Dear Friends,
Have you managed to keep the resolutions you made on New Year’s Eve?
We are just over a month into the new year, and I know my resolve has weakened. But do not despair, there is another season coming which may help us.
The season of Lent, which starts on the 18th February. The name comes from the old English for lengthening of the day which is of course true. But I suggest it is also an opportunity for us to renew our resolve about our resolutions and go wider. Commonly there is talk of giving up things for Lent, and there is the link with our new year resolutions they too are often about stopping doing things. So this is your chance to renew your resolutions.
But it can also go wider, how about taking something up for Lent, as well as focusing on ourselves (with our resolutions), we could focus on others, in our community.
Each day of Lent, do something extra for someone else, or the community. It doesn’t need to be a big thing, it’s as simple as smiling at 5 people, putting 50p a side for a charity for example. It is your choice. I have found that often it is easier to keep on with a positive action rather than a negative one.
Traditionally Lent was a period of preparation for baptism at Easter, a time of prayer, study, reflection and discipline, so taking something up would fit with that idea well. Maybe this year instead of asking what someone is giving up ask what they are taking up for Lent. You might get some interesting ideas.
Finally thank you all for the welcome you have given me, there were lovely flowers, a food hamper and cards in the manse when I arrived. I already feel very much at home in the area and in the three congregations. The manse feels like home although not completely sorted yet, it is wise to take time before buying new furniture etc.
I am in the process of trying to establish a work pattern so that I can get to know folk, the activities and groups that use our buildings and the wider communities. The only fixed point is Friday which is usually my day off.
I hope that as the days lengthen we can enjoy the Spring as we take up a Lenten challenge or discipline.
Alison