Canon Patrick writes…This Lent, across the Oversight Area of Baddesley Clinton, Lapworth and Packwood, we are following the Church of England’s booklets, “Draw Near; Life-giving habits for Lent”. For each day of Lent the booklets offer a phrase from the bible, a brief reflection and a suggested action. In the forward, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York point out that the fasting and self-denial that is often done in Lent is intended to draw us closer to God and neighbour, but this can be achieved just as well by taking up new, life-giving habits, which is what the booklet is all about.I am sure that the archbishops are right, and their message is very in tune with our times. But I do see a certain irony. As a population, we have more things, and lead fuller and busier lives than any other population in history, yet we still feel the need to take up new, life-giving habits, rather than the need to lay anything down, as previous generations were more inclined to do. I am reminded of the little girl on the beach who sees a most beautiful shell on the sand. But then she starts crying because she can’t pick it up; her hands are already full of beautiful shells. For myself, I am trying to put down certain things this Lent, in order to make space for God.And I am looking forward to 25th March, Lady Day, when Archbishop Sarah Mullally will be installed as Archbishop of Canterbury. She has legally held that title since 28th January, but her installation is a starting point, which is badly need 16 months after Justin Welby announced his resignation.But there are so many expectations, and so may of them contradictory, on the new Archbishop, so let’s pray earnestly for God’s protection on her.With prayers and best wishes,Canon Patrick
Ash Wednesday – 18th February 2026We will mark the start of Lent with a service in each church with hymns and “the imposition of ashes”. This is the sign of the cross marked on our foreheads in ash, a symbol of mortality and repentance. (Our ash is just ash and water (no oil) so easy to brush off when dry.) 10.00am at St Michael’s Baddesley Clinton 2.00pm at St Giles, Packwood 7.30pm at St Mary’s LapworthFor Lent, in the churches we will be following the CofE’s programme “Draw Near: Life giving habits for Lent”. There are three strands to this:1) We will be distributing CofE booklets which invite us to develop a rhythm of life that will support our growth as disciples of Christ. For each day of Lent the booklet offers Bible readings, short reflections, prayers and practical responses.2) We invite people to join a WhatsApp group to share reactions (be they profound or light-hearted!) to the daily reflections. To join the WhatsApp Group download the QR code at the top of the page and scan using your WhatsApp camera. Alternatively contact Elizabeth Claydon on 07301 232179 or claydonelizabeth@gmail.com) and ask to be added to the group. Please remember that when you join a group your phone number becomes visible to the other members.3) As usual there will be the Lenten opportunity to say Compline together in St Mary’s church at on five Wednesday evenings in Lent (25th Feb and all four Wednesdays in March). This year the services will be at 7pm. Compline (also known as Night Prayer) is a quiet 15 minute service of psalms, readings and said responses suitable for the night time. Each service will include a brief “Draw Near” reflection.
I’m back! Well actually I got back on 26th November, so I have been back for a while now. I would like to tell you a little about my sabbatical.I spent most of the sabbatical in West Cork, in the far south west of Ireland. I was staying in a Church of Ireland “House for Duty”. A priest can stay in the house, but must then take Sunday services. What I didn’t realise is that out of season there is much less requirement to take services so in the end I didn’t take a single service, but I did preach three times. I visited all 11 of the local churches and I got to know the local clergy and people. In many ways the rural Church of Ireland feels very like the rural CofE, but there are some big differences. For example, in the CofE, clergy usually engage with the whole local community. In Ireland that is seen as the prerogative of the Catholic Priest, and the Church of Ireland ministers focus only on their own people, being a minority group, less than 10% of the population.My mother’s family is for Castletownshend, West Cork and intimately tied up with the Church of Ireland. I enjoyed getting to know my 3rd Cousin, Tom Somerville and his family. They still live in the big family house and the top of the hill. They have excellent records of family history and portraits of many of my mother’s ancestors. On one occasion I started talking to someone on a beach and discovered that he was also a Somerville and we were related.As I was not taking church services, I had plenty of time for cycling, visiting people, hosting people, cooking, reading, praying and writing. I worked very hard on the various Pilates style physical exercises that Chiropractors and GPs have recommended for my lower back pain. These were enormously helpful and I have come home with my back in a much better state, and I find I have more energy.I have come back to a renewed Rectory, after a major refurbishment by the diocese, including heat pumps. I have so much to give thanks for.With prayers and best wishes, Canon PatrickPrayer from Psalm 87 and Revelation 21.5Lord God, ‘all my fresh springs are in you.’ We thank you for a new year and a fresh start. We thank you that you make all things new. Help us to find renewal and new life in your son Jesus Christ. Amen.
