Dear Friends
Celebrating Candlemas
Next Monday, as well as being Groundhog Day, is the Christian festival known as The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, also known as Candlemas. You can read all about it in Luke 2:22-40. It combines two separate rites: the presentation of the child and the purification of the mother. Interestingly (in my humble opinion), the attendance of the child was not necessary for the presentation of the child to take place! In the case of Jesus, though, it was only natural that his parents should take him with them given that they were close enough to Jerusalem.
Marking Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday this year falls on Wednesday 18 February. Our practice in recent years has been to hold a service of Holy Communion in the evening. This year we are going to trial it during the day hoping that this may prove a more realistic time for many who prefer not to venture out in the evening. Please do join us at 11 o’clock for a said service of Holy Communion lasting no more than an hour. We’ll provide space for quiet and reflection, some recorded music, and a focus on what makes this day so special.
Supporting the work of Anna Chaplaincy
During our Morning Praise service this coming Sunday at 10 o’clock we will, amongst other things, hear from Liz Tapp, our Anna Chaplain, about the work of Anna Chaplaincy, and commission two new Anna Friends: Wendy Hoare and Jackie Stephens. Whether Morning Praise is your thing or not, please do come to support these two friends as they mark this new step in their ministry.
The February magazine is available
Our grateful thanks to all involved in the production of our (near) monthly magazine. The latest edition is available both online (click here) and in church. It includes a very interesting article from David and Angela Ireland about a recent trip to Santiago de Compostela, which was inspired by our gift to them last year. David writes, “For many years we have talked of this trip but never found the opportunity to arrange a visit. Inspired by your generous gift, made on the occasion of my “second” retirement, we resolved to fulfil the ambition … We are very grateful to all of you who made it possible for us to enjoy this deeply spiritual experience.”
Keeping up to date
As well as our magazine, please take time to read our weekly notice sheet which is available both online (click here) and in church. Excerpts from last Sunday’s 10 o'clock service, including Lucy’s really helpful update on the work of the Bookham Youth Project, are also available; click here to access.
And finally…
A collect for Candlemas…
Lord Jesus Christ,
light of the nations and glory of Israel:
make your home among us,
and present us pure and holy
to your heavenly Father,
your God, and our God.
Amen.
Grace and peace,
Alan
Alan Jenkins
Rector
