News for 4th January and the Week Ahead

Dearest friends,

A new beginning, a fresh start!

As much as that sounds like the title of a new Star Wars movie(!) we are starting a new year together and inevitably that prompts us to look back at the last year as we consider what needs to shift and change in the coming months.

For some, peering back at the past is painful and difficult – either because things outside their control have hurt them, or because they have acted in a way that they are now ashamed of or find difficult to imagine themselves doing.

This is why the Advent confession is so important – an opportunity to put away those things in the past before moving forward. But even if you’ve not been to confession, you have an opportunity before you now to look afresh and start anew.

So why do we do that at this point in the year? Yes, we do it because the calendar shifts, but we also do it because just a few short days ago Jesus was born once again in each and every one of us.

For many of us we are closer now to Jesus than at any other time of year, and in that closeness, we have the strength to look anew at those things we should not have done and to face the new year with renewed vigour and determination to live a better life.

We don’t do this on our own of course – but in the sure strength of Jesus Christ. Not only do we have Jesus on our side as we start to walk a new path, but we have each other as well.

That powerful encouragement of a friend at church who will pray for you as you face the coming year, whatever that is.

That powerful love of one friend for another as you set out on your next journey.

Pray for each other, and pray for me too.

Fr. Matthew

Notices

Renewal of prayer list
As we start a new term, the prayer list will be renewed next Sunday (11th January). If you would like to remain on the list or have someone you’d like to keep on the list, please speak to Fr. Matthew.

Dates for next year
I’m starting to populate dates for the coming year, you’ll see I’ve added some longer-term dates for the Oswestry events – the pilgrimage, the Chrism Mass, and the Regional Festival – do pop them in your diary now.

History of the Anglo-Catholic Movement, Talk in Exeter.The Devonshire Association History Section is delighted that Father Matthew is to give a talk at our AGM on ‘The Anglo-Catholic Movement in England and how Devon plays a distinctive role’. This is to take place on Monday 26 January at the MINT Methodist Church Centre, Fore Street, Exeter starting at 2 pm.

The Committee extends a very warm invitation to anyone who wishes to attend. Entrance is free for members and £5 for non-members of the Association and the AGM business will be short. Father Matthew’s talk will be followed by tea and biscuits and the event will finish about 4 pm. More information about the Association can be found on our website: www.devonassoc.org.uk

Lent Course
Our Lent Course this year will be “Bread of Life’ – a six-week look at the Eucharist and why it forms the model of a good Christian Life. It’s great if you want to know WHY we do certain things at mass, and WHY they are important to your life everyday, not just Sundays. Starts 19th February, 2026

Planning Meeting
Please put 15th January, 7pm in your diary for our termly planning meeting. We’ll review Advent and Christmas and will plan the term ahead, including Easter. If you would like to see something or change something, come and say!