We have made the acquaintance of Fasnachtschüechli, and very good they are too. The principle seems to be the same as the British tradition of pancakes - using up all the eggs, sugar and fat that we are not supposed to have in Lent.
When you have done without something for a while, it seems so much better when you return to it. Lent is a time of preparation - a time not only for getting the church ready for Easter and preparing the glorious festival but also for preparing our hearts for what is to come.
Lent is the time when people were traditionally prepared for their initiation into the Christian faith by Baptism and First Communion. We are doing something similar at St Ursula's, as we have a group of young people preparing to receive Communion with their families. Their first Communion will not take place at Easter but a little later, to ensure that they have had time to prepare properly for this important step. Please continue to support them in prayer.
By tradition, the Church has a Sunday in Lent when the discipline is relaxed a little. The fourth Sunday in Lent became known as Refreshment Sunday. It was also called Laetare Sunday because in the middle ages the words of the main service began with the words Laetare Jerusalem - Rejoice Jerusalem.
Nowadays, that Sunday is known in Britain as Mothering Sunday (not to be confused with the Swiss Muttertag or the American Mother's Day). The focus of the day is not only mothers but also our mother the Church and also Mary, the mother of Jesus. Mothering Sunday falls on 22 March this year and we shall be rejoicing as we welcome at least one new member into the Church through her baptism.
One of the other things that we are encouraged to do all through the year is to pray for the life of the diocese each day. We remember Bishops Geoffrey and David and call to mind each of the congregations in turn. The Diocesan Prayer Diary (copies available in the church porch and the hall) contains all the details. This year during Lent, it would be good if we can get into the habit of joining others in the diocese to pray for each other and, as God's people, turn our hearts and minds back to God.
And whilst on the subject of prayer, this year's Lent course will be looking at various styles and traditions of Christian spirituality. Why not come along and find out more?
Peter