The season of Lent lasts for forty days (not including Sundays). It is a time when Christians reflect and prepare for the celebrations of Easter. Some people fast, eat frugally or give up treats following the example of Jesus, who fasted for forty days in the wilderness.

People also give to charity, set aside time to study the Bible and meet with other Christians to reflect on Jesus' life and prepare for the events of Holy Week and Easter.

Watch and Pray

The Church of England’s Lent theme for 2024 is Watch and Pray: Wisdom and hope for Lent and life. Throughout Lent we are encouraged to wait expectantly for God to meet us and sustain us through the storms and trials we all face. This Lent we are encouraged to draw on the wisdom of Black Spirituality, particularly the practice of “tarrying” (waiting) as a community to draw closer to Jesus and to each other. You can sign up to receive a daily email here: https://www.churchofengland.org/faith-calling/what-we-believe/lent-holy-week-and-easter/watch-and-pray-lent-reflections

Watch and Pray invites us to seek God in both familiar and unfamiliar places this Lent: in darkness and in quiet; in movement and migration; in the healing and transforming work of the Spirit; in the weeping of Holy Week and in the joy of Easter morning.

Our Lent course this year will be The Difference Course, which encourages Christians to think about how we cross divides, navigate disagreement and pursue a world that is just and flourishing. Through the three Holy Habits of being curious, being present, and re-imagining, we are invited to transform our daily relationships.

Each session includes a short film clip, Bible study, conversation and interaction and prayer – as always, we are invited to share as much or as little as we wish. The sessions will run at the Old Church Vicarage, from 7pm – 8.30pm on the following dates: Monday 19th February, Monday 26th February, Thursday 7th March, Monday 11th March, Monday 18th March.

Lent Courses, hosted by other local churches:

Lent Prayer Meetings at St Hilda's

We will be holding a Lent prayer meeting each Monday in Lent, 7:30-8:30pm, at St Hilda’s. Gathering for extemporary prayer for the church, the world and ourselves. (February 12th, 19th, 26th, March 4th, 11th, 18th). All are welcome.

Midweek Bible Study during Lent, hosted by St Matthew with St Chad, Windmill Lane, Smethwick

Thursday at 10:45 for about an hour on; 22nd February, 29th February, 7th March, 14th March, 21st March.