Sunday 24th March – Palm Sunday

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A Holy Countdown: Navigating the Last Week of Lent with Laughter and Reflection

Dear Journeyers of St. Nick’s Kingsway,

As your Lead Minister and spiritual GPS for this season of Lent, I’m here to guide us through the final leg of our journey. Picture this: it’s the week starting the 18th of March, and we’re on the cusp of entering the last week of Lent. It’s like the final lap of the spiritual Indy 500, but with less engine noise and more introspection.

This week, as we tiptoe through the tulips of time toward Easter, let’s not forget to pack our bags with extra doses of patience, a sprinkle of humour, and a hefty scoop of reflection. Lent is a marathon, not a sprint, and we’re rounding the last corner with a mix of anticipation, maybe a bit of spiritual soreness, and hopefully, a whole lot of growth.

Think of this final week as the season finale of your favourite show. There’s the suspense (Will I manage to keep my Lenten promise?), the plot twists (Unexpected chocolate found in the cupboard), and the cliffhangers (What will Easter Sunday bring?). But, just like any good season finale, it’s packed with meaningful moments and opportunities for deep reflection.

Now, I must confess, as much as Lent is a time for solemnity, it doesn’t mean we can’t have a few light-hearted moments. After all, a chuckle a day keeps the gloom away. Did you hear about the monk who gave up silence for Lent? He never heard the end of it!

But in all seriousness, this final week of Lent is our chance to really dive deep. It’s about more than just the external acts of giving something up; it’s about internal reflection, preparing our hearts for the joy and renewal that Easter promises. It’s a time to ask ourselves not just what we’re abstaining from, but what we’re moving towards.

As we move into this sacred week, I encourage each of you to find moments for quiet reflection but also for joyful anticipation. Whether it’s through prayer, meditation, or perhaps a brisk walk in nature, let’s use this time to connect more deeply with our faith and with each other.

So, dear friends of St. Nick’s, let’s embrace this final week of Lent with open hearts and maybe a slight eagerness for whatever chocolate Easter may bring. And remember, it’s okay to count down the days until we can say, “He is risen indeed!” – just as long as we cherish each day as it comes.

Wishing you all a reflective and blessed final week of Lent,

Augustine,

Revd Dr Augustine Tanner-Ihm, OMS

Lead Minister, St Nicks Kingsway

Sunday 24th March SERVICE  begins at 10.15am
We look forward to welcoming back our lead minister Dr. K. Augustine Tanner-Ihm  to preside and preach. Music will be provided by our MD and Organist, Ollie Mills with readings and prayers from St.Nick’s Kingsway team.