very first time take their full part in the celebration of the Eucharist as a member of the Laos (the whole people of God). This Lent we in Gosforth St. Nicholas have an opportunity to explore some of this spiritual richness .
On Tuesdays in Lent (starting on Shrove Tuesday) we will gather for Who should come? The intention is that our Eucharist readings on Sundays in Lent will be read by those who have reflected and prepared together on the Tuesday. Similarly our intercessions will be offered those who have been together on Tuesday evenings to prepare. Maybe you have thought about taking part in one of these ministries but never had the courage to put yourself forward? Now is the time to act. Or maybe you would value the opportunity to know more deeply what Sunday Eucharist readings and prayers are really all about—here’s your chance. Or maybe you are prepared to help get Eucharist ready “behind the scenes” and would like to know how and why? Again, this Lent is for you. Can I also encourage those who already read lessons, or help with intercessions, or are Lay Communion assistants, Lay pastors, Sunday School “teachers” to join in this exciting Lent preparation?
Key Tuesday dates are:
Lent 2012 could be a real growth moment in the story of our church—but that depends on YOU responding to this invitation. Please come. As we used once to say, “Keep a Good Lent” - for yourself, for all of us, for God.
FEBRUARY DIARY
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