March  Letter 
Christian and Community – A March Reflection from Alison your Priest 
March is a month of movement. 
The days begin to stretch, the first brave flowers push through cold soil, and we sense that change is in the air. Spiritually, March often carries us into the season of Lent – a quieter, more reflective time – yet it also whispers of hope, renewal, and the promise of Easter. 

At its heart, the Christian faith has always been about relationship: our relationship with God and our relationship with one another. These two cannot be separated. When Jesus was asked to name the greatest commandment, he replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart… and love your neighbour as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37–39). Faith is never meant to be a private possession. It is something we live out in community. 

Across the Benefice of St James, High Wych, St Mary’s, Gilston and St Botolph’s, Eastwick, we see this lived out in countless quiet ways. A lift offered to someone who can no longer drive. A meal dropped off when illness strikes. A friendly word in the post office, the school gate, or over the garden fence. These small acts of kindness may seem ordinary, but in God’s eyes they are extraordinary. They are expressions of love, and love is the very language of God. 

One practical way we live this out during Lent is through our 40 Day Lent Challenge. We invite everyone to bring an item of food each day (or as often as you are able) for the local foodbank, using St James, High Wych as the collection point. It is a simple but powerful way of turning prayer into action and sharing God’s love in very tangible form. 

Church, at its best, is not simply a building or a Sunday service. It is people. It is a network of care, prayer, laughter, and shared life. Whether you attend worship every week, occasionally, or not at all, you are part of this community. The church exists not for itself, but for the world around it – to serve, to listen, and to offer hope. 

Lent invites us to pause and ask some gentle questions:
Where is God at work in my life?
How might I grow closer to Him?
Who is God calling me to care for? 
Sometimes we think of Lent in terms of giving things up. While that can be helpful, it can be even more powerful to think about taking something up: taking up a habit of prayer, taking up reading a few verses of the Bible each day, or taking up an intentional act of kindness. These small spiritual practices create space for God to shape our hearts. 

In a world that can feel increasingly divided and hurried, Christian community offers something different: a place where people are known, valued, and loved. You do not have to have everything sorted. You do not need perfect faith. You simply need to come as you are. 

You may be wondering, “How can I find out more about following Jesus and the Christian faith being part of my life?” If that question is on your heart, please know that you are very welcome to talk with me or with any member of our church communities. There are many gentle ways to explore faith, ask questions, and discover what it might mean for you. 

As we journey through March, my prayer is that we might notice the signs of new life around us – in nature, in our relationships, and in our own hearts. May we be a community that reflects God’s compassion, generosity, and grace in practical ways. 

As we journey through Lent we have already had our very popular Messy Church Pancake Party on Shrove Tuesday and our Ash Wednesday service, thank you for all those who attended these lovely events.  There is still much more of Easter to enjoy… 

You would be very welcome to join us at any of our Easter services across the Benefice:
• Maundy Thursday, 2nd April – 7.30 pm at St James, High Wych
• Good Friday Messy Church  3rd April– 10.00 am–12 noon at St James, High Wych
• Good Friday Service of Music and Reflections 3rd April – 2.00 pm at St Botolph’s, Eastwick
• Easter Vigil Saturday 4th April – 7.00 pm at St Mary’s, Gilston (beginning with a fire pit outside)
• Easter Day Family Communion Sunday 5th April– 9.30 am at St James, High Wych 

Whether you come often or have not been to church for some time, you will find a warm welcome.  If you would like to meet me in a more informal way we will be running our community dog walks again through the rest of this year.  Please look at the flyer for these later in the magazine. 

With every blessing for the season ahead,
Alison
Priest-in-Charge