As ever, time flies and at the time of writing we're in the middle of Holy Week journeying to the foot of the cross, and then waiting in hope and expectation for the joy of the resurrection on Easter Day.As a group of churches, it's good to come together and journey together. It's also good to be able to enjoy bits of Holy Week in each of the individual churches.Easter doesn't finish on Easter Day or Easter Monday. We are Easter people, people who believe in hope, in the transforming power of our Lord who died, but who also rose for us. We would love to welcome you to any of our services at any time in the year, not just Easter. But if you're at all curious...pop along to the Easter Day service at Croft church at 10.30am. It'll be friendly, accessible, suitable for all ages, and there might even be chocolate!And if you can't come then, know you are very welcome at any service.And as ever, if you would like a chat, or prayer over a cup of tea or coffee, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me via gillian.lunn@leeds.anglican.org or on 07592016476.With blessings and loveGillian
“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.”— Charles Dickens, Great ExpectationsDear friends,It finally feels like we might be heading properly towards Spring...church grounds across the Benefice are looking beautiful with snowdrops, crocuses and daffodils beginning to open up. The days are getting longer, the evenings lighter, and the birds are louder in the morning. We are journeying through Lent this March, and although it is tempting to skip straight from Ash Wednesday to Easter Day, like the seasons, we have to go at the pace it's set, and so we take our time. Our pages will show what is happening during Lent and Holy Week and Easter, there is also details of our Lent Group which everyone is welcome to dip in and out of as they wish.Take time, if you can, to notice the changes in the season and some time to sit, be still and journey to the cross, and then to the resurrection, that time of hope and joy and wonder.As ever, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me for prayer, a chat over a coffee etc. I'm never too busy to chat. With love and blessingsGillian 07592016476 gillian.lunn@leeds.anglican.org
January can seem a long month, and so it's lovely as we head into February to be seeing the snowdrops popping up and the signs of daffodils to come. Spring is finally on its way!We packed a fair amount into January, and February looks like it will hold lots too! It's good that every day the days are getting a little longer and nights a little shorter. We are beginning to think about that next season of Lent and Easter. Easter falls on the 5th April, and so working backwards from that, Ash Wednesday is on 18th February. There will be a Holy Communion service with Ashing at Eryholme at 10.30am and a Service of the Word with Ashing at 7pm an Barton Church. After that our Lent group begins...Over 5 weeks we'll look at 'Women of Holy Week' by Paula Gooder with amazing illustrations by Ally Barrett. This will be informal, accessible and friendly, so if you've never been to a Lent Group, if you don't come to church, this will be fine!All at Barton Village Memorial Hall so easy access.Tuesday 24th February 2pm-3.30pmTuesday 3rd March 2pm-3.30pmTuesday 10th March 2pm-3.30pmTuesday 17th March 2pm-3.30pmTuesday 24th March 2pm-3.30pmFinally, particularly in this season when it's chilly and damp (to say the least!) t's important to take some time to be able to reflect or spend time enjoying the wonders of Spring as it pops up. Every year it's a joy to see the flowers and see the birds. Why not take some time to notice them and be still and give thanks. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me if you would like prayer or a chat over a cup of tea and a visit. My email is gillian.lunn@leeds.anglican.org and my mobile is 07592016476.
As we head into the new calendar year, it's good to reflect on all that the past year has brought. For some of us 2025 will have been a joyful year, for some of us 2025 will have been a testing and perhaps painful year.At the start of the year, it's important to look back at all that has happened, to pray for God's forgiveness for the things that we may have misjudged, but also to thank God for his faithfulness and the many blessings we have received from him, and ask for his guidance as we move forward through the new year. My prayer is one of thankfulness to God for this Benefice of East Dere Street and for the many wonderful people and churches in the communities which we serve. I pray too, that as we begin the new year we may know God's love, hope, joy, grace and peace and that we can continue to grow in love and service of both God and our communities.Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me if you would like prayer or a chat over a cup of tea and a visit. My email is gillian.lunn@leeds.anglican.org and my mobile is 07592016476.A prayer as we start the New Year...God of all our days, as we step into this new year, be our light in the darkness and our guide on the way.Forgive what is past, bless what will be, and walk with us in every moment to come.In Jesus’ name. Amen.
