Writing this as February reaches its mid-way point, I realise that it will be read as February ends and March begins. This means that we will already be in Lent and Spring will be just around the corner. January felt like a very long and dark month, but it is already light by 7am and still light at 5.30pm. No doubt as you read this, the day will be a little longer and a little warmer again. My favourite time of year is arriving, which is when I sit with my new seeds and start the tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers growing. It is a reminder that life is a cycle, with endings and beginnings, new growth and death and decay, which are all an essential part of creation.Lent is a time in which we focus closely on this cycle. Echoing both the wilderness 40 years of the first Hebrew people after their escape from slavery in Egypt, and Jesus’ 40 days in the desert being tempted by Satan, Lent is a period of 40 days in which we strive to clean up our lives and make ourselves the best version that we can be. As we rejoice that we to are free, we notice the temptation of the world around us. By deliberately giving up (or sometimes taking on) something that we will find challenging to lose (or tricky to keep up), we expose ourselves to temptation and grow stronger in our ability to resist it. Every time we are tempted to reach for that chocolate we said we wouldn’t eat, or skip that Bible study we said we would make time for every single day, we are reminded of just how easily humans give in to temptation. By praying for strength and resilience, we can refocus, restart, and get through what is, in comparison to the difficulties faced by millions around the globe, quite a simple self-imposed task. But the point is to help ourselves to draw closer to God through prayer daily. It is easy to overlook this aspect of Lent: it is a time of focussed prayer. When temptation tickles, pray pray pray! And then rejoice as you notice the effect.At the end of the 40 days, we approach Easter and the festival of great joy that brings. Holy Week is a rollercoaster emotional journey through darkness and despair, and out into light and joy on Easter morning. From the almost unbearable drama of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, where we watch with Jesus and his disciples as he is arrested and taken to be crucified, then sit during his last hour of life before his death on the cross; to the silence and stillness of Saturday as Jesus lay in the tomb and the disciples hid in terror; to the confusion mixed with rejoicing on Sunday as Mary Magdalene discovered the empty tomb and met the Risen Lord, it is well worth marking every moment of this powerful and uplifting drama. Services across Launceston and our villages will chart each step and allow you an opportunity to join in with the story.After Easter, I will be taking a two month sabbatical, during which time I will be focussing on completing the paperwork required for the end of my curacy training. I will be returning to services in July, hopefully all signed off. During May and June, there may be a few alterations to services so please forgive us if you need to travel to a different church to receive communion or attend prayers. You are very welcome at all of our churches, and it will offer a chance to meet others and join in prayer with new friends. Thank you in advance for your understanding and support, which James and I value very much.

Sending blessings to everyone for a prayerful Lent and blessed, joyful Easter,

Rev’d Jess

PLEASE NOTE. This and all other entries in 'News and Notices' are usually listed in order of date published or amended.