Curate: the Revd Sue Egerton; LLM: Martyn Egerton, Hollington, Horsham Road, Capel.
Tel 711299.
Dear Friends.
In the Christian calendar we are now in the period called Lent, (it starts on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter day). Lent is one of the oldest Christian traditions, it started somewhere around the second or third centuries. Traditionally it was a time of reflection on what was going on in an individual’s life and community. Today it may be a time when we try to change something in our lives.
Often we hear of people giving up something for Lent so that they can overcome bad habits or overindulgence, or maybe as a way of devoting time and resources to something more worthwhile. As we write this article there is a rumour that one ardent football fan is considering giving up watching the game for forty days! Whatever we choose to do, Lent is a time for making some space in our lives to look at what we are doing and evaluating our motives and purposes. In a world where life moves quickly and there is an expectation that answers will be available in an instant – perhaps we can all benefit from stepping back. If this were to happen across our society it might avoid some of the more disastrous knee jerk responses to the problems of our world.
For those who think forty days is a very long time to go without something, Mothering Sunday can provide a mid-way break. The origin of what has now become ‘Mother’s Day’ was really a special day when everyone who could was allowed to return to their mother church. In other words they went to their home parish or church to be with their own community. It emphasised the importance of belonging to a community. Not a bad principle to apply now. People who feel that they belong to a community tend to live richer lives and are able not only to share the joys in their lives, but also their misfortunes drawing strength from others in that community.
Whilst it is good to remember and celebrate the role our mother’s have in our lives, it is also important to learn the lesson of recognising the value of our home communities and the difference they can make to everyone in them.
As a church community we meet together on Mothering Sunday for a special family celebration, to recognise both mothers and the richness of the Christian community that we have here in Capel. Why not join with us for this special occasion.
Yours in Christ,
Martyn and Sue Egerton.