LENT: a time of reflection and discovery
At St Michael’s this Lent there are a number of ways to explore and deepen discipleship:
1.Journey of Faith – a 5 week course as we discover more of what it means to be a disciple. (Thursdays at 7pm in Jean Clifford’s Home). Journey of Faith has been designed as an opportunity to take stock and build on your Christian faith, at whatever stage you consider yourself to be. It has big broad themes but far from leading to a shallow approach, this actually challenges participants to think deeply and discuss with others about what these topics actually mean for people of faith. This is the first time this course has been used in the diocese, so we are a pilot group, for this reason places are limited to 14.
2. Lent Book Club– join a group sharing as they read together Barefoot Disciple:Walking the Way of Passionate Humility – The Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent Book 2011 by Stephen Cherry ( Mondays at 2pm and 7pm in the Church Meeting Room)
This is the rediscovery of genuine, passionate humility as a healthy, life-giving and community-building virtue, capable of transforming our BSE (Blame Someone Else) society. In our celebrity-obsessed culture, humility is unfashionable and too often dismissed or confused with the cringing, false humility of Uriah Heep. Here the author shows that, when genuine humility is energised by real passion, fresh and exciting light is shone on the challenge of following Jesus Christ today and humility is rediscovered as a healthy, life-giving and community-building virtue. Stories and concrete examples as well as allusions to fiction, poetry and art engage the reader’s imagination; and big theological ideas are articulated in a highly accessible way. The emphasis on learning from challenging experiences and on very practical application makes this a ‘theology travel book’, for Lent and well beyond. It powerfully synthesizes values and practices which are often disconnected. The book is £6.99 available through church and a kindle edition is available from Amazon.
3. Lent at the Movies – come along an enjoy watching a movie, but be prepared to be challenged! (Wednesday 20 Feb, 6 and 20 March at 7.00pm in the Community Room, Kepier Hall)
You are welcome to join one of the groups or all of them, sign up sheets are at the back of church or contact the Rector by email, this is especially important if you wish to join the Book Club.