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February already!
How times flies. Perhaps Spring is in the air as you read this (we have hints of it in the middle of January, as I write this) or perhaps you’re reading this with snow outside.
It’s always dangerous to make long-range weather forecasts!
But during February there’s normally a noticeable, if gradual, change in the season as we move towards the new life brought in the Spring.
In our church year, too February is a time of transition.
As we celebrate the beautiful Feast of Candlemas on February 2nd, it acts as a kind of pivot in the liturgical year.
Christmas is officially over, and we look back with thanks but we also turn our faces towards Jerusalem – Lent, Holy Week and Easter is in sight.
Transitions can be tricky.
We are creatures of habit and often find it difficult to embrace change.
Spring is my favourite season of the year precisely because of the change it brings and the new life and growth it brings with it.
It is a time when potential of a snowdrop or crocus bulb is realised, plants grow new shoots, animals begin to look for mates, and we know that there is new life just up ahead.
Transition and realising our potential are two things that we have been thinking a lot about recently in church and Gary wrote about them last month.
I hope, that as our winter gives way to spring (whenever that might happen!) we can look at the transition and growth we see in nature, and take from it inspiration and reassurance.
Both transition and growth are entirely natural and part of God’s good plan for his creation – and part of God’s good plan for our church.
Sheena