From the Vicar

The word Lent means “Spring” and “growth”. It is a period of six weeks given by the Church to you and me for growth. Not growth in the physical sense, indeed some of us may grow smaller through giving up chocolate or whatever! It is given for spiritual growth; that each of us may arrive at Easter 2012 having grown a little more in our love of God, of neighbour and of self. So how you choose to keep this holy season will be determined by asking, “what do I need to do to deepen my love for God, my neighbour, and myself”?

I recently read an interview with Rabbi Lionel Blue, in which he said “If you were to set yourself a task to learn holiday Spanish, then you would expect to spend at least an hour a week for the next 12 weeks or so doing nothing but reading, and conversation. At the end of which you might be able to say “hello” and order a meal! Why then do we expect that learning about God will be any easier, involve any less time?”

But we do don't we? Many people come to Mass once and say “well that did nothing for me.” Many never open their Bibles, then get disheartened when their faith seems fragile. Many never sit still and listen, give God a chance, and then say “well He's never spoken to me.” We will only know how to behave in Church and what things mean if we come often and ask. We are only going to be sure in our faith if we know what Scripture says, and what the Church teaches. We are only going to have a prayerful relationship with God, if we put in the time and effort and eventually “Let go, and let God”.

In other words growth only takes place when we make an effort to change, to grow, where there is sacrifice, a walking with Jesus, carrying His cross. The Holy Spirit will tell you what to do and give you the strength to do it if you let Him. Open your Bibles, be still in Prayer, faithful at Mass, make a Confession. So when on Easter Day that Holy Water hits you- you know you have grown, changed, are a new person in Christ!

Fr Spicer

Parochial Church Council News

On January 26 th Church Council began with Mass and nine members present. The normal formalities of a meeting were quickly carried out.

After a conversation with Mark the last treasurer, Keith was able to demonstrate a surplus of almost £4,000. This is quite an achievement mainly down to people's sacrificial giving for which we must be grateful and thankful. Mr Colin Slater, one of our General Synod reps and a leading expert in stewardship, will be preaching on our Stewardship Sunday February 12 th . A cheque from Clumber Chapel collections of £500 was gratefully recorded too.

Under Fabric, Andrew reported that work is being carried out to eliminate draughts in the Church. The Triforium door is to be opened up soon allowing a safer access to the southern roof space. A faculty was agreed on for the erection of safety bollards on the Cheapside road to prevent vehicles driving on. Another faculty was agreed so the water board can improve the drainage of Cemetery road. A third faculty was agreed to begin work on the Gatehouse Chapel. English Heritage have provisionally offered 50% of the monies needed. Carl Andrew's one of the Development Trustees has agreed to help find the rest! Fr Spicer reported back on a positive meeting with an underfloor heating engineer. Due to new techniques we are hoping that the nave will only be out of use for about a month. Positive moves have been made with the electrical company e.on to develop a ground source heat supply. Anyone with fundraising ideas should come to Mass 7.30pm February 9 th .

As part of the Annual Review Council adopted the Child Protection policy with, for the time being, Fr Spicer as the named person.

The Annual Parochial Church Meeting will be on Sunday March 4 th at 11am and all members are encouraged to attend. Copies of the Report will be available the week before. Please let me have any items for the Report asap. We shall be looking for a new Member of deanery Synod for 2 years service and 4 members to serve on Church Council for three years. If you are interested please speak with me or the wardens. A nomination form will be at the back of Church.

Pam Wild - Secretary

Evensong & Benediction

Every Sunday at 6pm we have Evensong from the Book of Common Prayer, a rarity these days. This is followed by the service of Exposition and Benediction when we have the privilege of a time of prayer in the presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Whilst sometimes it can be a rush at Mass to speak or listen with Jesus, Exposition gives us the space and time to simply be with Him.

Once a month we are blessed further by being joined by the Choir who sing the Psalms, Magnificat, Nunc Dimmittis and an Anthem, to give us a different way of praying and praising God. The next time this will happen will be on February 12 th ; please do consider returning to Church that day to praise and pray with others.