Bowland Benefice Pews News - 22 February 2026 1 st Sunday of Lent - Collect Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days in the wilderness, and was tempted as we are, yet without sin: give us grace to discipline ourselves in obedience to your Spirit; and, as you know our weakness, so may we know your power to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. This week in the Benefice Sunday 22 February 9.30am Holy Communion in White Ladies Aston 10.30am 2.00pm Hymns and a Prayer and Baptism of Arthur-Scott in Upton Snodsbury 11.00am Holy Communion in Peopleton Wednesday 25February 2.30pm Lent Group in The Parish Room, White Ladies Aston Friday 27 February 7.30pm Film Night in The Parish Room Sunday 1 March 2 nd Sunday of Lent and St David’s Day 10.30am Family Service in Upton Snodsbury 11.00am Holy Communion in Peopleton 6.00pm Evensong in White Ladies Aston Baptism of Arthur-Scott David Herbert this Sunday. We wish Mum Emily, Dad Scott and Arthur-Scott’s Godparents a very happy and memorable day. Dear God we thank you for Arthur-Scott who is to be baptised this Sunday. May your blessings of peace and joy be with him and protect him all of his days. We make this prayer in the name of your Son, Jesus. Amen. Lent Group on Wednesday 25 th in The Parish Room, White Ladies Aston. Please let Revd Claire know if you are interested to make sure she takes along enough cake! Please ring 07921 101320. Film Night in White Ladies Aston on Friday 27 th . The film showing is Finding your Feet with a wonderful cast of ‘oldies’….Imelda Staunton, Celia Imrie, Joanna Lumley, John Sessions, Timothy Spall. To book and be sure of an ice cream ring Margaret on 01905 345371. So Lent begins. What does it means to you? On the radio I heard a discussion between a Christian and Muslim discussing Ash Wednesday and Lent and the sacred month of Ramadan. All so remarkably similar – both are periods of fasting, prayer and reflection and, particularly in Islam, a time to empathise with those who are less fortunate than ourselves. A mediation for the beginning of Lent – so pertinent in the political and racial climate we find ourselves in: In my breathing – Peace. In my feeling – Peace. In my being – Peace. In my thinking – Peace. In my speaking – Peace. In my doing – Peace. In my travelling – Peace. In my sleeping – Peace. In my whole being – the Peace far beyond my understanding. For it is the Peace which is of God and which is God. In the coming six weeks of Lent, in The Pews News there will be a series of ten different and very short and simple thoughts about praying. I have used them before but I feel they are useful enough to trot out again. Wherever you are on life’s journey, I do hope something will resonate for you…… First of ten thoughts during Lent about ‘praying’…… The first and last thing we ever do is breathe. It’s important and means we are alive!! In eastern mysticism, different faiths and western religions, for centuries, breathing has been a way of connecting us – the created – with our creator. By concentrating on our breath in quiet moments we can get closer to God. To breathe is to pray. Second of ten thoughts during Lent about ‘praying’…. Smile and the world smiles back. Your smile for someone conveys a wish of wellbeing and a silent ‘thank you’ for them and for all they mean to you. A smile received is very likely a smile returned, with the warmest of wishes. Prayer is entwined with your smile. Send out love today. It will soon be the time for the Annual Church meetings (APCMs)….. Perhaps as it is Lent it is time to reflect about what we do for the church and how better we can serve our church community. How would we feel if it wasn’t there? Maybe now is the time to reassess and volunteer to ensure it continues and continues healthily and energetically.