Holy Trinity Newsletter Lent 2016 Dear friends in Christ From your Priest-in-Charge It seems that we have hardly recovered from Christmas and we are plunging headlong into Lent. Such are the vagaries of the Liturgical year. One of the great debates among Christians in recent times has been whether it is better to give up something for Lent or to do something for Lent. Both approaches have their merits as I shall explain. There is, for instance, little doubt that self- denial is intrinsically good for us. We live in a culture that thrives on instant gratification: we all, in a sense, want it all and want it now. It is the basis of our consumer society. What more counter-cultural action could we take than to say no to something that we normally take for granted. So why not give up chocolate or alcohol or some such thing. But could this not be pushed a bit further in thinking about giving up wasting food, natural resources, having our homes too warm, driving when we could walk. What I am suggesting is that if our giving up doesn t actually seriously impact on our lives and on those around us then it is little more than a gesture designed to make us feel a bit better about ourselves. So what about doing something for Lent? Again, on the face of it, it should be a worthwhile approach. Many see it is a time to reflect more deeply on their faith through reading, study and prayer. Perhaps some, on reflection, realise that in terms of their faith they have been just going through the motions: going to Sunday worship, when it is convenient, but doing so with little expectation of encounter or challenge. Perhaps you go to church but are not really there at all because your thoughts and attention are elsewhere! You might be among those whose only engagement with the church is reading a newsletter such as this.
If any or all of the above is true for you then perhaps what you could do this Lent is to make yourself present, in an active and attentive way, to God. By this I mean deciding to come to church during Lent with a sense of expectation, or attending the Lent Study course with a true desire to go deeper into your faith. You could make an honest attempt to get beyond just saying your prayers and encounter God in a more meaningful. This would lead to a life changing and affirming process through developing a pattern of prayer, meditation and reading of Scripture in to your daily routine. Whatever you do, or give up, this Lent do not proceed with the idea that you are engaging in some kind of religious/moral programme of self- improvement. At best all we are doing is trying to make some space in our lives in order that God can continue that work of transformation within us: the real business of life. To use an illustration from the digital world, we all need to have our Operating System upgraded. To use religious language we need to experience a Metanoia, not merely a change of mind but a change into a greater mind, the mind of God. All true people of faith are those who see the world through the eyes of God: who know the universe to be created, upheld and sustained by Love. Who experience the world as one enfolded by grace and mercy and whose dealings with others are guided by compassion and forgiveness, they live in a world in which all things work for good for those who know and trust the Lord. We are given a lifetime to allow this transformation to take place in us. It is never completed through one Season of Lent. But perhaps this Lent you could commit yourself to allowing that process to begin and to proceed more deeply in your life. Every blessing to you all Revd Kenneth
Forthcoming Events in Lent Shrove Tuesday 9 th February: Pancake Party and Musical Evening 7.30pm in the hall. An evening of Music and Pancakes when you are invited to bring your favourite pieces of music/song on CD or cassette for an informal time before Lent begins. Ash Wednesday 10 th February: 7pm Service of Holy Communion with Imposition of ashes. Links Lunch (frugal) Wednesday 17th February 12.00. for 12.30 at St Margaret's, Lochee. See Theresia or Keith if planning to attend. Lent Course: This course will follow our usual format and meet in the hall on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm. There is no fee for materials. Just come along and see where it takes you. First session Wednesday 17 th February. Saturday 27 th February: Prayer Workshop at 10.30am in the hall, coffee/tea from 10am. World Day of Prayer: March 4th at 7pm at Holy Trinity Church. It is our turn to host and provide refreshments. Please come along and welcome the other churches in Monifieth and Newbiggin. Wednesday 9 th March: Bishop Nigel's Midweek Evening Lent Talk at 7.30pm in Holy Trinity church. Come along and hear the Bishop share his thoughts on the challenges of the Christian faith amidst the turbulence and uncertainties of the world around us.
Holy Week Palm Sunday 20 th March: 10.30am Sung Eucharist and distribution of palm crosses. Wednesday 23 rd March: 7.30pm Stations of the Cross Maundy Thursday 24 th March: (10.30am Chrism Mass at the Cathedral). 7.30pm Agape Meal at Holy Trinity. Good Friday 25 th March: 12-1pm At the foot of the Cross music, prayer and reflections. Easter Sunday 27 th March: 10.30am Sung Eucharist Prayer Basket A Prayer Basket is provided on top of the Altar linen cupboard at the back of the Church. Beside this are post-it notes and a pen. If you would like a prayer to be said, either for yourself or for someone else, please write brief details you would like to be included on a postit note and put it in the basket. The prayer requests put in this basket are changed weekly. They are taken to the service on the Sunday following and the Priest will quietly pray for your intentions. You are welcome to renew your prayer requests at any time.
Some thoughts on the Stewardship of God s Creation As Christians we should do what we can to preserve and protect God's creation rather than to cause harm and destroy. We should do our best to care for and nurture His creation. We need to take seriously our carbon footprint. As well as a Christian responsibility, we also have a moral and social responsibility to do something about reducing our own carbon emissions. We need to protect the planet that we expect so much from, not just for ourselves but for future generations. Reducing our carbon emissions is important in slowing down climate change. As Christians, our faith compels us to care for the creation God has given us. We can take many steps towards doing this. First of all, for the past two years we have had a little Christmas tree for parishioners to hang one paper greeting to the entire congregation. They can then leave a donation in the box for our Starfish project instead of buying and writing many Christmas cards and also saving on the cost of stamps. This benefits the Star Fish project which is very dear to our congregation. It also saves trees as less paper is used, it saves ink as less writing is done and it saves paper being eventually sent to landfill if not recycled. We hope that many more of our parishioners follow this means of environmental preservation. We also hope to have a stand at Easter-time for the same purpose. Did you know that in the UK alone: Number of trees cut down to make 1 billion Christmas cards each year (UK): 300,000 Further thoughts on reducing our carbon footprint Our monthly newsletter can be found on the Church website. Global warming and
climate change are key reasons for the concern about the loss of forests to meet the world s increasing demand for paper. Although looking up the newsletter on a smartphone, tablet or computer also uses energy, it uses less than it would to: use electricity for the printer, for printer ink, for paper, for envelopes and postage, and for the energy used by the post office sorting machines etc to deliver a paper copy. We need to seriously consider if we really need a paper copy of the newsletter. If you do not already have the newsletter emailed to you, would you like a copy emailed to you to look at on line? Please send your email address to the Priest-in-Charge at kenneth.gibson1@btinternet.com and you will, from now, on be sent an emailed copy. Otherwise, you can also read the newsletter online at our Church website at www.holytrinitymonifieth.org If you don t have access to a smartphone, a tablet or a computer, or if you still want to have the newsletter posted/delivered to you, then, of course, we will continue to post you a paper copy. Enza Gibson (Vestry Member)
Priest-in-Charge Revd. Ken Gibson tel. 01382 535920 Mobile: 07825554419 Lay Readers Mr. Bill McFawns tel. 01382 370367 Mrs Linda Walls tel. 01382 533107 If you require a visit or wish to talk with any member of the Ministry Team then please contact them using the numbers above. Baptisms & Weddings Please contact Revd. Ken Gibson in the first instance Services Sunday 10.30am Sung Eucharist Thursday 10am Holy Communion... Monday Group: meets for fellowship at 2pm in the church hall. Little Angels Parent and Toddler Group: meets in the hall at 10am on Thursdays. 2.00 per family. Scottish Charity no. SC009085