Your Experience of Lent and Easter.

Church members were asked to reflect on their experiences of Lent, Holy Week and Easter and share any thoughts, insights or experiences that affected them. Here is a selection:

“ For me, the new addition to my Lenten activities, was participation in a weekly discussion group; and the big quiet table at the back of the Holy Grounds Café was a perfect setting. The warm fellowship was wonderfully nurturing and inspiring, and I intend to do the same next year.. But above, beyond and underpinning that , were all of our church activities; the Sunday and Holy Week Services, with carefully chosen music, readings and helpful teachings to reinforce faith and understanding, -and of course the joy of singing beautiful music in our choir practice sessions culminating in the special Maundy Thursday Service. I’m so grateful for all of these rich experiences in our beautiful church and community.” - Ngaire

Lent has been a very special time for me this year. This may have been because of the regularity with which I set time aside to contemplate outside - something I always intend to do regularly but only get there sometimes. Or was it because of the sacred music we were preparing for Maundy Thursday - music that got inside my soul so that I could hear it like a beautiful ritual as I prepare for Easter. Or was it because of the suffering within the world that seems so overwhelming right now. In my past professional life I was well used to sitting with the sorry and grief of others, never presuming that I might fix things, but it is not so easy to do this in ones personal life. This Lent I feel like I am becoming more ready to sit with grief and sorrow and wonder what it might teach me, but as our Lenten studies have taught us, I am also more open to looking for the moments of joy that come with our grief when we let His light shine through.  - Susan

Lent for me this year started with quiet meditation. It helps me get a sense of what God would like me to focus on during each Lent. This year the focus I was guided towards was almsgiving. So I rolled with it and followed the journey. I enjoyed all the Easter services but I was especially moved by the Stations of the Cross this year. I connected deeply to the visual artworks from Stations, the images were very moving and powerful. Ngaire was the perfect voice to go with it, too. Her voice expresses such calm kindness which took us through each Station so beautifully.  Thankyou. - Anon.

I loved the fellowship and sharing during our Lenten study group and I realised how important this is. I loved the music during the Maundy Thursday service. The Orchestra really made such a dramatic impact to the service. I feel refreshed and mostly at peace also due to the sermons during Lent. - Kathy

I learned, for the first time, that I really have led an exciting life! And that my Mother was proud of me.  - Harry