Bowland Benefice
Pews News 29 January 2023
Presentation of Christ in the Temple

(Candlemas)
Collect
Almighty and ever-living God,
clothed in majesty,
whose beloved Son was this day
presented in the Temple,
in substance of our flesh:
grant that we may be presented to you
with pure and clean hearts,
by your Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
This week in the Benefice
Sunday
29 January

10.30am Benefice Holy
Communion in
Broughton Hackett
(see below)

Monday
30 January

7.30pm Illustrated Talk in
The Parish Room,
White Ladies Aston
(see below)

Tuesday
31 January

7.30pm White Ladies Aston
PCC meets in The
Parish Room, White
Ladies Aston

Thursday
2 February

7.00pm Peopleton PCC
meets at Jim Crow
Corner, Peopleton

Sunday
5 February

10.30am Family Service in
Upton Snodsbury
11.00am Holy Communion in
Peopleton
6.00pm Songs of Praise in
White Ladies Aston
This Sunday is a 5 th Sunday and there will be a
Benefice Holy Communion held in St Leonard’s,

Broughton Hackett.

It’s a good chance to worship with those we might not
see very often, then to catch up with friends after the

service.

Revd Nancy Murray-Peters will be taking the service.
On Tuesday in The Parish Room, WLA, John
Butterworth will talk about How the stagecoach
changed Worcester and surrounding villages. Cost

£5.00.

And on 10 February enjoy a Sea Supper – fish and
chips - (possibly with entertainment!) in The Parish
Room. Supper costs £10. Booking essential by 4

February by contacting
[email protected]

Today our lectionary suggests we observe Candlemas
Candlemas is celebrated on 2 nd February and, like a lot
of Christian Festivals, finds some of its roots in our
pagan past. The pagan Festival of Light has been
incorporated into the remembrance of the baby Jesus’
ritual presentation in the Temple. This takes place on
the 40 th day of the Christmas/Epiphany Season.
Jesus was cradled by Simeon and called the Light of
the World and, having seen Jesus, Simeon then
prepared for death by reciting the Nunc Dimittis. This
‘Song of Simeon’ is still a very meaningful part of the
traditional Anglican Services of Evensong.
Candlemas also marks the Purification of the Blessed

Virgin Mary.

This is an ancient tradition when women have to be
‘purified’ before they are allowed, after giving birth,
to take part in religious services again.
This tradition was upheld in Christian churches,
certainly up until my own Mother’s generation.
Whereas, in our tradition Christmas decorations are
taken down before 12 th Night (eve of the Feast of the
Epiphany), in other traditions, they are removed at

Candlemas.

It was the custom too, in former times, to take
candles to church at Candlemas to have them blessed
before being used throughout the rest of the year.

A prayer for Candlemas
Lord Jesus Christ,
light of the nations and glory of Israel:
make your home among us,
and present us pure and holy
to your heavenly Father,
your God, and our God. Amen.

Claire is planning a Lent course to start on Tuesday 21
February meeting at The Crown, Peopleton at 7.00pm.
Claire writes…….Our Lent course this year, called Dust
and Glory, will explore how we can live well with the
mess of everyday life. It encourages us to take a fresh
look at the frustrations and failings that every day
brings and, rather than pretending we can always
avoid them, seek to learn from them and grow closer
to God through them. It will be relaxed and a good
chance to relate scripture to real life.
 Please let Revd Claire know if you would like to take
part on 07921101320 or [email protected]
Claire has ordered booklets for the course which is
based on a book written by Rt Rev Dr Emma Ineson
who was appointed as Bishop of Kensington just
before Christmas. Her book is called Failure: what
Jesus said about Sin, Mistakes and Messing up and is
the Archbishop of Canterbury’s recommended read
for Lent 2023. It is obtainable on the internet for
£9.68 with the Kindle version costing £7.99.