The ‘Gesimas’ (Getting Ready for Lent)
Despite many years of driving, I am still always cautious to check the turning circle of any car I drive. Being a Land Rover person, I am fairly used to having to mount a grass verge on the odd occasion. The church year is in a brief season of turning - from the crib, and to the cross. As last week we put away the last of the Christmas Decorations, so this week our churches change their decorations from white to green. Green, for Ordinary Time, signifies growth - but we might also think of the green of the grass verge which we use to turn from the great joyful celebrations of Christmas, to the austere self reflection, and repentance, of Lent.
A few days ago, my 13 year old remarked that he was getting old - he certainly isn't old enough to remember the 'Gesima Sundays'. If you are more familiar with the Old Prayer Book (1984, or even the 1662) you might have seen Septuagesima, Sexagesima & Quinquagesima. These are the old fashioned names for the Sundays before lent. They are three Latin words and they tell us, roughly, how far away we are from Easter: 70, 60 & 50 days. These Sundays are a chance for us to get everything ready for Lent.
Getting Ready for Lent
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, 18th of February, and this will be marked by special services of Holy Communion with “Ashing”.
Ash Wednesday Services:
09.30 Laleston
09.30 Coity
11.00 Coychurch
11.00 Newcastle
19.00 Nolton (with hymns)
Lent Books:
Lent is often used as a time for spiritual reading and further study. You may want to dive into the scriptures in a more detailed way, such as reading a chapter of Exodus (40) each day, or half a chapter of John (21). You may also want to read some theological reflections.
I will be reading Lee Gatiss' Living to Please God which is described in this way: "How can we live for a higher purpose and pleasure in both this life and the next? That is the subject of this short but thought-provoking book, which traces the theme of "pleasing God" through the whole Bible, with Jesus at its centre, along with saints through the ages who have explored the same practical question. Whether read as a weekly Lent study, or at any time of year, Lee Gatiss offers a sure-footed and warm-hearted guide."
Lee was editor of a 40 day reflection on the 39 Articles called Foundations of Faith.
From a different perspective, Wardrobes and Rings: Through Lenten Lands with the Inklings by Julia Golding. It is described in this way: "Journey through Lent with the insight and imagination of the Oxford Inklings - a group of writers who reshaped Christian thought and storytelling in the twentieth century. Drawing on the work of some of the Inklings’ most well-known members, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, as well as friends of the Inklings such as Dorothy Sayers and T.S. Eliot, Wardrobes and Rings explores through their eyes a faith which is tinged with seriousness, creativity and joy."
Some may be interested in the Lent book that I published a couple of years ago - Journeying With God in the Wilderness.
Lent Quiet Day
Join us for our Lent Quiet Day on Saturday 21 February, arrive from 9.30am, and finish by 2pm. It will be a time of prayer, fellowship, and stillness. Led by the Reverend Canon Tim Jones, (Llandaff Diocesan Director of Ministry), a light Lunch will be provided.
General Updates:
The Passion for Penybont: a reflective service of music from Bach, hymns, and biblical readings, will be led by the Ministry Area Choir on Good Friday at 2pm. Rehearsals every Wednesday evening. Please see Jo Blackwell, Richard Spencer, or Tony Harris for more.
24 Hours of Prayer will return this year: The provisional date is the 13th-14th June 2026. Hilary Markwell is helping to take a lead along with myself and Jess. We are hosting at planning meeting at St. Illtyd’s on 23rd March at 7pm and that is open to anyone who would like to be involved, whether you were involved or not last year - so please do pass on the message.
Central@4 returns, running every Sunday - see you 18th January
