February 2010

Pastoral Letter to the Congregations of the Diocese

Bishop Alistair and Archdeacon Malcolm join me in calling for this coming Ash Wednesday (17th February) to be a Day of Prayer across the whole Diocese.

Many of you will already mark this day as special, as part of your Lenten discipline, but we wish to encourage you to mark this Ash Wednesday with extra prayer, either in your homes or places of work, if that is possible, or by finding a local church where you can spend some time in quietness.

For those who would like help as to how to use their time for prayer on Ash Wednesday, you will find a leaflet on the Diocesan website.* It suggests that people may wish to use familiar and favourite prayers; pray for particular needs; pray one of the Psalms; meditate on one of the readings for Ash Wednesday; or just be silent before God.*

In addition to praying, some may also wish to fast, perhaps by going without lunch, so as to connect that sense of physical need with the spiritual need and desire for God.

(If you choose to fast as part of your prayer, please be vigilant about any particular medical issues you may have, and, in any case, please ensure that you still take drinks throughout the day.)

What is vital for all of us is that we not only grow in prayer, in our relationship with God, but also enter evermore deeply into Christ's own way of self-giving, expressed in its utmost on the Cross. We come in need of God's grace, to be forgiven for what is amiss in our lives and to be strengthened and encouraged in what is good and right, that we may grow more and more in holiness of life.

May you have a holy and blessed Lent. May you walk more closely the way of the Cross and may you discover it to be none other than the way of Resurrection and abundance of life.

With warmest good wishes and prayers,