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Marking Lent
Resources for Sundays and small groups in Lent 2011
Welcome to...Marking Lent 2011
Can you spot the Marks of Mission stories in the Spring 2011 edition of the Newspaper?For answers, click here!
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Bishop Alistair writes "This is unashamedly a home grownresourse. It is deliberately concise as we judge that many peoplewant something that they can access quickly and easily. It is ourhope that this material will be thoughtprovoking, helpful and enjoyable to use.
Mission is one of those words that is regularly used these days.Evenbusiness companies have 'Mission Statements.' Howeverwhat do we Christians mean when we talkabout or wish to engage in mission."What is mission?" "Whose mission is it?" "Why is it important?" are some ofthe questions this course seeks to address.
The course uses the lent lectionary gospel readings for Sundays and seeks to apply them through thelenses ofthe 5 Marks of Mission. What we hope you will discover is that all five aspects of missionare vital. It is not aquestion of pick your favourites but of seeing how each matters and need to begiven its proper place. Have agood lent."
Introducing the resources
These resources have been called "Marking Lent" as they:
- follow the Lenten journey we are taken on by this year's Sunday lectionary
- encourage us to explore our part tin God's "mission" today, using the Five Marks of Mission to help us focus.
An invitation to pause and listen deeply:
This "teens" decade of our new millennium has already begun with some distinctive challenges as we grapple with the impact of recession and the implications of unfolding public spending cuts in the UK. For many, life looks very
different today from just a couple of years ago.
It is in that context that this Lent, 2011 offers us an opportunity to pause, to draw breath, to spend some time prayerfully, quietly, reflectively as disciples and as churches. We have a chance to listen, just as Jesus did in the wilderness, to seek wisdom and fresh clarity about our part in God's work, God's mission, in the time and place we have been set.
Marking Lent Downloads Page
What is in the pack?
One leaflet for each week of Lent. Each leaflet contains:
- A brief introduction by Bishop Alistair to the featured Mark of Mission for that week.
- Sunday Scripture Starters -- some thoughts on the lectionary readings from Bishop Alastair to assist preachers, intercessors, worship planners and leaders.
- Sunday Small Group Starter -- Three questions to get instant conversations going in the pews or over coffee after worship.
- Suggestions for longer Group Work -- Material that links to the theme of the week and the Sunday readings that could be used by a Lent Group, an established small group; a mid-week discussion group...
There are also
- sample homilies available on the diocesan website for each week
- an info card and poster on the Five Marks of Mission
- pointers to diocesan resources and people to help you take this further.
Who are the resources aimed at?
If you use these resources across your benefice in Sunday worship all members of your congregations can be reflecting and praying on common themes, whichever service and whichever church they attend. The weekly themes from the Five Marks could also be used to shape Children and Youth Group activities.
Sunday Scripture Starters
You will see that each week is linked to one of the Marks of Mission. The notes on the lectionary texts by Bishop Alistair are designed to support preachers, worship leaders, intercessors in preparing and making links. Use them to get you thinking -- and to give some common themes/thoughts in the worship across your benefice each Sunday of Lent. A sample homily for each week linked to the Marks of Mission will also be available on the diocesan website in the New Year.
Sunday Short Small Group Starters
Each week takes one of the Five Marks of Mission as its jumping off point. Why not follow the preaching with some time in small groups -- or "pew buzz groups" to think about the Mark for that week. Three short questions are offered for use. Or follow worship with coffee, culture and conversation round small tables... Or give everyone a card with the Marks of Mission and the three questions and ask them to take it home and pray about it... Whatever works for you.
Suggestions for longer Group
Work Bishop Alistair has also offered material that could be used with groups that have more time -- mid week study groups for example, or Lent Groups, or after mid-week worship. Each session includes scripture, prayer and discussion but you can pick and mix from the questions and approaches offered and adapt the ideas/timing for your needs.
Should we use this instead of the Lent Course we had planned?
These resources offer a way of reaching a wide audience through Sunday worship. They can be used alongside another Lent Study Group course -- they don't have to be used "instead of".
Follow-up
These resources aim to encourage us as a diocese to be praying, reflecting, talking about are our part in God's work -- God's mission -- in our communities today. This focus in Lent 2011 will be followed by further support, encouragement and resources -- including the Diocesan Day on 7 May in the
Cathedral; a DVD on the Marks of Mission in action in the diocese; Mission Action Planning to help disciples/churches/benefices/deaneries -- to go on listening, praying, following God's call, and turning ideas into practical reality.
These resources are available in a range of formats, free of charge, to parishes in the diocese.
As a printed Leader's Pack. One copy of the leaflet for each week and of the accompanying materials.
On a Leaders CD. Useful for passing around and if you have access to a PC but not to broadband. Again all materials are saved in PDF format.
Or Download by clicking this link to the Lent Downloads Page
To request CDs or Leader's Packs contact Miss Fiona Brooke on mdt@hereford.anglican.org or 01584 871085.
For more ideas about using the resources or contact the Revd Caroline Pascoe on c.pascoe@hereford.anglican.org or the number above.