Dear Friends,

The season of Lent is historically a time of preparation for the Easter feast. The keeping of Lent is popularly associated with “giving something up”, however, fasting, prayer, and acts of service more correctly characterise it. What is important in Lent is that we take to heart the call to repentance and the assurance of forgiveness that is proclaimed in the gospel and that we use the season of Lent to help us to grow in faith and in devotion to our Lord. During Lent at St Andrew’s this year there are services, activities and our Lent Course which are designed to help us to do just that, and to learn how to follow Jesus more closely in our daily lives.

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (17^th February) at our 8pm Holy Eucharist. At this service through the Imposition of Ashes we are invited to look inwards at our lives, and to be realistic about our failings, seeking forgiveness, renewal, and growth in our faith.Another sign of this ongoing forgiveness is the sprinkling that will take place as part of the absolution at the 10.30am Parish Eucharist every Sunday in Lent. This is something new at St Andrew’s and I hope that it will help you to enter fully into the season of repentance - the water reminds us of our Baptism and the promises that were made for us. It is also a reminder that because of Christ’s passion and death, we can always receive God’s forgiveness, and be “washed clean” of our misdeeds and made whole in Jesus. Every day in Lent there are services to which all are invited. There will also be the opportunity to make a confession, or to have some quiet prayer time with me in the Lady Chapel on Saturday morning.

Lent is not just about us though. We are also invited to look outwards at what we can do for the church and for others, especially those in need, by committing ourselves to acts of service and giving. This year the Bishop of London’s Lent Appeal is geared towards transforming the lives of children in Angola and Mozambique. There are details at the back of church as to how to support this. We are also continuing to collect for Christian Aid’s Haiti Earthquake Appeal. Lent is also a good time to for us to consider our Stewardship Giving to St Andrew’s, as we, as a church, are facing financial difficulties in the coming year.

 Please do make good use of this season, and together let us prepare ourselves to celebrate the joys of Easter and the hope that we are given through Christ’s resurrection, of everlasting life.

With my love and prayers,

Fr Matthew

Vicar