Dearest friends,
In Lent we will be following the Stations of the Cross on Saturday evenings before Evening Prayer.
But why? The 14 stations allow us to spend time with Jesus Christ in His last day on earth. We start with His condemnation and end as He is laid in his tomb.
Many churches have beautiful images, icons or even life size statues of each of these moments in His last day. Each gives us a moment to pause, to pray, to reflect and to try to draw closer to Jesus and our understanding of His suffering that day.
We are fortunate to have beautiful depictions of each of these moments at St. Luke’s and St. John’s and alongside a weekly email reflection from Fr. Philip Barnes (also available as a booklet by request) we will using the Stations as our primary method of devotion and learning during this Lent.
They are especially helpful to those who are new to faith and for those who wish to revisit the founding principles of what it means to live your life in the name of Jesus Christ.
Do try to come at least once during Lent on a Saturday evening and walk this simple and moving path – take a mini pilgrimage in the steps of Jesus.
Fr. Matthew
Notices
Messy Church
Volunteers needed.
Can you please spare two hours on Sunday 23rd 3-5pm? We need volunteers to help put tables up, set up chairs, set up craft tables and to sit with children as they make crafts on each table. You can volunteer for as much or as little as you like. Please step forward to help!
Music & Mediation
This Sunday at 4pm, you’ll have the chance to come to St. John’s and listen to some beautiful music and reflections as we sit in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. This ‘Holy Hour’ will allow you to sit in silence and let your mind listen to what God is saying to you this Lent.
The Bible Course
Thursday evenings, 7pm, WH
It’s our final session! Revelation and the End Times. Phew, what a journey it has been… and now here we are at the end.
Summer Term Planning
As in previous terms we’ll meet together as two churches and plan the term ahead. The Summer Term will be based out of St. Luke’s and our planning meeting will happen there on the 30th April at 6:30pm. We’ll do a short review of the Easter term and then plan for the term ahead.
Summer Lectures
Over the summer term I don’t plan to run what you may call a traditional ‘course’. Instead I’m going to offer a series of Sunday afternoon lectures, perhaps once a fortnight. These lectures will range from ‘What is the Christian perspective on Assisted Dying’, to ‘Why was Devon so central to the Anglo-Catholic movement in England’. If you have a topic you’d like me to talk on, or invite someone to talk on, please do be in touch.
Table Top Sale, 15th March
The Table Top Sale at Wickham Hall will now take place inside St. John’s Church due to a double booking.
Rome
I am very sad to communicate that we are going to have to postpone our planned pilgrimage. The hotel rates have continued to soar with the news of a potential Conclave in the city and it being a Jubilee Year. I have failed to secure a hotel and have had five hotels say yes to our booking before cancelling two days later and demanding a higher rate. I will work towards an October 2026 date.
Prayer Focus
As we continue in our Lent fast please pray for all of those who are finding life very difficult. For those who don’t need to fast because they never have enough food in the cupboard. Who don’t have to give anything up because they don’t have anything to give up in the first place. Pray for those who struggle with life each and every day.
Sunday 16th March
2nd Sunday of Lent
9:15am – Sung Mass, St. John’s
11am – Sung Mass, St. Luke’s
3pm – St. John’s APCM
4pm – Music & Meditation [SJ]
Divine Office Psalter Week 2, C(I), Lent 2
March
- 15th, 22nd, 29th – Stations of the Cross [4pm SL, 6pm SJ]
- 15th – Rosary Group, 10:30am [SL]
- 16th – St. John’s APCM 3pm
- Music & Meditation 4pm [SJ]
- 23rd – St. Luke’s APCM after Mass
- Messy Easter at St. Catherine’s, 3-5pm
- 30th – Mothering Sunday
April
- 2nd – St. Luke’s PCC, 7pm
- 6th – Poppins Nursery Easter Bonnet Parade 11am [SL]
- 10th – Oswestry Chrism Festival (Exeter Cathedral, 11am)
13th April – Palm Sunday
- 9am – Sung Mass & Procession [SJ]
- 11am – Sung Mass & Procession [SL]
17th April – Maundy Thursday
- 7pm – Joint Mass with Washing of Feet & Watch, [SJ]
(Watch to continue at SL from 8:30pm)
18th April – Good Friday
- 3pm – Mass of The Lord’s Passion [SJ & SL]
19th April – Holy Saturday
- 8pm- Vigil Mass of Easter [SJ]
20th April – Easter Sunday
- 6am – Dawn Mass [SL]
- 9:15am – Mass of Easter Sunday [SJ]
- 11am – Mass of Easter Sunday [SL]
- 30th – Summer Term Planning Meeting, 6:30pm [SL]
St. John’s Table Top Sale – Every 3rd Saturday at Wickham Hall