Dear friends,
I hope this finds you safe and well, and that you still manage to feel connected to your church family at St Molua’s by joining with us online (or by phone) at our services each week.
Our new edition of Contact magazine is about to be published and will soon be available to view online stmoluasonline.com/parish-magazine. We have printed a limited number of copies for those parishioners not online, which will be delivered/posted.
Today is Ash Wednesday and I hope you have had the time to engage in a time of worship with Bishop David stmoluasonline.com/2021/02/17/ash-wednesday-service/ .
But did you also know that today is also Random Acts of Kindness Day? I didn’t – until I received a most unexpected gift! I hadn’t realised that there was an official day set aside for random acts of kindness, but what a lovely surprise! It got me to thinking what can each of us do to bless those around us? Perhaps during Lent you could consider ‘what random act of kindness can I do to bless someone?’
I’ll leave that thought with you…
I miss seeing you all, and unfortunately restrictions do not permit me to do pastoral visits at this time, but please do stay in touch and do not hesitate to contact me at the rectory (028 9573 9347) or by email if I can help in any way, or if you simply feel like a chat.
There will be discussions later this week as to the proposed lifting of restrictions. We do pray that we will be back in our church building to celebrate Easter – however all online and phone services will continue.
Today, as I said, we mark the beginning of Lent.
This Lent, please join Bishop David for a series of daily reflections in Nehemiah. The diocese be sharing a short film online every day from Ash Wednesday 17 February, to Palm Sunday 28 March. A link to the latest reflection can be found each day on the homepage of our website stmoluasonline.com
Lent is a time to give ourselves to God in prayer. It is a time to remind ourselves how much God loves us, and how much he forgives. And to remember no one is beyond the reach of God’s love. If our experience of the last year has taught us anything, we all need to take some ‘time out’ for a few minutes each day and give ourselves a little space and time with God.
Lent is for quiet – May we have times of stillness in our busy lives.
Lent is for healing – May we bring our hurting, broken parts to God and to each other. May we ask for help when we need it and offer it to others when we are able.
Lent is for self-examination – May we look honestly at our own lives and continuously look for new ways to let God’s light shine through us.
Lent heralds the coming of Easter – May we make full use of our desert and wilderness days and walk joyfully into the light of the Resurrection when the days of Lent are done.
Lent is a time to acknowledge God’s blessings to us.
May the blessing of God, the eternal goodness of God, the peace of God, and the love of God be among us and between us, now and always. Amen.
Stay safe folks, and please be assured of my prayers.
Yours in Christ,
Emma