A February Message from Ian at the Manse

My Dear Friends,

Greetings and welcome to the latest issue of 'Christchurch Messenger'.

My pastoral letter this month is written in the wake of Christmas. Thank you for all your kind greetings. I so much enjoyed Christmas here this year. There were so many high moments. I will never forget the Candle of Hope Service. If I felt a little apprehensive about leading it because I knew how much it meant to so many, I came away feeling richly blest.

But now to the future! This month marks the beginning of Lent, the 40 day period in which we take the journey towards the Cross with Jesus, enter into his sufferings and try to imagine that we are living the events as if they are unfolding before us for the first time. As we do that the surprise of Easter Day will be all the more.

But this month as we begin the journey I must ask you how you will be celebrating Lent. Do you give something up you love (and if so why?) limping in towards Easter Day exhausted and longing for that cuppa WITH sugar, that biscuit or bar of white chocolate (my weakness) or do you actually do something that will actually change you.

Some friends of mine last year resolved to do something positive every day, to remember a lonely neighbour, to try to abstain from gossip, to resolve to read the Bible or to pray more. The possibilities for them were endless. And when Easter came they said they actually felt different.

I cannot wish you a Happy Lent, but I can wish you a blessed and profitable Lent which will ensure that when Easter comes you are ready to celebrate the wonder of the resurrection.

With Love and Prayers,

Your Minister and friend,

Ian