Hello Lent

Lent is a wonderful opportunity to deepen our relationship with God, rooting our spirituality in new ground!

It begins with Ash Wednesday, which this year is Wednesday 18^th February. We have two services on Ash Wednesday:

10am St Sebastians, Great Gonerby

And the same service is then repeated at

6pm St Mary and St Peters, Harlaxton

An Ash Wednesday service is a great way to intentionally begin your Lenten Habits.

And this year I invite you to try….

This little booklet has a reflection with prayer for each of the 40 days of Lent. The Church of England’s theme for Lent 2026 is Draw Near: Life-giving habits for Lent.

This year’s resources have at their heart the theme of a ‘rhythm of life’ – habits and patterns which help us grow as disciples of Christ day by day, especially as we prepare to celebrate the great mystery of God’s saving love at Easter. This year I’d like to recommend these resources to you to encourage you as you follow Jesus.

OR instead of the booklet (copies of which will be available at our Ash Wednesday services and then on Sunday 22^nd February in church)

you can access the same readings for free on the… Daily reflections via Everyday Faith app: 

Down load and listen to the daily Lent reflections from 19^th February through the Everyday Faith app, which is available to download here.

Fasting

Traditionally Christians have used Lent to cut out luxury items like chocolate, cake or alcohol. Some people now advocate taking up something instead, for example, an act of kindness each day

Christians fast during Lent to commemorate Jesus's 40-day fast in the desert before beginning his ministry, essentially mirroring his sacrifice and serving as a period of reflection and self-denial leading up to the celebration of Easter; this practice is seen as a test of discipline and a way to focus more deeply on God through sacrifice. So, whatever we chose to do our end goal is to deepen our relationship with God, and that will look different to us all.

If you are looking for something different then why not try...

Earth Fast-each week takes up a different area where we can adopt new habits to care for the earth.

We also have a children’s version too!

You can find copies of both on Sarah's Lent Email

OR

our Walk to Church during Lent is also back!

Whatever you choose to do I pray it will draw you closer to God!

Lent Lunches- -an opportunity for fellowship and fundraising with all donations being given to charity! Dates to follow! Feel able to visit all the churches for lunch!

This month’s photos was taken at St Sebastians Carol Service.