Message from our Minister
Revd. Jane Barron
Dear FriendsLent is a season, which invites us into times of quietness
and reflection, a time to take stock, to look back and to
look forward as we reflect on what our faith in Jesus really
means. During my spiritual retreat I reflected on the
importance of ‘welcome.’ In all the activities I enjoyed at
the start of Lent, I felt welcome and included and I hope in
turn I enabled those who shared the experiences with me,
to feel welcome too. On my retreat I felt totally welcome
and lovingly enfolded in a community, which accepts all
people as they are. It is so perfect, a taste of heaven, that
one wants to stay there forever and it is very hard to leave
when the time comes.
Lent is not just about resisting temptation and giving things
up, although that is of course a good discipline. It can also
be about taking up a new challenge. I hope many of us have
responded to Jill’s challenge of reading a Christian based
book during Lent ( I have put a new selection in our Marple
church). In addition I would like to suggest that we reflect
on the way we welcome others, and are welcomed by others,
at the various meetings, events and activities we are
involved in over the coming weeks. The discoveries we make
may surprise and disturb us and may cause us to consider
more carefully and prayerfully the words of the hymn we
sing occasionally…..
Let us build a house where love can dwell
And all can safely live,
A place where saints and children tell
How hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions,
Rock of faith and vault of grace;
Here the love of Christ shall end divisions:
All are welcome, all are welcome
All are welcome in this place. (Marty Haugen. GIA Pubs. Inc).
With my love to you all
Jane Barron
