The Baroness who claims to have noticed some ‘Green Shoots’ in the economy received rather a roasting from her government recently; but another minister claims to have seen some in the housing market too. I love looking for Green Shoots. When I was a very little girl my mum and I used to walk round the garden regularly to see what was pushing through the earth – and I still do it. This time of year is especially rewarding – but anyone who has walked past The Rectory garden recently will know that, in the front at least, I have to shift a lot of the debris from last year before many of the green shoots are visible. There are some, however - quite a lot in fact.

There will be many in the country at the moment for whom the sight of even the tiniest green shoot of economic recovery would be most welcome. Daily we hear of more and more firms going into receivership and jobs being lost – and it is not just ‘out there’ in the commercial and industrial centres of the country, it is here with us, even in the village. There is no doubt that it is a time of great anxiety and strain and for many any talk of faith will be misplaced. In some people’s minds, God has a lot to answer for – even the foolishness of mortals.

But we are approaching the season of Lent – Ash Wednesday is on 25^th February – which has a lot to teach us about clearing away the debris and watching for the new life. FD Roosevelt’s address at the time of his inauguration during the deep depression of the 1930’s has been much quoted recently ‘We have nothing to fear but fear itself’ In other words, have faith that the recovery will happen and you are half way there! I think Lent teaches us the same thing. It is a time for taking stock, for looking at what we can clear out in order to let the love of God and the promise of the resurrection, the best ‘Green Shoot’ of all, shine through. The gospels tell us that God knows us and loves us all – even to the very hairs on our head – and that if we have faith in Him He will not let us suffer beyond our endurance, whether that suffering is as a result of economic collapse or personal tragedy.

It reminds me of that wonderful Easter hymn whose first and last verse I quote

‘Now the green blade riseth from the buried grain,

wheat that in dark earth many days has lain;

love lives again, that with the dead has been:

When our hearts are wintry, grieving or in pain,

Thy touch can call us back to life again,

Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:

love is come again, like wheat that springeth green’*

Yours in Christ

Jo Spray

*written by J.M.C.Crum © Oxford University Press.

grace to keep Lent well

all who are anxious about jobs and livelihoods

the new administration in the USA

We have just begun Confirmation classes for young people. We met for the first time at the end of January. If for some reason your son or daughter missed the date, do please get in touch and we will arrange for them to catch up and join in.

Jo Spray 01234 881312

We shall again be sharing Lent Study Groups with our friends from Turvey Abbey. Details are not finalized at present but will be available in church and at the Abbey later in the month. If you miss them there and would like details, please telephone.

Jo Spray 01234 881312