| Dear Friends We are now well into the season of Epiphany. We continue to celebrate the Christmas joy of God coming into the world, all the way up to Candlemas, February 2nd. Why February 2nd? It’s because of the rules in Leviticus 12. To us they may seem quite strange, but for Mary this was just how things were done. So she had Jesus circumcised on the eighth day (counting the birthday as day 1). Then there was 33 days of “purification” (another odd idea for us) after which she brought him to the Temple. That took her, and us, up to February 2nd, which the church keeps as the Feast of the Presentation. Being in the winter it involved a lot of candles in the middle ages – hence Candlemas. So it’s still really Christmas… |
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| Candlemas is traditionally the final end of the Christmas season and it gives us a full six weeks to rejoice and reflect on the wonder of God coming into the world, not a day too long. After the Epiphany, however, with the Magi safely in the crib, we turn outward. God has come into the world, to bring light to the world. In Epiphany we reflect on how that light shines. This Sunday we come to the Wedding at Cana, Christ’s first miracle. |
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| Then later that day, continuing the Epiphany theme, we light the candles for Taize prayers at 6pm. Please do come along and help make this yet more wonderful. If you play a musical instrument, bring it with you. This form of service uses simple but profound chants which we repeat in a meditative way. It’s easy to get the hang of, but profound. |
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| Before that, on Sunday afternoon from 4pm, Annie and I are hosting a little tea party to welcome those new to the church. If you have recently started coming along to Holy Trinity, please do come to tea – it would be lovely to get to know you better. And if you have been around for a while (in some cases a LONG while) and would like to come and help make people welcome – please do! Drop me an email if you’re thinking of being there. |
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| Lastly, a preview of some great talks coming up in Lent, organised by Churches Together in Putney and Roehampton. Of course, we are founder members of this excellent body – shall we give it some more time and attention as a church in the year to come? |
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