The next meeting will be on the second Friday in the month – Friday 10th February, at 10.00 am in Marshfield Chapel. If you have a pre-school age child you will be very welcome to join us. The children have toys to play with, the adults chat and enjoy time together, and all join in the songs, story and craft activity. Refreshments provided.

Just one meeting in February because of the half-term break:-

26th Feb - DVD and discussion at 11 St Martins Lane

Any enquiries to Janet and David Spence, 891115

Tuesday morning at Willow House on 7th February at 11.00 am (coffee served from 10.45 am) and on 21st February (venue to be arranged). (Contact Aurea Hart on 891453.)

Tuesday evening, 8.00 pm on 7th and 21st at 86 High Street, Marshfield (Contact Celia & Mike Strathdee – 891001)

Wednesday evening 8.00 pm on 1st & 15th February at 44 High Street, Marshfield (Contact Paul Sawyer – 891436)

Cold Ashton Study Group meets on a Thursday morning – for details contact Jean Purnell (891274)

There will be two services of Holy Communion – at 10.30 am at The Old Rectory, Cold Ashton (by kind invitation of Caroline Davey) and in St Mary’s Marshfield, at 8.0 p.m. which will be taken by our Area Dean, Rev Simon Tyndall.

Lent begins on 22nd February (Ash Wednesday). We will once again be running Lent Groups in partnership with Marshfield Chapel. In this Olympic year the theme will be "Handing on the Torch", using material from York Courses.

Christianity is the largest movement our world has ever seen. It continues to grow at an immense pace – especially in Asia (including China), Africa and

Latin America. At the same time, Christianity in the West struggles to grow and – perhaps – even to survive. In this course we consider some of the reasons for this and what it might mean for individual Christians, for churches and for Western culture, in a world where alternative beliefs are increasingly on offer. This theme also ties in with the Deanery initiative in May – "Flame of Hope". The speakers this year include Archbishop John Sentamu (Cof E), Clifford Longley (RC) and Rachel Lampard (Methodist) with closing reflections by Bishop Graham Cray

As in previous years we are suggesting a couple of spiritual books which people might like to read as part of their Lenten discipline.

The Nail by Stephen Cottrell. This Lent book offers imaginative reflections on Christ's crucifixion. Each of the seven chapters is focused on a different key character, who describes his or her experience of the Passion. The nails used to crucify Christ are used as a jumping off point for their reflections. Each character considers the questions: 'Who killed Christ?' and 'Who was responsible?' Each chapter includes a Biblical passage, a meditative hymn, a reflection from the point of view of the character, and a short prayer. (Price £6.99)

The Way of the Desert by Andrew Watson (Bishop of Aston). Jesus' desert reflections took him back to the desert wanderings of Israel, a period of wildness, unpredictability and danger but also one of blessing and spiritual reawakening. The author takes us on a Lenten journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter Day, from the parting of the Red Sea to Israel’s entry into the promised land. Combining these Old Testament scriptures with insight from the Gospels, he reveals the continuing relevance of the Exodus story to all who would seek to follow Christ. Through a series of daily readings Andrew contrasts the cautionary stories of Israel's experience with Jesus' perfect model of how to handle the desert experience. (Price £7.99)

If you would like a copy of either book, please contact Aurea Hart (891453)

For Delia’s pancake recipe see page 11.