Hi everyone.

 Many of us are still recovering from snow and ice, but it’s time to start thinking about our journey through Lent to Holy Week, to death and resurrection.  This year at Bramhall and Cheadle Hulme we shall be holding a joint Lent course entitled “We shall be changed”.  It is a Lent course firmly based in the Celtic tradition.

 What is Celtic Christianity?  When the first missionaries came to these shores, they found a church already thriving – a brand of Christianity moulded by the seasons, by the cycle of life and by the beliefs of the pagan people who already lived here.  It is a style of Christianity much in tune with an age focused on the environment, for it ultimately shows man and nature are entwined, like two snakes coiling round each other – for those of you who have seen such a symbol in the past.  It is also a belief system firmly based around the idea of transformation.

 So, we shall alternate venues throughout Lent, leading up to our Maundy Thursday service – a service of “Light and Darkness” at Cheadle Hulme.  The timetable is as follows, and I hope to see you there:

Session 1  Wed 24 Feb    7.30 @ Bramhall             Topic:     What is transformation?

Session 2  Wed   3 Mar    7.30 @ Cheadle Hulme  Topic:         Issues of cleanliness

Session 3 Wed 10 Mar    7.30 @ Bramhall              Topic:         Deserts waters

Session 4  Wed 17 Mar    7.30 @ Cheadle Hulme  Topic:         Being born again

Session 5 Wed 24 Mar    7.30 @ Bramhall              Topic:         Rending the veil

It may be that some would prefer a day time session – possibly on a Monday or Tuesday, if so please see your elder and we can see if we can arrange something.

 Blessings, Alan