Hello Everybody ,

What a blessing to be able to write a letter again. It is only the second one I have done!

The dark and early nights continue. I was on retreat before Christmas where the theme was, ‘stars’ and the star of Bethlehem particularly. I was acutely heartened by a quote from Helen Waddell that God is ‘the star lit darkness’. This carried me through Christmas to Epiphany.

Remembering this helps in these dark days of winter.  I felt blessed by the appearance of snowdrops in the garden this week, a sign that spring is round the corner. Spring hastens life, new birth, new life, new arrivals , a fresh start, all invigorating us and making us feel so much better.  As a Nanna to two beautiful girls, I eagerly await another addition to the family in March.

As we approach Lent, it is time to reflect on our relationship with God, our Lord and Saviour. The Church of England has produced a Lent course called ‘Draw Near’ which, as Archbishop Sarah Mullally says, ‘is all about teaching us how we can cultivate the habits and practices that will draw us nearer to God. And we will find that in doing so, God will draw nearer to us too.’

The ‘Draw Near’ course gives us daily prompts in our prayers and Bible study, covering things like worshipping together, exploring the Bible, Communion, offering service and sharing the Good News.

Blessings