Below is an excerpt of this month’s east-to-west “wePRAY” newsletter – an account which is both interesting and moving, and well worth reading whole (there is a lot more in there!). You can find it at their website.
“Christians, it seems, aren’t just content with giving things up for New Year, but flagellate themselves further by giving up even more until Easter! If you’ve no idea what I’m talking about, you won’t have engaged with it before but if you have, you’ll know I’m alluding to Lent. … Studies would suggest that the modern Christian church is slowly moving back towards traditions like Lent. More and more followers of Christ are making a conscious decision to step outside their normal everyday existence and step into a planned, intentional, focused time with God. It echoes Jesus’ footsteps into the desert. An intentional act, which Jesus knew would be difficult; where temptation and hunger, doubt, stresses and strains would occur, but a place where he knew, he’d find his Father waiting for him. And over the course of 40 days, Jesus was shaped by the hands of his Father, so he could re-shape the world. … So rather than giving something up for Lent this year, can I encourage you to take something up instead? Be inspired by the words of Jesus to love your neighbour, to feed the hungry, clothe the needy or visit the sick. Be brave and forgive someone who’s hurt you, love through action not just words, and read the bible not just the verses… And do it, because you know (and have experienced) the Joy that is coming.”
As part of what you take on for Lent, why not support one of the charities Runnymede Deanery works with through prayer, a donation or giving time to help?
east-to-west – you can phone them on 01784 438007 to find out what is needed right now in particular.
Runnymede Foodbank – contact Iris Partridge (general) via
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or Helen Bunclark (cooking courses) via
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Christians Against Poverty Debt Centres in Egham & Addlestone – contact Sue Gray (Egham) via
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or Daniel Howat (Addlestone) via
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Our Link Diocese of Kebbi/Nigeria – see Runnymede Deanery website for their recent school projects and other updates.