NEWSLETTER

February 2002 From the Revd. Nansi Davies, Curate. Dear Friends, Despite the short days, the cold and often wet weather, there are clear indications that Spring is coming; there are snowdrops in bloom in various parts of my garden and the spring flowers are showing their heads. Perhaps daffodils will bloom in time for St. David's Day. That Spring is almost upon us is indicated in the church calendar. Easter Day is March 31st, which means that the season of Lent begins on the 13th February, Ash Wednesday. Watch out for announcements about our Lent course and other observances, and try to fit some of our fellowship gathering in your busy diaries. As I write I am about to set off for a visit to Jordan as the guest of the Jordan Tourist Board.The group with whom I am travelling will be seeing some of the newly prepared Christian sites in readiness for group travel from Christian churches throughout the UK. So much has been said and written about the sites in Israel that it is easily forgotten that many parts of Jordan were visited by Our Lord. Many places mentioned in the Old Testament are in Jordan. A week will seem too short to absorb all these wonderful places but I am still hoping to arrange a visit later this year to Israel, war permitting, and of course half the tour will include Jordan. This forthcoming visit will be a good preparation. Part of our visit will be to the Wilderness of the New Testament and this seems timely given the season of Lent which begins with remembering our Lord's 40 days in the desert where he was tempted by the devil. I'm hoping not to meet Satan because being weak and frail I am sure I would fall for his wiles. The Church provides Lent as a period of preparation and for the strengthening of our faith so that at Easter we can truly celebrate our faith in the Resurrection of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Please pray for this group of clerics on this journey, for we need your prayers. Also remember in your prayers all those who have been recently bereaved and for those who are sick, including our vicar, Hugh Trenchard. We hope that he will be soon able to return to us in our worship and the life of the four parishes. With love and prayers for you all, Nansi Davies Curate.