Lent 2024

Lent is one of the most important seasons of the Church year, a time of preparation for Easter, a time traditionally of prayer, fasting, and the giving of Alms (Charity) in a particularly intentional way. Other ways of preparing for the great Festival of Resurrection Life often include a particular focus on the study of  Scripture and other Christian writings, daily prayers and/or devotions, and abstaining from certain things in order to remind us of the calling to be disciplined in our spiritual lives. 

At St John the Divine, we will be observing Lent in community as well as encouraging individual observance. 

The season begins on Ash Wednesday, this year the 14th February, we will mark this with a Said Holy Eucharist at 10am and a Choral Eucharist at 7pm. Both services will have the opportunity for participants to receive the Imposition of Ashes (the Sign of the Cross made on the forehead).

Throughout Lent we will have Daily Reflections on our blog with the theme of 'Freedom', they will be from a number of contributors and will contain artworks, prayers, poetry and more. More details here.

We will also be having a book study/conversation on the book 'After Jesus, Before Christianity'. Two identical studies will take place each week, one online and one in person. The online study will be via Zoom on Mondays from 7.00 to 8.30pm, details here. The in person study, with a soup lunch (by donation), will take place on Tuesdays from noon until 1.30pm, details here. 

For the Mondays of Lent, starting on Monday February 19, we will also be having a short online service of Compline for Lent via Zoom and on the St John the Divine Facebook Page, this begins at 9pm and lasts for approximately twenty minutes.

On the 24th Of February we will have a retreat day in the church from 10am to 2pm. It will be a time of reflection,  listening, learning and sharing  with an opportunity to honour our spiritual journey through making. More details here

And throughout Lent there will be opportunity to come and sit in silence, read, and pray in the Denson Lounge of the St John's Parish House (office building). We are calling this the 'Hour of Slower' and it takes place on Tuesday Mornings from 10-11am.

Details of Holy Week will be posted nearer the date.