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Our March 2026 magazine is available in our churches from this weekend – and here is our online copy:

This edition includes details on our Lent Bible Study, some seasonal reflections and news of a shared Iftar at the local Dar us Salam Centre. You’ll also find news and updates from our groups and organisations, as well as lots of upcoming events.

In addition, there is this letter from Paul…

A Spring Detox

Lent is more than just a seasonal countdown to Easter; it is a 40-day invitation to step back from the frantic pace of modern life and re-examine what truly matters. It mirrors the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness, a period marked by solitude, prayer, and the rejection of temptation.

While many see Lent as a time to “give up” luxuries like chocolate or coffee, the season is built on three essential pillars that offer a more profound spiritual reset:

Prayer: It is about making “space for God” by quieting the inner jangle of our hearts. Whether it is five minutes of morning silence or a Daily Devotional, the goal is to listen rather than just speak.

Fasting: Historically a strict discipline of one meal a day, modern fasting is a way to “shout down the rumbling stomach” and reorient our appetites toward spiritual hunger. It reminds us that we do not “live by bread alone”.

Almsgiving: This is the practical side of Lent—turning the money or time saved from fasting into a gift for others, turning personal sacrifice into global solidarity.

Preparation

Ultimately, Lent serves as a “spring detox” for the soul. It isn’t just about endurance; it’s about preparation. By stripping away the clutter, believers prepare to experience the joy of Easter not as a sudden event, but as a hard-won victory over the “darker side” of the human experience.

If you are stuck about what to do, then it’s not too late.

The Mothers’ Union has a Lent Action Calendar (Resources – Mothers’ Union)

The Church of England’s theme for Lent 2026 is “Draw Near: Life-giving habits for Lent,” focusing on developing spiritual rhythms. Running from Ash Wednesday, February 18, to early April 2026, the campaign provides daily reflections via the Everyday Faith app (download for free from Google Play or Apple Store) and specialised 40 acts resources for families. You can still catch up.

Christian Aid, Tearfund and CAFOD have many global causes to support.

I hope you all have a ‘profitable’ Lent and be even more ready to celebrate the Joys of Easter.

God Bless, Paul