February 2024

8 Buckden Roundabout February 2024 Church News Weekly Prayer Roster Each week during the year the Churches, in their prayers, remember the residents of particular streets in the village, those who work in the parish and village organisations. Those to be remembered this month are: 4th February Scouts, Cubs and Beavers, Guides, Brownies and Rainbows, Playgroup and Day Nursery, Buck- den out of Schools Scheme, Buckden Towers Youth Retreat Centre 11th February Longhall Road, Viking Way, Mercia Close, Angles Drive 18th February Mayfield, Springfield Close, The Osiers, Stirtloe 25th February Vineyard Way, Burberry Road, Swan End, Lark End, The Library and its librarians Thought for the Month As I prepare a message for this edition of the Roundabout, I am aware that in the churches we will soon be getting ready for Easter. While the shops seem to have had mini easter eggs since Christmas in our Churches the preparation begins with on February 14th with Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of Lent. The day before Lent begins, is known in England as ‘ Pancake ’ or ‘ Shrove ’ Tuesday. The word shrove is a form of the English word shrive, which means to give absolution for someone's sins by way of Confession and doing penance. Thus Shrove Tuesday was named after the custom of Christians to be "shriven" be- fore the start of Lent. Shrove Tuesday was the last opportunity to use up eggs and fats before embarking on the Lenten fast and pancakes are the perfect way of using up these ingredi- ents. You may be familiar with the French title for the day be- fore Ash Wednesday Mardi Gras: ‘ Fat Tuesday ’. Lent is a period during which Christians remember the events leading up to and including the death of Jesus Christ, whose life and teachings are the foundation of Christianity. For Christians, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, when Churches hold special services, at which worshippers are marked with ash. The ash- es symbolize both death and repentance, Over the years as a catholic priest, I have noted that people when confronted with news of a terminal diagnosis rarely wish they had worked more, rather they wish they had spent more time with their loved ones. Facing our own mortality challenges us to take stock of how we are living. Lent beginning with the distribution of ashes, invites us to reflect on the finite nature of our lives and identify the values and priorities that we want to guide us, which for Christians is linked with the example we have been given by Jesus. During Lent, over a billion Christians give up things or make resolutions to do extra as a sign of sacrifice, self - discipline and an expression of their commitment to love others. The first 40 days of Lent lead into Holy Week, which leads to Easter Sunday, the most important day in the Christian cal- endar, which marks the resurrection of Jesus after his death on the cross. Easter Sunday marks the beginning of the next im- portant season in the church ’ s year, the Easter Season and which lasts for a full 7 weeks. You might not be a church goer yourself, but I believe it is worthwhile for all of us occasionally, to stop and reflect on our own mortality: How do I think others will remember me when I die? What do I want others to remember about me when I die? If you find you have different answers to these questions it might indicate a need to reflect on the way you are living your life, to see if you need to make different choices or act differently, going forward. If you are interested in learning more about Lent, the Christian faith or would like to explore any reactions this reflection has generated in you, please feel free to approach myself or one of the other ministers serving the community here at Buckden. Yours Sincerely Paul Smyth cmf The Towers. World Day of Prayer This event will take place on Friday 1st of March 2024 at 10:30 am in the Methodist Hall.