February 2009

VICAR: The Revd. Martin Fredriksen Tel: 694109

PARISH OFFICE (Mondays to Fridays 9.30am - Noon) Tel: 697641

FROM THE VICAR: Because of the deadlines that we have to meet for publication of this magazine, the January edition went to press well before the end of December and there was no opportunity to report on what happened at Christmas. I think that it is fair to say that more people attended one or more services over that period than I can remember all the time that I have been here. From the Carol Service of the Sunday evening right through to Christmas morning, there must have been approaching 1500 people coming through our doors. This was to the extent that all those who said that they intended coming, but were stricken down with one of the bugs – of the heavy cold, flu or stomach variety – if they had been able to turn up, we would have had great difficulty in finding somewhere to put them! What a problem to have!

We keep on hearing of declining numbers in Church attendance, but I have yet to experience them. With the continuing economic chaos curtailing somewhat the materialism that has hitherto been the mark of this season, many have come to focus on the essentials of life – those important things that no money can buy – and on the person of our Lord Jesus.

The Christmas/Epiphany season ends this month on February 2nd – the feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary – also known as the Presentation of Christ in the Temple or Candlemass. Like Lent, the Christmas/Epiphany season lasts for forty days.

And speaking of Lent, that is upon us later this month – how time marches on. Ash Wednesday is on 25th February. There will be celebrations of the Eucharist with the Blessing and Imposition of Ashes at 10.30am and 8pm on that day – a time for a spiritual MOT when we can make our resolutions and offer them quietly to God for his blessing and guidance.

Martin Fredriksen.

 

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