The Vicar's Lent Epistle
Dearly Beloved Parishioners,
It's time for us, with George Herbert, to say 'Welcome deare fast of Lent: who loves not thee, // He love not Temperance, or Authoritie, // But is compos'd of passion. // The Scriptures bid us fast; the Church says now: // give to thy Mother, what thou wouldst allow // to every Corporation.'
Lent is a time which we remember (and have a go at) Jesus's time of prayer and fasting in the wilderness, and prepare to be spiritual partakers in his Passion and Cross. We do this in a few ways; self-examination, penitence, self-denial, study, and alms-giving. To that end we are going to take a break from the Sunday School Series and take a look at the Seven Monastic Steps from Ash Wednesday to Palm Sunday.
Our Lenten Sermons will be:
Ash Wednesday, Silence - The Vicar
First Sunday in Lent, Contemplation - A.M. The Rev'd David Bell. P.M. Mr John Watherston, LLM.
Second Sunday in Lent, Obedience - The Vicar
Third Sunday in Lent, Humility - The Vicar
Fourth Sunday in Lent (Mothering Sunday), Community - The Curate
Fifth Sunday in Lent, Spirituality - The Vicar
Sunday Next Before Easter, Hope - The Vicar
These will be followed by Lent Sermons discussion groups
Each Week on Wednesday at 20:00 we will be holding a discussion group to go a little deeper into the themes of the Monastic Steps at the heart of each sermon. The aim of these groups is, in the company and with the encouragement of other Christians, to see how we can make these disciplines part of our everyday lives. Please sign up by emailing office@chelseaoldchurch.org.uk or calling 020 7795 1019
Ash Wednesday
19:00 5th March Holy Communion with the Imposition of Ashes.
Palm Sunday
Is once again a joint service at 10:30 on the 13th April with Donkeys in Roper's Garden from 10:00. Its a chance to gather together to hear our marvellous Children's Choir and to begin Holy Week.
Lent Lecture
On Tuesday the 11th March we will welcome The Rev Nadim Nassar who will deliver our Lent Lecture on The Culture of God and the Logic of Easter, he is a Syrian-British Anglican priest, and Founder of the Awareness Foundation. It will begin at 7pm followed by Supper served in the Petyt Hall. All are welcome, there will be no charge for supper, but donations appreciated. Please sign up by emailing office@chelseaoldchurch.org.uk or calling 020 7795 1019
Spiritual MOT
In addition to our sermons and groups this Lent, we would like to encourage people to meet with the Vicar for a 'Spiritual MOT'. You make sure your car is running properly every year so why not have a closer look at your prayer life and relationship with God. Please do book an hour's meeting via the Office on office@chelseaoldchurch.org.uk or 020 7795 1019
I know that such a litany of delights will feel positively unLenten and so I beg you to undertake them in as penitent and sack-cloth-wearing a tone as you can muster...
Looking ahead: Would you like to be Confirmed this year?
Confirmations will take place at our 11am service on Sunday 18th May by The Rt Revd Dr Emma Ineson, The Bishop of Kensington. If you or your child (age 9 and above) would like to seek Confirmation this year, please be in touch with the Parish Office by 5th March at the latest. Confirmation classes will be held for 30mins in Petyt Hall: Children classes will be after the Family Service at 10.30am on 16 March, 30 March and 11 May and Adults at 5pm on 16 March, 13 April, and 11 May.
Lastly, don't forget to sign up to our brand new Church Electoral Roll by 13th April, this means that everyone who is currently on our Electoral Roll and wishes to remain so must apply again, please either pick up a form in the porch on Sunday and hand to one of the sidesman or email the Office on:
office@chelseaoldchurch.org.uk or to save time, just simply scan the QR code below
