The homilies project was developed so that a congregation can engage in study and discussion of the lectionary when a Priest or Reader are not available to lead the service. The files include the gospel reading, details of the other readings for the week, the homily itself which can be read out loud, discussion points and the collect for the week. They are written by a variety of people, including our bishops and archdeacons, and they are intended to be used by lay leaders who are not authorised to preach.
The Walesby Group is now fortunate to be able to call upon the resources of four clergy licensed to their churches, supported by a wide team of lay and retired ministers. In addition to her role as Vicar for the Market Rasen Group, Revd Claire Burnett is Priest in Charge for the parishes of Brookenby, Claxby, Croxby, Kirmond le Mire, Normanby le Wold, North Willingham, Stainton le Vale, Thoresway and Walesby. Revd Bryan Dixon, Rector for the Middle Rasen Group, is Priest in Charge for the parish of Tealby and the Barkwith Group of parishes.
(For specific parish enquiries, please see the contact details on the website A Church Near You)
Tuesday 5th March: 3pm - 1st Tuesday Reflective Service of Holy Communion
(in the Iona Tradition) at Claxby Village Hall
Thursday 7th March: 1:15pm to 2:45pm - Lent Study 2024 (4th session), Walesby Village Hall
Thursday 14th March: 1:15pm to 2:45pm - Lent Study 2024 (5th session), Walesby Village Hall
Thursday 21st March: 1:15pm to 2:45pm - Lent Study 2024 (6th session), Walesby Village Hall
Monday 25th March: 6pm - Holy Monday, service & church TBC
Tuesday 26th March: 6pm - Holy Tuesday, Evening Prayer at Stainton le Vale
Wednesday 27th March: 6pm - Holy Wednesday, Stations of the Cross at Normanby le Wold
Thursday 28th March: 12 midday - Organ Recital & lunch at South Willingham
Thursday 28th March: 6pm - Maundy Thursday, Group Holy Communion at Kirmond le Mire
Friday 29th March: 11:30am - Good Friday, At the Foot of the Cross at Brookenby
Friday 29th March: 2pm - Good Friday, The Last Hour at the Cross at East Barkwith
Friday 29th March: 2pm - Good Friday, Faces at the Cross at Tealby
Sunday 31st March: 6:30am - Easter Day, Dawn Service & First Light at Walesby 'Old Church'
Sunday 31st March: 10am - Easter Day, Group Service of Holy Communion at Thoresway
Sunday 31st March: 5pm - Easter Day, Evening Prayer & Easter Hymns at Kirmond le Mire
There are a wide range of theological opinions within the church, this article reflects the views of the author
'The Season of Lent'
We are still in the church season of Lent, which may originally have followed Epiphany, just as Jesus’ time in the wilderness followed immediately after his baptism. Lent soon became firmly attached to Easter, as the principal occasion for baptism and for the reconciliation of those who had been excluded from the Church’s fellowship for serious faults. This history explains the characteristic notes of Lent: penitence, self-examination, study, self-denial, and preparation for Easter, to which almsgiving has traditionally been added.
As candidates for baptism were instructed in Christian faith, and as penitents prepared themselves, through fasting and penance, to be readmitted to communion, the whole Christian community was invited to join them in the process of study and repentance. The extension of this over forty days would remind them of the forty days that Jesus spent in the wilderness, being tested by Satan.
Ashes are an ancient sign of penitence and from the middle ages it became the custom to begin Lent by being marked in ash with the sign of the cross. The calculation of the forty days has varied considerably in Christian history but it is now usual in the West to count continuously to the end of Holy Week, excluding Sundays - thus Lent begins on the sixth Wednesday before Easter, Ash Wednesday. Liturgical dress is the simplest possible, churches are usually kept bare of flowers and decoration and the Gloria in excelsis is not used. This Sunday, the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Passiontide begins and we look to Palm Sunday next week and then enter Holy week.
(based on material taken from the Church of England website)
A Prayer for this Week
Lord Jesus Christ,
you have taught us
that what we do for the least of our brothers and sisters
we do also for you:
give us the will to be the servant of others
as you were the servant of all,
and gave up your life and died for us,
but are alive and reign, now and for ever.
Amen.