ANGLICAN
SOMETIME the season of Lent is said to the time for a spiritual stocktake.
We can take time to reflect on how our relationship with the Lord is.
While there is always a need for some self-examination, Lent is not intended to be just an inward looking exercise. We must look to God for renewal of our faith.
When we see God answering prayer, we are uplifted and even inspired.
Christians in Ukraine are seeing some answer to prayer but much more is needed.
Renewal of faith can also come through discussing God’s Word with others.
To that end, you are welcome to join in one of our Lenten study groups, either on Sunday evening at 7pm or Wednesdays at 11.15am.
The study series is called ‘Strangers in the world’, a phrase taken from the opening lines in the first letter of Peter.
We will explore this week how Christians are called to be different.
Last Friday, 50 people from five different churches gathered at Christ Church for the World Day of Prayer.
The Rev Rae King spoke of the long Christian witness of the church in the UK, in particular highlighting three English Cathedrals, each with very different ways of pointing people to God.
As Christian churches, we need to constantly think about how we show God’s love and good news to the wider community.
At Christ Church this week, after the Sunday service, we will have an opportunity to consider this and hopefully set some goals, or to use the technical term of setting our ‘Mission action plan’ for the next year or so.
UNITING
LAST weekend the Swan Hill congregation gathered with members from Moulamein, Pyramid Hill, Cohuna and Kerang UC congregations to celebrate being church together.
It was a time of worship, laughter and wonderful conversation over a simple lunch.
The people from the different towns mingled with one another around tables as they shared this simple meal together.
There were even some reunions of past school friends.
It was a wonderful way of supporting one another and sharing the many things we have in common.
So much of our socialisation occurs over sharing food, whether a ‘cuppa’ or a full meal.
Time is taken to be with one another and to share story.
Many of the accounts of people meeting with Jesus include the sharing of a meal.
He shared meals with unpopular people, people of power, those who were powerless.
He welcomed all ages and genders to eat and converse with him.
Jesus moved from town to town and people gathered wherever he went.
When we do likewise, we share in the gift of fellowship and support of one another.
The World Day of Prayer was also held last week. This year the countries in focus were England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
No matter where we turn in our world there seems to be unrest.
There are unpopular people, powerful people and powerless people.
To think that there were people gathering to pray around the world, in different languages and in varied cultures is inspiring.
During this season of Lent, and with the ability to meet together again, perhaps it is time to reach out to neighbours and friends to share a meal or a cuppa, making space for one another.
