During Lent we explore some of the Bible’s most beloved texts - the Beatitudes and the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus Christ gave the most beautiful and powerful talk: the Sermon on the Mount. These words have shaped history and changed many people’s lives. Right at the beginning are eight short sayings which all begin with the word ‘Blessed’.At Brindle St. James’ church we feel blessed in so many ways. During Lent we have the opportunity to share our blessings with others. We are invited to put a small item in a box each day to share with families that are less fortunate than ourselves. Our lunch on Sunday 10th March in Brindle Community Hall we will ask for donations of cash for the Foxton Centre working with the homeless to fight hunger locally within our community. A five week Lent series based on the Lord’s Prayer is to be held each Wednesday in Lent starting on 13th March. If you are interested, please meet in church at 7.30pm for approximately 1 hour. All welcome. And on Saturday 30th March, 9.30am to 1pm is Pathway to Prayer at Whalley Abbey with Bishop Philip. Workshops include Praying with Poetry, Praying with Children, Contemplative Prayer, Lectio Divina. Places can be booked via the Eventbrite booking links available through www.blackburn.anglican.org/events
At the start of February we leave the Epiphany season and begin the journey into Lent.I do hope you all received the Parish Christmas Card. It contains the text – ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus’.Prayer allows us to share, with the God who was baptised in the Jordan; The God who transformed water to wine; our deepest feelings; anxieties; joys and challenges and know that He wants to be there with us. Sounds relatively straight forward! But for many of us, praying can be a challenge.On the 24th January, some members of the parish family attended a workshop at Blackburn Cathedral on the subject of prayer. Canon Rowena Pailing, The Canon Missioner, gently and graciously shared some thoughts on praying and prayer spaces. It was so encouraging to hear Rowena say, “None of us know how to pray!" She gave us much food for thought which we will share with the parish family over the coming months. This will be supported by the Lent Course I propose to lead which is to be based on The Lord’s Prayer. Again further details next month.So dear friends, may we harness the joy of the Christ Child; recognise that He both yearns to share our tribulations and to respond when we ‘run out’ and seek His help. With Much Love, David
