Ash Wednesday and Lent
Today, as we mark Ash Wednesday, we step together into the season of Lent—a quieter, more reflective journey that gently calls us back to the heart of our faith. Lent invites us to slow down, to be honest before God, and to remember both our fragility and our deep dependence on His grace.
The words that will be spoken at our 7.30pm Ash Wednesday service this evening are simple but profound: "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." They remind us that life is not sustained by our own strength or striving, but by God alone. Lent is not about trying harder, but about returning—returning to prayer, to repentance, to attentiveness, and to trust.
I've been especially drawn to the invitation from Joel 2:12:
"Return to me with all your heart."
That feels like the heartbeat of this season. Not a call to perfection, but a call to come back—to God's mercy, God's presence, and God's shaping love.
As we journey through these forty days, my prayer is that Lent would be a gift to us, both individually and as a church family: a time when God gently clears away what distracts us, deepens our hunger for Him, and prepares us anew for the joy of Easter. May this be a season where we listen more closely, repent more freely, and trust more deeply as we walk together in faith.
With that in mind, I wanted to share a few key updates as we begin Lent together:
Journey to the Cross – Gospel of Mark Reading Plan
Over the past few weeks, we've been giving out copies of the Gospel of Mark, encouraging us to read through Mark's account during Lent. Alongside this, a weekday reading plan has been produced, inviting us to set aside time to read, pray, and reflect together.
The Gospel of Mark reading plan begins tomorrow, offering us a shared rhythm of reading, prayer, and reflection as we journey through Lent together.
You can use the booklet at any point in the day, either on your own or with others. For those who are able to join us, we'll also be gathering on Zoom Monday to Friday mornings at 7am, for around 20 minutes. We'll read the passage, have a short time of reflection, and pray together. Please don't worry—you don't need to have your camera on if it's too early!
You can find the booklet and Zoom information here:
https://www.stjohnswalmley.com/lentatstjohns
We hope this will be a meaningful and gentle discipline throughout Lent.
Journey to the Cross – Lent Course
During Lent we'll also be running a Wednesday evening Lent course titled Journey to the Cross. This will explore some of the places in Israel that Jesus visited during Holy Week. CMJ UK will be joining us to speak and bring resources.
There will be five sessions, and a one-off cost of £5 to cover printing. We'll meet from 7.30–9pm, including refreshments and time for Q&A after each session.
Sign up here: https://stjw.churchsuite.com/events/0baunldy
We're already close to 70 people signed up, which is wonderful!
Holy Week and Easter
Please do look out for invitations to our Holy Week and Easter services in the coming weeks. This will include a Passover Meal on Maundy Thursday, which is always a really special, all-age occasion. More details coming soon.
Laura Slater
For those who may not have heard the news, I'm delighted to share that Laura Slater will be staying at St John's to continue serving her curacy. She will be ordained as a Deacon in June. Please keep Laura, Nick, Spencer, and Rowan in your prayers as they prepare for this next step.
Finally, there are a number of things in the pipeline that I hope to share with you shortly, including updates on our Building Vision, a Church Weekend Away, and some exciting opportunities to serve on Deanery Synod, PCC, and the Building and Facilities Team. Watch this space!
A Prayer for Lent
Lord God,
as we enter this season of Lent,
help us to return to you with all our hearts.
Where we are distracted, draw us back.
Where we are weary, meet us with your grace.
Where we need to let go, give us courage and trust.
May these days lead us deeper into your love,
shape us more fully into the likeness of Christ,
and prepare us to rejoice in the hope of Easter.
Amen.
With every blessing,
Ade