Thoughts from The Vicarage with Candlemas dates & an invitation
Greetings ! This Sunday we are at a pivotal point in the Christian year. Forty days have passed since Christmas. Ash Wednesday is a fortnight away. Candlemas forms a bridge between the Christmas season and Lent, Good Friday and Easter. A sense of foreboding is never far away as sorrow and joy are juxtaposed. Rather like the nightingales and Lancaster bombers you can hear in this recording Nightingales sing with RAF bombers overhead – BBC News.
Mary and Joseph take Jesus, aged forty days, to the temple in Jerusalem to dedicate him to God. Luke tells of old Simeon, mindful of a promise that he would live to see the Messiah, taking the baby in his arms and saying the words we know as the Nunc Dimittis prophesying that the child would be a light to lighten the nations of the earth.
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace:
according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation
which thou hast prepared before the face of all people.
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles:
and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
Book of Common Prayer
Simeon’s linking of the Christ child with light gave rise to the custom of blessing candles, vital for illumination in the ancient world, on the Feast of the Presentation. Do join us in procession with our candles as we worship Jesus light of the world!
Come and See: Discovering Jesus through the Eucharist
This Lent, we’re inviting you to Come and See – an opportunity to explore the profound meal at the heart of Christian life. Each week there will be a bible reading, plenty of time for discussion, a video from Bishop Stephen, plus an opportunity for mindful colouring! Whether you’re new to faith, returning after a break, or have been part of the church for years, this is a chance to pause, reflect and explore what the Eucharist might have to say to you.
We’ll be meeting at 4 Newbury Street, Lambourn from February 11th at 2.30 You can also sign up to receive free daily Lent emails with short reflections, plus a weekly video from Bishop Steven. Take part in whatever way works for you – everyone is welcome. For a taste here is a link to the first video Come and See 2026 Week 1: The Servant.
Love Actually
Does that ring a bell? If not I can tell you it is a film, a romantic comedy often screened at Christmas with an array of superstars! Why, you may well ask, am I sharing this? The answer is because our very own superstar Bishop Mary will be leading a Quiet Morning just before the start of Lent on Valentine’s Day morning on Love Actually (no film will be screened!) It is being held at St Laurence Church in Hungerford – thanks to my colleague Revd Mike Saunders. All welcome – let me know if you’d like to know more.
And finally a prayer:
Heavenly Father,
we are inspired by the faith of Mary,
mother of your Son.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
fill us this Candlemas with her strong trust in your good purposes for us and all humanity.
Grant us grace to approach Lent and Holy Week
with confidence in your power to bring transformed life out of suffering and death and
prepare us for the time when the gift of life in your kingdom will be ours.
Amen.
Every blessing
Julie
Revd Julie Mintern Vicar Lambourn Valley Benefice
Diary Dates
- Sunday February 1st – Candlemas
- Thursday February 5th 10.00 – F2 Lambourn CE school visit St Michael & All Angels church
- Sunday February 8th 6pm – Taize service St James
- Monday February 9th 7pm – St Michael & All Angels PCC The Vicarage
- Wednesday February 11th 2.30 – Come & See Lent gathering The Vicarage
- Friday February 13th – Lambourn CE school breaks up
- Saturday February 14th 9.30 – A Quiet Morning with Bishop Mary St Laurence Hungerford
- Wednesday February 18th – Ash Wednesday and imposition of ashes St Michael & All Angels
- Monday February 23rd 2.00 – Lent group @ Christine’s home
- Wednesday February 25th – Come & See Lent gathering The Vicarage
- Monday March 2nd 2.00 – Lent group @ Christine’s home
- Wednesday March 4th 2.30 – Come & See Lent gathering The Vicarage
- Monday March 9th 2.00 – Lent group @ Christine’s home
- Wednesday March 11th 2.30 – Come & See Lent gathering The Vicarage
- Monday March 16th 2.30 – Lent group @ Christine’s home
- Wednesday March 18th 2.30 – Come & See Lent gathering The Vicarage
- Monday March 23rd 2.00 – Lent group @ Christine’s home
- Wednesday March 25th 2.30 – Come & See Lent gathering The Vicarage
- Friday March 27th – Lambourn school breaks up
- Sunday March 29th – Palm Sunday
- Monday March 30th – Holy week begins
- Thursday April 2nd – Maundy Thursday
- Sunday April 5th – Easter Day