This year Ash Wednesday falls on the 6 March. It marks the start of the season of Lent. At All Saints, we have services on (at 10 am and 7.30 pm) Ash Wednesday during which people, if they wish, may receive a cross of ash on their forehead. This is an outward sign of an inner desire to deepen our walk with God and to turn away from those things in our life which hamper this. Lent, like Advent, is a time of preparation and reflection.

Of course, we should always be trying to draw close to God and renounce those things in our life which diminish us. But Lent is a good opportunity to focus on this. It is, in one sense, a serious time when we think about the tremendous love God has for us and the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross but it should not be a dreary time. It is an opportunity to grow and develop.

During Lent, our church will be holding a weekly Bible discussion group (Fridays) and also a weekly group (Wednesday evening) in which we will be using, as a starter for discussion, a booklet entitled “Daring to see God now”. The groups are open to anyone and are friendly, informal and inclusive.

If you would like further information, please contact Rev Janet on vicar@allsaintscheadlehulme.org.uk or on 0161 485 3455