Today is Shrove Tuesday, a day which traditionally was one of reflection and preparation as the season of Lent begins tomorrow with Ash Wednesday. It allows us to reflect on our own personal reality, to ‘shrive’ ourselves of sin, and to identify our need to change. Tomorrow, Ash Wednesday, is a moment for us to then publicly confess our sin and enter into a period of penitence and prayer as we approach Easter. Sin is not something we talk much about in society unless we point the finger at others.
Tomorrow we have been invited by the Pope and our Archbishops to join others around the world in a day of prayer and fasting for peace to be found and an ending of the war in Ukraine. We hope that as many of us who are able will do so and as we pray for peace to commit ourselves, to also be peacemakers in our own families and communities ‘The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.’
A Prayer for Ukraine
God of peace and justice, We pray for the people of Ukraine today. We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons. We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow, that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them. We pray for those with power over war or peace, for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions. Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear, that you would hold and protect them. We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen
You can find additional resources for prayer for Ukraine on the Church of England website.
It has been 2 years since the pandemic began. There is much we have lost and continue to mourn. Marie Curie are again spearheading the campaign for a Day of Reflection on Wednesday, 23 March to mark the anniversary of the beginning of the first UK Lockdown and to let bereaved people know that they are not alone.
Like last year, the day revolves around “a minute to reflect, a moment to connect” inviting people to hold a minute-long silence at midday. This year community spaces and workplaces are also being asked to create ‘Walls of Reflection’ where people can write names, add pictures and mementos of people they are remembering. We would encourage you to talk with your community about how this can be done together. Churches can register their interest in being involved on the Marie Curie website – and there are practical ideas developed by the Life Events Team, including posters, prayers and logos.
We are still only beginning to revert to our more usual patterns of worship. Some of us will continue to need to take care of ourselves and others and so we encourage you to remain sensitive and careful for all in your communities. And we also want to encourage us to look forward with hope to an Easter when we can celebrate our thankfulness to God for His goodness. So where possible let us seek to make this Easter one where our churches and hearts are open wide in welcome to all.
We are really looking forward to returning to the Cathedral for our usual Chrism service on the Tuesday of Holy Week, details of which you will be able to find on the Wells Cathedral website soon. This is an opportunity for those of us who are ordained to renew our ordination vows and receive oils of baptism, healing and chrism. We invite as many as are able, to come, both lay and ordained, to pray and bless the ministry of the Church across the diocese.
Prayer is the heartbeat of our discipleship. The way in which we hear God’s call to us and the way in which we give voice to all that hurts us and gives us joy. As we walk together this Lent in the footsteps of Christ may we discover more of His love for ourselves and for the world.
With our love and thankfulness for you!
+Ruth