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MICKLETON
METHODIST CHURCH
February
2012
Forty
days and forty nights
Thou wast fasting in the wild;
Forty days and forty nights
Tempted, and yet undefiled.
Sunbeams scorching all the day;
Chilly dew-drops nightly shed;
Prowling beasts about Thy way;
Stones Thy pillow; earth Thy bed.
Should not we Thy sorrow share
And from worldly joys abstain,
Fasting with unceasing prayer,
Strong with Thee to suffer pain?
Then if Satan on us press,
Jesus, Savior, hear our call!
Victor in the wilderness,
Grant we may not faint nor fall!
So shall we have peace divine:
Holier gladness ours shall be;
Round us, too, shall angels shine,
Such as ministered to Thee.
George
Smyttan (1822 – 1870)
Original version – much altered in current books
February
Reflection
Yet
again, we hardly seem to have completed the Christmas season before
we are at least thinking about the month in which Lent begins, this
year on February 22nd.
The
name Lent is derived from an old word for springtime, but of course,
on the other side of the globe, Lent comes in autumn, so there is
more to this season than just the time of the year. From about the
fourth century, the custom of Lent lasting about six weeks became
widespread, a time of preparation, including fasting, for those who
would be baptised at Easter. Later on, already baptised Christians
also fasted for forty days in preparation for Easter and remembering
Jesus’ forty days fasting in the wilderness at the beginning of
his ministry. However, people never fasted on Sundays.
If you exclude Sundays, the six weeks leading up to Easter
only amount to thirty six days, so the custom developed of beginning
on the previous Wednesday, now known as Ash Wednesday.
Well
within living memory, Methodists ignored such events, but as we have
drawn closer to the Anglican Church, some of us have realised that
our faith is deepened by observing some of these special days. This
year there is a circuit Quiet Day at Willersey Methodist Church on
Ash Wednesday. Probably ashes will be available for those who wish
to observe the old custom of ‘being ashed’ as a symbol of
spending time reflecting on one’s journey with God, resolving to
leave behind some of the regrettable events, words, thoughts which
we know are not in accord with our faith.
The
ashes come from buring last year’s palm crosses, not as easy as it
sounds, as I found one year, preparing for an Ash Wednesday quiet
day, filling my kitchen with smoke.
I noted this year that one can buy ashes ready prepared from
one of the ecclesiastical suppliers!
There
are only three hymns relating to Lent in our Hymns and Psalms book
but perhaps a new interest is revealed in the Lenten season by the
inclusion of several new hymns in the new book, Singing the Fatith.
Our
Open House group will be meeting weekly in Lent, listening to a CD
and then discussing what we have heard. We end with a bread and soup
lunch, (a modified form of fasting) on Maundy Thursday. Whether or
not you are able to join us or another activity this Lent, may this
season be a time of insights and commitment for us all.
Ros Murphy
Methodist
Preachers
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February
5th 10.30
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Pam
Randle MW
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February
12th 10.30
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Alan
Cooper MW
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February
19th 10.30
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Brian
Holliday HC
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February
26th 10.30
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Ros
Murphy MW
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MW
— Morning
Worship HC – Holy Communion
Mickleton Thursday Fellowship.
The Joseph Webb Hall on Thursdays
at
2.30
February
2nd Connie and Audrey, Slide show
February
9th Beetle drive and Bring & Buy
February
16th John Howard, Devotional
February
23rd Ros Murphy, Women’s World Day of Prayer slides
Our
monthly programme usually includes a devotional session on the
third Thursday of each month, at least one speaker, sometimes with
slides, an activities session and some weeks when we are invited
to share our memories or perhaps our favourite poems or readings.
Each session begins with a brief reflection, a hymn and a prayer.
We then share tea and biscuits – or cakes if it is someone’s
birthday, and time to talk with friends.
Welcome
to both regular and new members – male and female - weekly or
occasionally.
Diary
Dates
February
16th Food
for Thought Fish and Chips lunch at Welford. 12 for 12.30
February
22nd 10am – 3.30
Ash Wednesday Quiet Day at Willersey, led by Rev Christine
Kettlety
OPEN HOUSE.
A time to share Conversation and Questions
A mix of people from different denominations
We meet on the second Wednesday of each
month.
10.30 for coffee or tea
and biscuits
11.00 - 12.00. Bible Discussion led by one
of the group members
in a friendly and informal environment.
February 8th 2 Webbs
Cottages, led by John Howard
February 29th Joseph
Webb Hall, the first of the weekly Lent meetings
Please come and join us.
For more information ring Jo Parr 01386 438418
Handing
on the Torch
This is the title of our York
Course Lent ecumenical discussion group booklet. Commentary on the
CD comes from leading Christian thinkers – Archbishop Sentamu,
the 97th Archbishop of York, Rachel Lampard who is
responsible for the Methodist Church’s involvement in political
issues and Clifford Longley JP, a Roman Catholic journalist and
broadcaster. The closing reflections each week are led by Bishop
Graham Cray who is the leader of the Fresh Expressions team.
We have used the York courses in
Lent for several years now and always find plenty to discuss and
to think about. The title this year reflects the Olympic theme,
but is concerned with how we hand on our faith to future
generations. ‘Christianity is the largest movement the world has
ever seen’, still growing very rapidly in Asia, Africa and Latin
America, but declining and even struggling to survive in the West.
Lots of questions here!
You will be very welcome to join
our reflection, whether or not you usually come to our Open House
meetings.
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