Lent Begins….

Dear friends,

Lent begins this week!  Pancake day is always marked in our household. I confess to jealousy guarding the frying pan, and enjoying the process of turning the batter into something just perfectly done, on both sides. Yes, I do flip them, but I’m not one of those who tries to hit the ceiling. If even just one were to be lost, there would be a riot. Pancake Day is “Shrove Tuesday”, when supplies would be used up before the fasting of Lent commenced, and when church services would be held so that sins might be forgiven (“shriven”) before the Holy Season of penitence. Nowadays the Church marks the start of Lent on the Wednesday, with a service of ashing, in which we are reminded both of our baptism into Christ, and of our mortality and frailty.

This year, we celebrate Ash Wednesday online, together as churches and as pilgrims through this season with a service at 7.30pm – the Zoom numbers  are 879 8030 1356 and 046897. The service will be led by Revd Kevin; there will be a special adaptation of Allegri’s miserere by Ipsden choir, and the preacher will be Revd Angela. Don’t miss this opportunity to worship together midweek.

The Lent Journey continues thereafter every day from Thursday 18th Feb at 8.30pm for a ten minute devotional; readings, prayer, music, input from Revd Kevin and Revd John. Join us daily, or when you can. Everyone is welcome. The zoom numbers are 842 3891 2144 and 123165. Do make a note of them in your diary.

Worship for Sunday 21st February

You will need the zoom app installed on your device (laptop, tablet, phone or PC) – download from https://www.zoom.us.  Just before the appointed time, run the app, click on “join meeting” and enter the meeting number and passcode below.

11am Family Worship with Revd Kevin. 636 645 195 and passcode 000162  An informal service suitable for all ages, with hymns and songs from the church music group and a chance to chat.

It is absolutely OK to pass these details onto friends and family, who are very welcome to join us. Please don’t however post them on social media. Other online service options can be found on the Langtree Team Ministry Churches website. All live services across the Langtree Team have been suspended for the present.

You can support Checkendon church and now, Stoke Row church via dedicated and secure online card donation pages. Just click on the link. If you care about your church, please don’t stop giving. Its really important. Please also Gift Aid your donation if you pay any income tax. Thank you !

Foodbank relocation

The foodbank drop off in Checkendon is moving temporarily to Eveleigh, in Whitehall Lane. Items can be left on the doorstep, and will be passed on to the Wallingford Food Bank. (Recent theft from the Lychgate has made this location untenable for now). Once the church has reopened fully the drop off will return inside the building. Thank you for remembering those who have very little.

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.” (Galatian 5:22) Lent is a time, when, as our gardens begin to come to life again, we can also focus upon the “inner garden of the heart” to tend the fruit that God is growing there. Have a very blessed week.

Your Rector

Revd Kevin Davies.