Ash Wednesday is on 22nd February this year, and it marks the first day of the 40-day season of Lent.

We will be holding two services at 11.30am and 8.00pm, which will be led by Revd Jo Burke, Vicar of Flamstead and Markyate.

At both of these services you can choose to be marked with ash, which is made from burnt palm branches, in the sign of a cross on your forehead. The ash is a reminder to ask for forgiveness, and that we’re choosing to trust God throughout our Lent journey.

Do join us for one of these reflective services as we enter this important season of study, prayer and preparation together for Holy Week and Easter.

Throughout Lent 2023 the Churches Together in Redbourn are offering sessions, activities, services and events at varying days, times and locations so that you can choose to participate in those that excite your interest and are at a convenient hour and place.

Evening and Afternoon Sessions

Thursday 2 March

7.30 to 9.00pm – at St Mary’s Church
‘Injustice and Inequality, introducing the work of the Mill End Community Group’.
Speaker Robin McEwen – Methodist Church Outreach Worker

Thursday 16 March

7.30 to 9.00pm – at St Mary’s Church
‘Insulate Britain, Just Stop Oil, and the role of direct action in the face of ecological crisis’ and ‘Christian Climate Action’
Speakers Craig Scudder Insulate Britain; Sue Hampton CCA

Tuesday 21 March

2.30 to 4.00pm – at St John Fisher Church
‘Anna Chaplains … offering spiritual care in later life … named after the widow, Anna, appearing with Simeon in Luke 2: 36-38’ Speaker Maggie Dodd – Anna Chaplain in St Albans

Saturday 25 March

2.30 to 4.00pm – at St Mary’s Church
‘The churches’ and individuals’ response to the climate crisis’ Talk and activities for all ages
Speaker Philip Nalpanis – Green Christian St Albans and a local representative for A Rocha UK

Churches Together in Redbourn Services

Friday 3 March

11.00 to 12noon – at Redbourn Methodist Church World Day of Prayer 2023 – ‘I have heard about your faith’ Christians in Taiwan bless us with the service they have prepared

Saturday 18 March

2.30 to 3.30pm – St Matthew’s Care Home CTR Service for the residents of St Matthew’s

Lent Lunches – at Redbourn Methodist Church

Friday 3; Friday 10; Friday 17; Friday 24 & Friday 31 March – 12.30pm Churches Together in Redbourn will take it in turn to provide a simple lunch at the Methodist Church as we share together and socialise.

Donations equivalent to the cost of your lunch are invited and these will be given to our Lent charities – Christian Aid and CAFOD.

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Must my flock feed on what you have trampled and drink what you have muddied with your feet? Ezekiel 34:19

… share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house. Isaiah 58: 7

Jesus said: ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’
from Matthew 25: 31-46

Words of the prophets of the Old Testament, and of Jesus, resonate with many who would bring to our attention – in various ways – the injustices within our society, and the damage inflicted on our fragile environment.

They should resonate with us, too.

This Lent … join with the Churches Together in Redbourn to hear how individuals and organisations are working to make a change for the better; offer the light of hope in dark places; and encourage us to tread lightly on the earth.