From the Parish Registers

Wise Reading for Lent

By the time you read this our Lent Course will have started, but it will still be possible to join a group, or to get a copy of the book and read it at home. This year we, Churches Together in Wrington, etc, have chosen to use "Lentwise" by Paula Gooder, the person who led such an outstandingly enriching weekend here in December.

This is an inspiring and practical course for groups of all ages and biblical experience, designed to help us deal with the rigours of real life.

Using fresh insights from John's Gospel, Paula Gooder, herself a wife and mother of young children, takes us on an exploration of five different Spiritual Essentials for our journey of faith.

Details of the course, including the eight different groups meeting each week, are available from all our churches, and are also on the village website (as are details of the Alpha course that is also taking place at this time). Copies of this very helpful book can be obtained by phoning the Church Office on 01934-861294, price £4.50 (a saving of 50p)

A Tuesday Oasis of Peace

This Lent we are offering again the lovely service of Compline each Tuesday evening at 7.30pm in All
Saints. Compline originated as a "spiritual nightcap" for monks in the Middle Ages - an opportunity to be still for a space, reflect on the events of the past day, and give thanks for the peace and comfort which God offers to all. These services last no more than half an hour, and include a brief reflection on a popular psalm.

For 2½ thousand years the Psalms have been an invaluable spiritual resource in good times and bad for people to reflect on, and get their lives into perspective. In our present confusing and troubled world, they continue to offer enduring encouragement, wisdom, insight and strength. If you have not experienced Compline before, we invite you to give it a try.

Women's World Day of Prayer - Friday 5 March

The origins of the Women's World Day of Prayer date back to the 19th century, when Christian women in the USA and Canada initiated a variety of activities in support of women's involvement in mission at home and abroad. Over the years, this developed into an international ecumenical Day of Prayer on the first Friday in March, and each year the service is prepared by women from a different country.

Last year about 5,000 such services were held in England and Wales alone, and countless numbers around the world, and in these egalitarian days men are welcome too, of course.

This year's service has been devised by the women of the Cameroon in West Africa, with the title 'Let Everything That Has Breath Praise God'. It will be held at 2.45pm in All Saints' and all are most welcome.

As I wrote last month, we are currently holding consultations regarding the future of Christ Church, in the light of the ongoing problems with the roof, and the fact that current income does not meet the full cost of maintaining the ministry there. None of us wants to see Christ Church close, so, following my letter to all members of the congregation and all residents of Redhill, there will be an open meeting in Redhill Club on Sunday 11 April at 7.00pm.

I must point out, of course, that whatever happens the churchyard will remain open as a place of Christian burial and repose. Also, we have every intention, when Tom moves to Wrington in the next couple of months, to advertise for another "house for duty" priest to take his place.

I do hope all who wish to see Christ Church remain open will make their support known to us, and will be present at this meeting. Sadly, without more offers of support than we have received to date, the future of the church looks bleak.

Nicholas Maddock
Rector