Leaning into Lent: Alone and together

Lent is obviously a very special time of walking with Jesus on that challenging path, of agony and love, to the cross. This year it feels different, coming as it does at the end of a year that has been painful, isolating and uncertain. Perhaps that gives us a new insight; at the same time it makes us vulnerable, and in need of rest, retreat and nourishment ourselves.

So this year, we want to encourage a sense of being one Diocesan family, whilst necessarily being separated: for it to be a time of positive, Biblical gentleness in which we lean into Lent, leaning on the arms of each other and the God who supports us.

We would hope to encourage a sense of Sabbath Time, when we can create space in our lives for feeding our souls (and bodies) in whatever way we need, and claim the refreshment that God alone can give.

And where possible we aim to relieve the burden, rather than add to it in any way. So these are a number of resources we are making available and we hope you will find helpful, and use or adapt freely.

Nourishing you A sense of Sabbath Time over Lent is not always easy for so many reasons. Here you will find a variety of ways that may help you to spend time resting and being nourished.

Resources Finding ideas to use can take a lot of time and planning. These are a selection of resources and ideas that are easy to use and adapt for your own context and needs. These ideas can be used personally by you or your household, they can be used in your worship at church, offered out for people to use in their own homes or used as part of a school and community witness in your parish.