It never ceases to amaze me how nature knows it’s time to emerge from the grips of winter, to lift its face towards the warmth of the sun and spring into life again and we can see it and feel it and I hope it’s happening for you.

The year is moving on, we have enjoyed Shrove Tuesday on the 4^th with a pancake or too I hope and even, like the school children in the Church grounds at St Helens in Mareham le fen, had a pancake race!.

On the 5^th Ash Wednesday we have entered the season of lent maybe having given ourselves a good talking to and set ourselves challenges to help us get out of the bad habits we have acquired during the winter months, and maybe, like me, you are already falling short of your targets. But as we know its more about what we can do.

The 40 days of Lent, in a way, gives us the incentive and the opportunity to begin afresh, a time to wake up and to feel we can leave behind the grips of the past year by dealing with what was negative, facing up to our failures and begin again, bursting out of what has held us back from being the person we want to be.

Just like the buds that are bursting open on every tree and shrub at this time, like the new leaves showing their new bright colour we can be renewed and  filled with hopefulness once a again.

For centuries lent has given Christians the opportunity to begin again by confessing our failings and seeking forgiveness where necessary from each other, and from God.

This as we all know, is not easy sometimes to say sorry, but often needed and we feel a lot better once we have done it, with it comes healing for our hearts and minds and even our bodies.   God knows us and our failures but the good news is he loves, accepts us and forgives all who ask for it.

30^th March Mothering Sunday  – service at St Helens at 10.00 ( note the change of time at St Helens for this service only)Family service with Childrens take home craft activities.  Tea coffee and Cake and a posy of flowers. All welcome

7^th April  Revesby Church  Coffee morning . Village Hall 10.00-12.00

8^th April St Lawrences Revesby  Annual Meeting  6.30pm in Church. If you are interested in the life of our church please come and join us. All welcome.

13^th  April Palm Sunday early church 9.00am St Lawrences  ( Note new time)

14^th April Holy week begins.Service Monday to Thursday St Helens Mareham le fen 10.00am

18^th Good Friday stations of the cross St Lawrences Revesby 2.00 Weather being suitable in church Yard.  If not to be held in the church.

Wishing you a thoughtful Lent. Revd Kathy Bush 01790763266  revkathybush@outook.com