Bolingbroke Deanery Team Parishes Faithful, Confident, Joyful 21st March 2021 The Fifth Sunday of Lent Passion Sunday (Purple or Lent Array)

• • Passion Sunday, the fifth Sunday in Lent Join with our worshipping community in our online church service. This week, we're marking Passion Sunday, the fifth Sunday in Lent. https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/church-online

10.00am Prayer in our own homes See below

Fifth Sunday of Lent - Passion Sunday Services in the Cluster 9.30am Spilsby Eucharist (PC) 11.15am Eucharist (JC) 3.00pm Evening Prayer (PC) Services in the Marden Hill Cluster 9.30am Holy Communion (+DR) Services in the Stickney Cluster 11.15am Stickney Morning Worship (FJ) Services in the Cluster 9.30am Morning Prayer (TMcL) 11.15am Partney Family Service (TMcL) Services in the Cluster 9.30am Holy Communion ()

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Please hold Our Diocese in prayer The bishops are inviting the diocese to hold in prayer the next step in Resourcing Sustainable Church in the that includes the release of a draft full working plan today and a series of consultation meetings from next week. (Ours Tuesday 16th March – )* The draft full working plan (see; http://lincoln.ourchurchweb.org.uk/spilsby/docstore/132.pdf ) is being distributed to all licensed clergy, readers, deanery lay chairs, members of diocesan synod and diocesan trustees. The plan is also being sent to each benefice's selected lay representatives who will take part in the upcoming consultation meetings. The release of the plan outlines thinking so far from the work that began in 2019 by Bishop David under the title "Resourcing Sustainable Church" to ensure ministry for the diocese that is sustainable for years to come. Bishop David says the draft full working plan reflects consultation so far and provides information for future consultation rather than being information that will surprise or is finalised. "We give thanks for the consultation so far with more than 500 people across the diocese and present these proposals to be considered carefully and prayerfully".

A Rough Guide to the RSC Draft Action Plan

Our pattern of Ministerial Deployment Proposal 1: We all work together - Collaboration Proposal 2: We place all of our Churches in one of five categories. 1 Key Mission; 2 Local Mission; 3 Community; 4 Festival 5. Redundant Proposal 3: Deanery Partnership (DP) (in our case East Lindsey) & within them Local Mission Partnerships (LMP) formed (Bolingbroke Deanery?) Proposal 4: Diocese, DP & LMP together decide funded and voluntary ministers’ deployment. Proposal 5: Every licensed minister will be invited to take part in a vocational conversation in 2021.

Our approach to Parish Share Proposal 6: A clear understanding of Parishes as Disciples & of their part in generously funding ministry. (each priest’s paid post £55k) Proposal 7: Covenant Pastors working with parishes/benefices and LMPs from April 2021, to agree share. Proposal 8: Support given for Lowest Income Communities. Proposal 9: Share pledges given under the Covenant Scheme are our bond. Proposal 10: LMP to make good any shortfall from Parish/Benefices.

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Proposal 11: Any shortfall from LMP rolled forward. A three years shortfall will trigger a prayerful review.

Our approach to Growth Proposal 12: We believe in growth as a Church in Greater , in numbers, in diversity and in our service to our communities. (7 strategic directions for Growth: 1. team working 2. disciples who make disciples 3. investing in lay and ordained ministries. 4. Active discipleship 5. Fresh Expressions, Pioneering, Church Planting and Revitalisation. 6 Mission Accountability. 7. Working with schools. All through prayer and Formation.) Proposal 13: Discipleship Growth Programme within each DP

Our approach to Costs Proposal 14: Diocesan Office should be refocused as a Parish Support Service.

Our approach to Assets Proposal 15: The best possible stewards of the generosity of the past.

The following prayer is from the draft full working plan: Almighty God, source of our hope and all good things; you call us in love to share in the work of creation in making all things new. Bless our diocese: may we be faithful in our worship; confident in our discipleship; and joyful in our service; that, through us, the world may catch a glimpse of the love you have for each one of us, made known to us in your son, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen. Please see the Draft Plan on Our Deanery Website Bolingbroke Churches on line: http://lincoln.ourchurchweb.org.uk/spilsby/index.php

We will continue to publish a short video on YouTube and link it to our website. Our Web Site http://lincoln.ourchurchweb.org.uk/spilsby/index.php Bolingbroke Team Churches YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqTDWzvL2jxeB6ESF- aP9Nw?view_as=subscriber

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Monday Tuesday Religious Leaders back ‘National Day of Reflection’

Leaders from across different faiths ask the public to join them in a national day to remember those who have died from any cause during the pandemic – being held on Tues 23 March - and to show support for everyone who has been bereaved. Spearheaded by the charity Marie Curie and supported by the Together Coalition, over 200 organisations are already behind the National Day of Reflection and today 82 prominent leaders from religious groups including the Buddhist Society, British Sikh Nurses, Professional Women of Faith, Catholic Union, the Islamic Society of Britain, the Church of , Commonwealth Jewish Council and Interfaith Matters have signed an open letter backing the day. The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally said: "Alongside all of the pain, the pandemic has also given us something, a renewed sense of community and a sense that we are looking out for each other. On the 23rd of March please join us in marking both of these - reflecting on those we have lost, but also reaching out to connect with those who have survived and will need our support and love in the coming weeks and months." 11.00am to 12.30pm Partney Open for Day of Reflection Private Prayer – Light a Light There will be a Zoom Lent Course every Tuesday afternoon at 2pm, looking at the book Living His Story which runs alongside the Live Lent booklets (copies still available in the Deanery Office). Each week is ‘stand alone’ and it is not necessary

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for you to have read the book (available from the Olive Tree £9.99) Grab yourself a coffee and come and join us from the comfort of your armchair! Here is the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85021230863?pwd=OEd6Uzhrd3lmbUFvQXhvRk4wYnhSdz09 Wednesday Walter Hilton of Thurgarton Augustinian Canon, Mystic, 1396 & Oscar Romero Archbishop of San Salvador, Martyr, 1980 & Paul Couturier Priest, Ecumenist, 1953 10.30am St James Spilsby Eucharist 3.30pm Team Meeting 7.00pm To Love and Serve the Lord via Zoom:- https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86960407171?pwd=eTd5OE9jcVB0QlRJMVlhNngwOFJ5Q T09 8.00pm Compline (Night Prayer) for Lent Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82319347192?pwd=S0pERDJXZ29HRVFSelFrTkhRQmowUT09 or ring 0131 460 1196 UK Meeting ID: 1934 7192 Passcode: 204772 Thursday Cyril - Bishop of Jerusalem,Teacher of the Faith, 386 11.00am A/C Emma Masterton’s Funeral Friday Harriet Monsell Founder of the Community of St John the Baptist, 1883 2.00pm A/C Gill Denniff’s funeral Stations of the Cross for Lent Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82394876104?pwd=VmV5c2lUSytWaXVSek1WR3JKUjRIZz09 or ring 0131 460 1196 UK Meeting ID: 823 9487 6104 Passcode: 761756 Saturday

Sixth Sunday of Lent – Palm Sunday Services in the Spilsby Cluster 9.30am Spilsby Eucharist (PC) Services in the Marden Hill Cluster 9.30am East Keal Holy Communion (+DR) Services in the Stickney Cluster 11.15am Morning Worship (FJ) Services in the Partney Cluster 11.15am Morning Prayer (TMcL) 3.00pm Evening Prayer (TMcL) Services in the South Ormsby Cluster 9.30am Tetford Holy Communion ()

Private Prayer in the Following Churches: St James Spilsby Daily 08.00 to 14.00 St Helen East Keal Sun to Thursday 10.00 to 15.00 St Nicholas Partney Thursdays 11.30 to 12.30 5

St Mary Tetford Thursdays 14.00 to 15.00 St Luke Stickney Thursday 10.00 to 11.00 St Helen Stickford Thursdays 10.00 to 11.30 St Mary Hundleby Daily 10.00 to 14.00

Daily 8am Morning Prayer & at Noon God of love, turn our hearts to Your ways and give us peace. Amen

The sick at home or in hospital, Leo Seebacher-Hobson, Nigel Worth, Kathleen, Molly, Veronica, Dorothy, Maggie J. Betty Brawn, Tristan, Michael P, Joan T. Mark, Jossie Lee, June, Hilary, Michael, Harriet, Rose L., Abby, Sheila Janes, Fleur, Mary, Jeff Mason, Rosie, Bob, (Baby) Chloe Lear, Lawrence, Ann Howman, John and Audrey Prince, Sylvia Bonsey, Anthea B, Jo & John, Bessie Reddin, Mary Julyan, Janet E, Jean J.

The Departed: Joe Hezzel, Jeanette Holingbee, Rick Watson, Jean Walton, Barry Philpott, Bob Kirk, Georgina English, Gill Denniff, John Milliken, Emma Masterton, David Mason, Jacylin Shaw.

Anniversary: Mary Mead, Eileen Parker, Joan Law, Don Thom, Milly Allen, John Coe, George Griffin, Cliff Rowlett, Bill Donner, David Cooke, Alan Cornall, Lue Mullinger, Jean Curtis, Harry Orchard (p), Rupert Fletcher, Sheila Shaw, Jack Smith, Peter Dooling (p), Judith Balderston, Frances Blackburn, Charles Mottley, Hilda Yates, Joyce Carse, Jean Thompson, Pearl Blanchard, Trevor Williamson, Ernest Bendall, Don Marshall, Edwin Bogg, John Potterton, Ronald, Joan Barrett, Betty Leighton, Maureen Clarke, Clifford Willetts, May Dickinson, Betty Leighton, Peter Allewell, John Lear, Trevor, Vicky’ Vickers, Fiona, Rachel, Isobel Eaton.

Sunday 21st And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to Fifth Sunday of Lent myself.’ He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. (Passiontide begins) John 12: 32-33

Pray for Lisa Hughes who is to be ordained Deacon at St Michael’s Church, Langtoft this afternoon

The Monday 22nd The Deanery of Haverstoe – Rural Dean: Revd Kimberly Bohan, Lay Chair: Mrs Paddy Phillips

RSC Consultation – .

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The Diocese of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands – the Church in the Province of the West Indies Tuesday 23rd Church schools in the Haverstoe Deanery , ,, Canon Peter Hall, North Cotes,

The Diocese of Bakaru - The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion)

Wednesday 24th The Abbey Group – Revd. Peter Green Walter Hilton of As a new benefice, please pray that we learn to work together Thurgarton, Augustinian and start thinking bigger than our individual parishes. Canon, Mystic, 1396 Oscar Romero, Bishop’s Council of Diocesan Trustees

Archbishop of San The Diocese of Ballarat - The Anglican Church of Australia Salvador, Martyr, 1980 Paul Courturier, Priest, Ecumenist, Peacemaker, 1958 Thursday 25th Holton-le-Clay, and North Cotes – Revd Jenny West The Annunciation of Our Pray for our congregations as we look forward to meeting Lord to the Blessed together for worship Virgin Mary The – The Friday 26th Humberston – In Vacancy Harriet Monsell, Pray for all who are continuing to join our services online Founder of the Community of St John The Diocese of Banks & Torres – The Anglican Church of the Baptist, 1883 Melanesia Saturday 27th The Immingham Group – Revd Julie Donn Pray for everyone who has connected with us throughout the lockdown periods

The Diocese of Barbados – The Church in the Province of the West Indies Sunday 28th ‘Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord Palm Sunday - the King of Israel!’ John 12:13

Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui

Bolingbroke Deanery Team Ministry Morning Worship for the 5th Sunday in Lent (Passiontide begins)

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Preparation Lord of all, we thank you for giving your all to include us in your love. Help us to follow your example, and to take up our cross and follow you. Make us ready to receive and welcome all who come to us, so that they too ‘may see Jesus’. Amen.

Hymn Jesus shall reign where'er the sun does its successive journeys run, his kingdom stretch from shore to shore, till moons shall wax and wane no more.

To him shall endless prayer be made, and praises throng to crown his head. His name like sweet perfume shall rise with every morning sacrifice.

People and realms of every tongue dwell on his love with sweetest song, and infant voices shall proclaim their early blessings on his name.

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Blessings abound where'er he reigns: the prisoners leap to lose their chains, the weary find eternal rest, and all who suffer want are blest.

Let every creature rise and bring the highest honours to our King, angels descend with songs again, and earth repeat the loud amen. Words: Isaac Watts

Prayers of Penitence and Assurance based on Psalms 51 & 103 God shows his love for us in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. We can show our love for him by confessing our sins in penitence and faith.

Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Our God is merciful and gracious, slow to get angry, and full of unfailing love. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my shameful deeds—they haunt me day and night. God will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.

Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just. God has not punished us for all our sins, nor does he deal with us as we deserve. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

I was born a sinner—from the moment my mother conceived me. God is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he understands how weak we are; he remembers that we are only dust.

You desire honesty from the heart; teach me to be wise in my inmost being. For our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. 9

The wind blows, and we are gone - as though we had never been here.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and make me willing to obey you. For the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant; those who obey his commandments.

The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Our God is merciful and gracious.

Bless the Lord, O my soul.

May the God of love bring us back to himself, forgive us our sins, and assure us of his eternal love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Word of God Jeremiah 31:31-34, The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt - a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, ‘Know the Lord’, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more. This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Hymn Go to dark Gethsemane, you who feel the tempter's power; Your Redeemer's conflict see; watch with him one bitter hour; Turn not from His griefs away; learn of Jesus Christ to pray.

Follow to the judgment hall; view the Lord of life arraigned; O the worm-wood and the gall! O the pangs His soul sustained! Shun not suffering, shame, or loss; learn of Him to bear the cross. 10

Calvary's mournful mountain climb there' adoring at His feet, Mark the miracle of time, God's own sacrifice complete: "It is finished!" Hear the cry; learn of Jesus Christ to die.

Early hasten to the tomb where they laid his breathless clay; All is solitude and gloom; who hath taken Him away? Christ is risen! He meets our eyes: Saviour, teach us so to rise.

John 12: 20 - 33 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour. ‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say - “Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Homily from the Diocesan Website As we get closer to Easter, we are now in the season that we call Passiontide; the days when we think more deeply about the mistreatment that Christ experienced first-hand – at his arrest, his torture and his death on the cross. In our Gospel reading today Jesus predicts his death. He makes it quite clear to his followers that he is going to die, which is not the outcome that they would have expected. Just a few days earlier Jesus had ridden into Jerusalem in triumph with the crowds singing his praises. But Jesus knows that his death is part of God’s plan and that he must be obedient to God. 11

The much-oppressed Jewish people had suffered for centuries under the occupation of a succession of foreign powers. In their longing for freedom, they looked to some of the prophecies of Daniel and other apocalyptic prophets to provide hope. They developed a belief that the promised Messiah would come with divine and superhuman powers to free the nation from tyranny. They associated the Messiah with the term the “Son of Man” which is found in the Book of Daniel. So, when Jesus says in verse 23 – “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified” – there would have been gasps of astonishment, expectation and excitement. ‘At last,’ many would have thought,’ Jesus is now going to declare war on the Romans and sweep them out of their country.’ Imagine the confusion then when Jesus went to explain that he was not going to bring vengeance on the hated oppressors but was going to die. And, moreover, in doing this he was doing God’s bidding! He was being obedient to God.

You will recall that in 2019 Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un met and had talks about nuclear weapons. Imagine the shock if Donald Trump had returned from that meeting and decided to unilaterally decommission all the nuclear missiles in the USA. That would be a great shock to us all. And I think that would be the same level of shock that those who followed Jesus with such great earthly expectations felt when they heard Jesus’ words about going to his death.

And I think that we should also consider for a moment what was going through Jesus’ mind as he was saying this to his followers. We know from this passage, and elsewhere in the gospels, that Jesus went through periods of doubt: the most famous being in the Garden of Gethsemane. Here in verse 27, he ponders the true enormity of what God is asking of him. He is challenged, perturbed and probably terrified, and reflects by asking himself a question and then answering it.

“Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say - Father save me from this hour? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour.”

Jesus is fully human, and he is faced at this point with the death that God has called him to undergo. It will be horrible, brutal, painful and lingering. But Christ is obedient to his Father and I think that the message we should take from this passage is that we too must be obedient to God as Christ was. And we must be prepared to face difficulty and even pain at times in our

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Christian journey through life. When faced with challenges and times of trouble we must remain faithful and obedient to God as Jesus demonstrated.

On that first Good Friday, Christ’s death on the cross appears to be a victory for the powers of this world. Death is final, isn’t it? Satan seems to have won but it is a pyrrhic victory. The holiness of an obedient Christ destroys Satan’s power. In the Book of Revelation, we read that the great Accuser, Satan, has been conquered “by the blood of the Lamb”, Jesus. (Revelation 12.10) Christ’s sacrifice on the cross brings total victory! A victory that wins for all who follow him the gift of eternal life. Today we give thanks for Christ’s obedience, and he calls us too, to be obedient to God. Amen

Questions for Reflection 1. Was it a surprise to find out that Jesus had doubts? 2. How do you feel you would have reacted if you had to face a decision like Jesus had to? 3. Why do you think the crowds, who had cheered Jesus, changed to one that shouted crucify him? 4. Is there anything else from the passage that speaks to you not already discussed? What is it? 5. What will you do this week in your Monday-to-Saturday ministry in response to what you have heard today? #everydayfaith

Affirmation of Faith Let us affirm our faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God. Though he was divine, he did not cling to equality with God, but made himself nothing. Taking the form of a slave, he was born in human likeness. He humbled himself and was obedient to death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God has raised him on high, and given him the name above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, and every voice proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 13

Amen.

Hymn My Lord what love is this that pays so dearly that I, the guilty one, may go free!

Amazing love, O what sacrifice, the Son of God given for me My debt he pays and my death he dies that I might live, that I might live

And so they watched him die, despised, rejected But oh, the blood he shed flowed for me!

And now this love of Christ shall flow like rivers Come wash your guilt away, live again!

Prayers of Intercession We pray to the Lord for the courage to give ourselves to him this Lent. Lord, meet us in the silence. Give us strength and hear our prayer.

Give us the courage to look beyond ourselves to mission in your world. We pray for our bishops and priests and all who minister in our Deanery. May the blood and water flowing from the side of Jesus bring forgiveness to your people and help us to face the cost of proclaiming salvation. Lord, meet us in the silence. Give us strength and hear our prayer.

Give us the courage to give up war, bitterness and hatred, and to seek peace.

[We pray for …]

May the shoulders of the risen Jesus, once scourged by soldiers, bear the burden of political and military conflict in our world. Lord, meet us in the silence. Give us strength and hear our prayer.

Give us the courage to give up quarrels, strife and jealousy in our families, neighbourhoods and communities.

[We pray for …]

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May the presence of the risen Jesus, his body once broken and now made whole, bring peace and direction as we live with one another. Lord, meet us in the silence. Give us strength and hear our prayer.

Give us the courage to live for others, giving time, care and comfort to the sick and those in need.

[We pray for …]

May the wounded hands of Jesus bring his healing, and the light of his presence fill their lives. Lord, meet us in the silence. Give us strength and hear our prayer.

Give us the courage to give up our fear of death and to rejoice with those who have died in faith.

[Especially we hold … in our minds.]

May the risen Lord Jesus, whose feet were once nailed to the cross, walk alongside the dying and bereaved, and lead them and all your Church through death to the gate of glory. Lord, meet us in the silence. Give us strength and hear our prayer, here and in eternity. Amen.

The Collect of the day Gracious Father, you gave up your Son out of love for the world: lead us to ponder the mysteries of his passion, that we may know eternal peace through the shedding of our Saviour’s blood, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

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Hymn Here is love, vast as the ocean, Loving-kindness as the flood, When the Prince of Life, our ransom, Shed for us his precious blood. Who his love will not remember? Who can cease to sing his praise? He can never be forgotten, Throughout heaven’s eternal days.

On the mount of crucifixion, Fountains opened deep and wide; Through the floodgates of God’s mercy Flowed a vast and gracious tide. Grace and love, like mighty rivers, Poured incessant from above, And heaven’s peace and perfect justice Kissed a guilty world in love.

The Conclusion Just as God’s Word was sent into the world to heal and redeem, so God sends you into the world this day to be light and love, healing and hope. Go now to be light for the world! And may the grace and peace of God the Creator, the Redeemer, and the Sustainer come upon you this day and remain with you always. Amen.

An act of Spiritual Communion You may wish to find a space for prayer in front of a cross, a candle, or a special place. You might choose to make your Spiritual Communion at a particular time of day, or after viewing a live streamed service.

Reflect on the day and on your relationships. - What good things have come from God today? - Where have I fallen short? - What might I do tomorrow?

You may wish to say or pray 16

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Read the following words from Scripture. If you have access to today’s readings for Holy Communion, you may wish to read and reflect on them. Jesus said, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’ John 6.35

Pray for the needs of the world, for your local community, and for those close to you. End with the Lord’s Prayer. Our Father...

Give thanks for the saving death and resurrection of Jesus and ask him to be with you now. Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits you have given me, for all the pains and insults you have borne for me. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, I ask you to come spiritually into my heart.

O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, may I know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen. after the Prayer of St Richard of Chichester

Conclude with the following: The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil, and keep us in eternal life. Amen.

A prayer for all those affected by coronavirus

Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy. Sustain and support the anxious, be with those who care for the sick, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may find comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

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Clergy Team The Rev’d. Canon Peter Coates The Vicarage, Church Street, Spilsby, PE23 5EF email: [email protected] Tel: 01790 752526

The Rev’d. Ms. Fran Jeffries The Rectory, Lane, Stickney PE22 8DQ email: [email protected]

The Rev’d. Mrs Joan Thornett email: [email protected] Tel: 01790 754151

The Rev’d Mrs Jean Coates Contact via Spilsby Vicarage – As above email: [email protected]

Rev’d. Mrs Teresa McLaughlin & Mr Paul McLaughlin – Community Chaplain

The Rectory, Road Partney PE23 4PG [email protected] 01790 752344

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Covid 19 Lock down Advice Last updated: Friday 05 March, 15.15 Following the Prime Minister's statement to the Commons outlining the Government's spring response, the Bishop of London has responded. Our current guidance on the four-step roadmap reflects the information we have on the upcoming changes to restrictions, understanding that the dates given are indicative and that further information may not be available until we approach each step. We continue to work with the Government through the Places of Worship Taskforce and will update our guidance on this website as soon as new information is published by the Government.

Saints on Earth ¶ March Thomas Cranmer 21 March Archbishop of Canterbury, Reformation Martyr, 1556 Born in Aslockton in Nottinghamshire, in1489, Cranmer was educated at Jesus College, Cambridge. He became a Fellow and was ordained in 1523, receiving his doctorate in divinity in 1526. As a Cambridge don Cranmer came to the king's notice in 1529 when he was investigating ways forward in the matter of the proposed royal divorce. His rise was rapid. He was appointed , made a royal chaplain, and given a post in the household of Sir Thomas Boleyn, father of Anne. In 1530 Cranmer accompanied Boleyn on an embassy to Rome and in1532 he himself became ambassador to the court of the Emperor Charles V. His divergence from traditional orthodoxy was already apparent by his marriage to a niece of the Lutheran theologian Osiander despite the rule of clerical celibacy. Returning to England to become Archbishop of Canterbury, he was in a dangerous position. Henry VIII was fickle and capricious and Cranmer was fortunate to survive where many did not. Yet Henry seemed to have a genuine affection for his honest but hesitant archbishop, even if he did (apparently in jest) describe him as the 'greatest heretic in Kent' in 1543. Four years later Henry died with Cranmer at his bedside and during the brief reign of Edward VI the archbishop now had an opportunity to put into practice his reform of the English Church. He edited the Homilies (1547) and wrote those on salvation, good works, faith, and the reading of Scripture. He compiled the two Prayer Books of 1549 and 1552, and wrote the original 42 Articles of Religion (1552). But the young king's 19

death brought Cranmer's phase of the English Reformation to a premature end. He was imprisoned first in the Tower then in the Bocardo prison in Oxford. Under great physical and mental pressure he several times recanted of his deviations from Roman doctrine. But at the last he re-found his courage and repudiated all his recantations before he was burned at the stake on 21 March 1556. In later years it would become apparent that the seed Cranmer had sown had taken deep root and his 1552 Prayer Book (as amended in 1559 and 1662) clearly demonstrated his gift for both rhythmical fluency and memorable phrase. It was to become a lasting treasure of the English language and Cranmer's principle of liturgical worship in contemporary English has become a defining element of the Anglican Church. Walter Hilton of Thurgarton 24 March Augustinian Canon, Mystic, 1396 Born in 1343, Walter was Canon of the Augustinian Priory of Thurgarton, near . He studied law at Cambridge, practising both canon law and civil law, before becoming a priest. His writings on mysticism were highly valued in the Middle Ages, although much neglected after the Reformation. Walter placed his mystical writings within ascetic theology, and saw mysticism as an essential journey for the soul. He presented to his readers the eternal truth of the gospel and the purifying work of the Holy Spirit, but he did so in a way which sought to bring clarity, not confusion. His Ladder of Perfection was the first work of mystical theology in the English language. His efforts to bring mystical theology into everyday English (as opposed to Latin) often led to misunderstandings and confusion. The resulting uncertainty and ambiguity would have been frustrating for him, and Walter frequently attempted to clarify his pronouncements. Walter also wrote for ordinary people who lived 'in the world' but who wanted to dedicate their lives to God. In The Mixed Life Walter encouraged the contemplation of the passion of Christ, but recognized the difficulty of such devotion within a busy lifestyle. He suggested limiting time spent both in the contemplation of Christ, and in work, so that the soul may be eager for more of both. The idea of progress in the spiritual life was a classic ascetic theme, taken by Walter and brought to an everyday level throughout his writings. Walter was not an academic removed from the real world by his books and thought. He wrote for anyone who sought to progress in the spiritual life. Though his world was one of suffering, disease, poverty and corruption his desire was a cleansing of the soul and an experience of grace for all who genuinely desired to move towards God. He stressed the role of the Church, the liturgy and particularly the Eucharist in 20

the journey of the soul. In his writings can be seen a blend of both precision and love, reflecting his twin experiences as lawyer and pastor. In like manner, it is said that God is fire. That is to say, God is not elementary fire, that heats and burns a body, but God is love and charity. For as fire wastes all bodily things, that can be wasted, even so the love of God burns and wastes all sin out of the soul and makes it clean, as fire cleans all manner of metals. Ladder of Perfection, Bk II part III, Ch. III When a soul is purified by the love of God, illumined by wisdom, and stabilized by the might of God, then the eye of the soul is opened to see spiritual things, as virtues and angels and holy souls, and heavenly things. Then, because it is clean, the soul is able to feel the touching, the speaking of good angels. The Angels' Song Oscar Romero 24 March Archbishop of San Salvador, Martyr, 1980 Born in Cuidad Barrios in El Salvador in 1917, Oscar Romero was ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood in Rome in 1942 before returning home the following year. As a parish priest in the diocese of San Miguel Romero gained a reputation as a hard worker in the traditional priestly mould with a taste for asceticism and a particular devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary (his birthday was the Feast of the Assumption). Perhaps not surprisingly, after gaining considerable parochial experience he began, in 1967, to rise in the church hierarchy becoming Secretary to the Episcopal Conference of El Salvador. In due course he became Auxiliary Bishop of San Salvador and later Bishop of Santiago de Maria. Much influenced by the conservative Opus Dei movement, he was a staunch opponent of the increasingly popular school of liberation theology. It was an irony that in an age of liberation theology, Romero was appointed Archbishop of San Salvador in 1977 precisely because of his conservative and traditionalist views and his personal devotion to the papacy. But like Thomas Becket seven hundred years earlier (see 29 December), Romero's new responsibilities made him look afresh at relations between Church and State. He began to see that social unrest and poverty were the result of government repression and the Church was not exempt from the spiral of violence in Salvadorian society. Several priests were murdered and the expulsion of a number of (allegedly Marxist) Jesuits forced Romero to speak out. Right-wing Latin American governments were accustomed to being criticized by parish priests who ministered to the poor and were influenced by liberation theology. But to be criticized by the nation's archbishop was a very different matter. A convert to liberation theology, Romero condemned violence and championed the right of the poor to economic and social justice. He even went so far as to 21

issue a pastoral letter from the Salvadorian bishops endorsing proportionate counter-violence to the oppressive policies of the right-wing regime. Nevertheless he sought to act as mediator between the rival groups and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. His achievement was to maintain a balance between extremist groups, receiving death threats from both left- and right-wing paramilitary groups and it was perhaps only a matter of time before he was murdered as he was celebrating Mass on 24 March 1980. Paul Couturier 24 March Priest, Ecumenist, 1953 Paul Couturier was born in 1881, educated in Lyons and ordained priest in the Roman Catholic Church in 1906. A scientist by training he taught at the Institut des Chartreux in Lyons until 1951. Coming across refugees from Communist Russia in France in the 1920s Couturier took the opportunity to learn about Orthodox spirituality. And in 1932 he became caught up in the ecumenical movement, when he was introduced to the writings of Cardinal Mercier, who had been the leading spirit of Christian unity in the early twenties. Discovering those writings was a turning point in his life which took on one aim: to realize the prayer of Jesus, 'that we shall all be one, that the world might believe'. In 1933 he instituted a three-day period (Triduum) of prayer for church unity in Lyons, which the following year became an octave of prayer from 18 to 25 January.This was a development of the Church Unity Octave founded by two Anglicans in 1908, but from the first prayer was specifically offered for the unity of all baptised Christians 'according to Christ's will, according to his means'. Orthodox and other religious bodies as well as Anglicans were included. From 1939 the Octave was observed as the "Week of Universal Prayer'. He also arranged interdenominational meetings at the monastery of La Trappe des Dombes and at Présinge. He engaged in a vast correspondence in connection with his ecumenical work, produced and distributed innumerable tracts on prayer for unity and was in close touch with the early leaders of the World Council of Churches. Couturier's spiritual testament (1944) is an important ecumenical text. He speaks of an 'invisible monastery … built of all those souls whom, because of their sincere efforts to open themselves to his fire and his light, the Holy Spirit has enabled to have a deep understanding of the painful division among Christians; an awareness of this in these souls has given rise to continuous suffering and as a result, regular recourse to prayer and penance'.

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Paul Couturier can be considered the father of spiritual ecumenism. Among the many who were influenced by his work was Roger Shutz, the founder of the Taizé Community in Burgundy. In recognition of his ecumenical work Couturier was given the title of honorary Archimandrite by the Melkite Patriarch of Antioch, Maximus IV, in 1952. He died on this day in 1953. Harriet Monsell 26 March Founder of the Community of St John the Baptist, 1883 Harriet O'Brien was born in 1811 at Dromoland, County Clare, the daughter of an Irish baronet. In 1839 she married Charles Monsell and accompanied him to Oxford where he studied for ordination. Inevitably, both were influenced by the spirituality and practice of the Oxford Movement. They returned to Ireland when Charles became of Aghadoe near Limerick. But he was found to be suffering from tuberculosis and the couple spent four years in the warm climate of Naples before Charles died in 1851. Before the funeral service Harriet knelt by her husband's coffin and dedicated herself to God's service, a dedication she renewed each subsequent year on 30 January. But how best to serve God was the problem. Opportunities for women were very limited in 1851. Returning to England she was put in touch with Canon T.T. Carter, Rector of Clewer near Windsor. He had founded a 'house of mercy' for former prostitutes, single mothers and other vulnerable women in his parish and was now in need of someone to take charge. Initially on a temporary basis Harriet offered her help but soon she knew clearly that this was the work to which God was calling her. On Ascension Day 1851 Carter admitted her as a 'Sister of Mercy'. But there was no community until two other women joined her the following year and the secular staff of the house of mercy withdrew, leaving the sisters in sole charge. Consequently, on St Andrew's Day 1852 the Community of St John the Baptist came into being when Harriet was professed as a Religious in the presence of Bishop Samuel Wilberforce of Oxford and admitted as the first Mother Superior of the order. With Carter as Warden and Harriet as Mother Superior, the work of the order expanded to include orphanages and hospitals, with foundations being established in India and America by the 1880s.The sisters cared for orphans, ran schools and hospitals, and opened mission houses in parishes. The Community of St John the Baptist was a model Victorian Anglican sisterhood, and Harriet a perfect Mother Superior who, it was said, possessed 'strength of character, firmness of faith, an infectious sense of humour, a gift for listening, and a magnetism which none could resist'. Eventually in 1875, she retired as Superior through ill-health, moving to a small hermitage in Folkestone, where she died on Easter Sunday 1883.

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We remember before God those who have died and we pray that God's love will surround all who mourn them, now and always Gracious God, as we remember before you the thousands who have died, surround us and all who mourn with your strong compassion. Be gentle with us in our grief, protect us from despair, and give us grace to persevere and face the future with hope in Jesus Christ our risen Lord. Amen.

While the current restrictions on daily life, necessitated by the pandemic, present significant challenges, the suffering and isolation many continue to face make the need for us to share God’s love with our communities greater than ever. Rather than just being a Lenten discipline, this year’s #LiveLent is a joyful invitation to make witness a normal part of the Christian life, the natural overflow of a life lived in devotion to Christ. We witness to God’s story and the impact this has made to our story so that others might also find their story taking on new meaning in the light of God’s love. From Ash Wednesday (17 February) to Easter Sunday (4 April), there will be six reflections for each week. Each reflection will include a short passage from the Bible, a brief exploration of the reading, and a prayer. Additionally, each week will have a unifying theme and an action to be taken during the week. We have ordered a number of copies of the booklet which will be made available to those who express an interest. The resources will also be available through the Church of England website, where you can sign up for daily emails or podcasts. If there is sufficient interest, we can also run weekly discussion groups by Zoom to think through the material. We do hope you will be able to join in.

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