During Lent we seek to devote ourselves to prayer and discipleship.
TIME TO PRAY IN CHURCH.
From March 5th to April 11th St Paul’s will be open for prayer at 11.30am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, there will be a half hour time of prayer, for any and everyone to attend.
At St Peter’s, the Church will be open on Tuesdays Midday to 3pm and Thursday 10am till 12.
At both Churches these times will be advertised outside inviting all members of our community to pop in and join in praying.
TIME TO STUDY
The Lent book - The Prayers of Jesus, is designed for group discussion and I hope you and your Connect Groups will join us at St Peter’s - either on Monday evenings 7.30-9pm, or Wednesdays at 10-11am [instead of Communion].
Also on Wednesday’s at St Paul’s between 12.30-1.30pm. This will be preceded by a BYO sandwich lunch at Midday.
Books can be collected on Ash Wednesday, and we will begin on Monday March 10th
TIME TO GIVE
I am aware that many already give generously and Lent is a time to consider giving to worthy causes. At both Churches we will be collecting items for food banks and giving to the work of the Diocese of Sudan. The Diocese of Sudan has been living with civil war and unrest since 2023, and yet is overlooked in the news. Further information can be found on the website www.leeds.anglican.org/sudan.
These paragraphs from the website gives you an idea of what is happening. Archbishop Ezekiel walked away from his home, the Cathedral and the Provincial Office shortly after the outbreak of fighting in 2023. He left with 42 other Christians and just the clothes he stood up in and his mobile phone. He is living in temporary accommodation on the edge of Port Sudan and leading the Province from there. His retirement home had been destroyed. His assistant Bishop Fajak of Omdurman is in exile in Cairo.
However the church led by the Bishops has been exemplary in their faith in Jesus Christ. While their country falls apart their faith does not. The praises of God rise. Those churches which have not been destroyed are full. Many Sudanese from the majority faith are questioning their allegiances. In December 2024 the Archbishop was able to visit Omdurman and confirm 338 people.
At St Paul’s, we are encouraging everyone to give to the local Food bank, by bringing something extra each week, and we will have a retiring collection for the Church in Sudan.
At St Peter’s, we are encouraging donations to the food bank and also to the work of St Georges Crypt, which has a list of items that are required, [see the notice board]. Rev Andy, the Chaplain will lead and preach at St Peter’s on March 9th
With the Smartie tube collection, in addition to giving in support of our fellow Christians in Sudan, we will support a local charity working with people who are Neuro Diverse.
Neurodiversity is the concept that brain differences are natural variations – not deficits, disorders or impairments. For at least 20% of the UK’s adult population, these differences mean they are not seen as ‘neurotypical’ and may be diagnosed with neurological conditions such as autism spectrum condition (ASC), dyslexia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Together we are called to keep a Holy Lent, so when we get to Holy Week and Easter we can celebrate the wonder of God’s saving love in Jesus through his death and resurrection. Holy week begins on Palm Sunday April 13th, Good Friday is April 18th and Easter Day is April 20th.
May the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen us in faith as we pray, study and give during this season of Lent.
For further information contact Rev Patrick or Rev Denise.
Patrick 0113 253 3339
Denise 07483 243841