Preparing for Lent in Lockdown

Nerys writes:

It has become clear in the last few days that we will be starting our Lenten journey in Lockdown so what about doing something special this year? Ash Wedensday is on 17th February so you have a couple of weeks to look for something that would suit you. There are so many resources available that I thought I’d mention a few possibilities for you to explore.
Dunblane Churches Together is putting on weekly ecumenical study groups. For more information about ‘Opening the Scriptures: Setting our Hearts on Fire’ and to register interest, contact Anthony on lentgroups @ stmarysdunblane.org

If you enjoy reading, there are many books designed to guide you through the forty days of Lent or to help you focus on a particular theme or issue. This link will take you to a review from the Church Times of over a dozen of this year’s offerings. For those of you who enjoyed our Advent course Simply Wait, Moira Langston suggests The Way of Benedict: Eight Blessings for Lent by Laurentia Johns, a Benedictine nun at Stanbrook Abbey. Others who remember the study we did many years ago of the film Chocolat, might like Still Standing which is based on the Elton John movie Rocketman. If you have Lent books from past years you would like to recommend and/or lend to others, please get in touch so that the information can be included in next week’s newsletter.

There are also accompanied online retreats run by various organisations.

The Ignatian Spirituality Centre in Glasgow is offering Knowing Jesus, an opportunity to pray with Scripture, pictures and music on your own or to join in a weekly group meeting on line. Visit www.iscglasgow.co.uk/lent2021.html for more information. The BBC Radio 4 Daily Service will be taking up the themes every week.

The Bield Retreat Centre will also offer some material for reflection and companionship on the journey. Information about ‘Lent with the Bield’ can be found on Facebook and on www.bieldatblackruthven.org.uk

Finally, this might be an appropriate time to watch the acclaimed TV series ‘The Chosen’ based on the life of Christ. For more information and on opportunity to meet with others to reflect on it, please contact Liz on events @ stmarysdunblane.org