St Mary's Church
Fairford

Lent

This is, of course, a season of penitence and preparation. Penitence for the fact that mankind’s sin and disobedience from Adam and Eve onwards made the pain and suffering of the Cross necessary. Preparation for the fact that through the glory of the Resurrection God has transformed death from an end to a beginning: the start of a new life in Christ, eternal life.

But, before we celebrate that, we need to stand at the foot of the Cross in penitence, acknowledging our shortcomings and our failure to live our lives in a Christ-like way.

Lent is the most solemn season of the Church’s year and a real opportunity to take stock of our spiritual life. To help us develop and deepen our spiritual life and our understanding of our faith and the Scriptures we invite you to join in some or all of the following:

Daily Prayer at St Mary’s throughout Lent

• Monday 6.45 pm
• Tuesday - Friday 12 noon
• Saturday 10.30am

Lectio Divina

This is a different and very interesting approach to Bible Study

• A passage from the Bible is read
• A short time of reflection
• Each person picks out just one word, or a short phrase, from the reading, something that stood out for them
• The passage is read again
• A short time of reflection
• Each person says one sentence based on the word that stood out for them
• A short time of reflection
• A general discussion on what has been said
• A short time of reflexion moving into prayer
• The passage is read a final time
• Concluding Prayers

In addition, and separately, there will be questions for discussion based on Baptism, the theme of Bishop Michael’s recent Pastoral Letter.

Please contact The Rev’d Denise Hyde for details of time, venue and other information.

Bible Study

As last year, the Rev Brian Atkinson will be leading a series of Bible Studies throughout Lent. The sessions will be held in the Heritage Room of the Community Centre from 7-8pm on the following Thursdays:
February 23rd, March 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th.