Ash Wednesday

Today sees the start of the solemn Season of Lent. This holy season begins with the blessing and distribution of ashes - hardly one's favourite ceremony of the Church's Year! When distributing ash I always use the first formula 'Turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel.' Few us look forward to the start of Lent - but from Ash Wednesday our eyes are firmly fixed on Easter - and that is something to look forward to.

As the days begin to lengthen, we should grow in faith. We can do that, of course, precisely by turning away from sin and being faithful to the gospel. A good prayer to use today is the prayer used at the blessing of the ashes.

Lord, bless the sinner who asks for your forgiveness, and bless all those who receive these ashes. May they keep this lenten season in preparation for the joy of Easter. Amen.

Have a Holy Lent! I shall be posting plenty of examples of gospel teaching during this season.

Farewell to Alleluia!

This lovely ceramic sits on the wall outside the entrance to the Chapel - but it wont do for much longer! Alleluia is the song of joy which resounds through our servies in the Chapel - but it is forbidden to use the word at liturgical services during the season of Lent. So we shall shortly be bidding farewell to this song of joy, and the ceramic will have to be removed.

Fear not - it will return on Easter Sunday, and the abundance of alleluias during the fifty days of Easter feasting will more than make up for its absence during the forty days of Lenten fasting!

Fishers of Men

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea - for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men." And immediately they left their nets and followed him.

Jesus still calls men and women, boys and girls today. Are our ears attuned to his voice?

Winter Foliage

I am sure that most of us are looking forward to spring and seeing the daffodils in bloom. However, winter, like all seasons, has its good points. Here is a beautiful display of winter foliage in the Chapel - tastefully arranged by Helen Cheese-Probert. It will remain in place until the beginning of Lent. Our next display will be a magnificent floral one for Easter.

St Valentine's Day

Even if you didn't receive any Valentine Cards today, you should rejoice in the knowledge that God loves you!

The Baptism of Our Lord

Here is a lovely poster showing John the Baptist baptising Jesus in the River Jordan. John is clothed in his traditional camel's hair. As Jesus comes out of the water we see the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. God the Father proclaims 'You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.'

So in a sense we have a lovely scene of the Holy Trinity - and it reminds us that when we were baptised, we were baptised in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

The Altar Candlesticks

As promised, here is a photograph of the two altar candlesticks which have been adapted by our Design and Technology Department to fit 2" candles. Don't they look good?

Many thanks to David and Jay for all their hard work.