News from Arlesey Methodist Chapel

A word o f encouragement

I would no t have become the person that I am withou t the encouragement o f o thers. I hope that many would say the same o f themselves. That will encourage us to be an encouragement to o thers.

The annual World Day o f Prayer star ts at midnight in Samoa on Friday 3rd March, continuing for 38 hours as day arrives and passes across all the 120 par ticipant countries Each year, the material for the day’s prayers and events is prepared by Christian women f rom one o f those countries This year they have been prepared in Taiwan The theme is abou t encouraging o thers It is based upon a letter that St Paul wro te to the church in the ancient Greek city o f Ephesus, where he encouraged that group o f people to carr y on with their faith in Jesus

Christ despite su ffering persecu tion : “I have heard o f your faith in the Lord Jesus... ” he wro te, going on to describe ho w he was praying for them and remembering them. That letter was evidently highly treasured, since it eventually was copied many times and shared and thus made its way into the New Testament.

It is wonder ful to receive a word o f encouragement f rom someone Even a “like” on a social media post can lift someone And some hear tfelt words and thoughts can go a long way Might each o f us spend a moment to encourage ano ther? Let’s have a go Graham wwdp org uk sho ws where and when public World Day o f Prayer events are happening I’d like to plug one at Henlo w Methodist Church (2pm 3/3/23) and ano ther at St Mar y’s Church, Baldock (2pm, the same day)

The Well Co ffee Stop welcomes all ever y Friday afternoon bet ween 2-4pm at Arlesey Methodist Chapel. The team include creative elements for you to look at or tr y ou t. Come and enjo y some free refreshments and a friendly atmosphere. Call 07747042239 for more information.

Revd. Graham 07340 857386

Graham.Claydon-Knights@methodist.org.uk

Dear All,

I thought I would write a letter to you this month, as receiving letters is no t something that happens ver y o ften to us in our busy lives A quick text, Whats App or using ano ther platform has become the way we communicate with each o ther

So what news do I have to tell you? Well at church, we have just star ted on a period o f time called Lent This is when we think o f the time Jesus spent in the wilderness Jesus fasted, was tempted by and resisted the Devil and we remember all the events that lead to his death. It has become a time when we are asked to think abou t what this means for us. Sometimes people give up something they enjo y, maybe chocolate or crisps, to follo w a form o f fasting. Others pu t aside money to give to their favourite charity and o ften there are study groups, that read the Bible and pray.

So what is the point o f this? It helps us to come closer to God and is an oppor tunity to reflect on our lives and ho w we can learn f rom Jesus’ example o f self discipline We might no t want to give up any thing and that’s f ine Actually we can do the opposite and take on something for these for ty days We can o ffer to to help someone who is f inding life diff icult, take some food to the food bank, or just make an effor t to smile at people or say hello

Prayer too is impor tant and I would ask that you pray for your Parish o f St Peter in which you live, as we appoint a new Priest

Take care o f yourselves and we will all look for ward to the