Dear Friends

Over the last few weeks of Lent I have been leading a Lent talk at St Mary’s Convent and Nursing home. I have been talking about the risk God took in communicating his love for us in creation and incarnation, how this love can be appropriated by us for our own sinful ends and how ultimately this love is proved right by death and resurrection. Holy Week is fast approaching, in the week we come very close to the heart of everything we hold dear as Christians, it informs our faith and gives us courage to live this faith in our lives and in the world. I do hope you will be able to participate in the events/the liturgies of this great week. I would particularly like to draw your attention to the community meal on Maundy Thursday, 29 March at 8pm in the Parish Hall.  It’s informal, and it is suitable for all ages. Just bring yourself and if you can, a green salad and a bottle of wine to share. On Sunday there will be a couple of lists at the back for church. Please sign them if you are willing to read, or lead the intercessions at any one of our extra Holy Week services. There will also be copies of these readings and intercessions for you to take away and look at.

Simon

Dear Friends

It has been good to see so many contributions for the Foodbank during this cold weather when there must be many people in particular need of our support. A few months ago I visited the Foodbank in Shepherds Bush and was pleased to meet some of the recipients of our gifts and the volunteers who work there. I was therefore delighted to read this week that Daphine Aikens, who runs this branch, has received an award from Hammersmith and Fulham Borough Council for her outstanding contribution to the life of the borough. Daphine started Hammersmith and Fulham Foodbank in 2010 and has worked tirelessly ever since to provide food and other essentials, as well as a wide range of other support including help with budgeting and lunch clubs during school holidays.

I hope that those of you who are reading our Lent book are enjoying it and finding it helpful. At the end of the second chapter there is a lovely prayer which I reproduce below for those who have not seen it:.

As the days lengthen and the earth spends longer in the light of day, grant that I may spend longer in the light of your presence, O Lord, and those seeds of your Word, which have been long-buried within me, grow, like everything around us, into love for you, and love for people; to become a visible declaration of your lordship in my life. Grant, Father, that this Lent there may be a springtime for my life in Christ.

With every blessing

Mother Eileen