As Christians, we begin Lent on Ash Wednesday 22 February. During Lent we reflect on what must have been going through Christ’s mind during the 40 days in the desert, as he decided what he must do with his life, and how we can be repentant for the things we have not done. Lent ends on Thursday 6 April.

During Lent our 6 congregations would like to help those in our communities who are feeling as helpless as we do, in the face of this crisis, by welcoming anyone to drop off their donation at any of the churches below. The times they are open are listed here too. There is always someone at the door to accept your gift, or you can drop it off in an envelope and often there is a contactless point too.

Our Treasurer has volunteered to then send any money collected to the Disasters Emergency Committee fund and the Government have said they will match fund any amounts raised.

Our Church Services and Events, where you are most welcome to drop off your donation during Lent, are listed here.

Bradwell Church, Bradwell Village Sunday 10:30 Morning Worship. Bell Ringing practice every Wednesday at 19:45.

Christ Church, Stantonbury Campus Sunday 10:30 Morning Worship. Morning Drop-In every Wednesday 10.00 – 11.30. Under 5’s meet every Thursday in Term time only from 10:00 to 11:30 in the Church Hall.

Cross and Stable, Downs Barn Sunday 11:00 Morning Worship Chatterbox every Wednesday from 10:30 to 12:30.

St. Andrews’, Great Linford Sunday 10:00 Morning Worship and every Wednesday 08:30

St. James’, New Bradwell Sunday 10:00 Morning Worship. Saturday 10:00 to 12:00 Coffee Morning

St. Mary Magdalene, Willen Sunday 09:30 Morning Worship Monday 8.00 to 9.00 Quorum rehearse.                                                                                      Chair of Stantonbury Ecumenical Partnership          secchair22@gmail.com

Following agreement by attendees at the January 22^nd SEP Church Meeting, the decision that will go forward to SEC, then Deanery Synod in February and then the Diocese and Baptist Region is as follows:

2023: advertise for a full-time Anglican post available from August/September 2023, the expectation being that they would be appointed to take on the role of team leader, with a focus on mission and could be Team Rector following Paul’s retirement.

2024: early in this year appoint a full-time Baptist Minister with a focus on Vision Enabling. (these roles could be swopped round).

It would be hoped that by 2025 there would be 1 full-time ordained Anglican minister, 1 full-time ordained Baptist minister, 1 or 2 house for duty and 1 non-Stipendiary Anglican ministers and 0.2 Methodist minister. The Methodist Circuit has agreed to our request to reduce support from .25 to .2 on the new appointment to replace Nicola Martyn-Beck when she retires in late 2023.

When we can get external agreement to go ahead with this plan we need volunteers to help amend the current Profile, Role and Person Specifications with Adrian and Paul Brookman to help. Please volunteer you are interested in helping write this up.

Details of this decision plus other news is contained in the February edition of the SEP newsletter which can be downloaded here.