Mothering Sunday

Here comes the fourth Sunday of Lent, when the mood lightens and we celebrate Mothering Sunday. Hurrah!

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No surprise that the CL website is busily downloading multiple copies of Francesca Proud's new service outline and resources, including a series of images by the brilliant Brent Clark.

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The text refers to a video clip. Apologies that some subscribers have had difficulty locating it. Check this link!

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And while I'm here .....

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You can also find tip-top Mothering Sunday resources via the splendid website of (who else?) Mothers' Union. Check here for this year's service.

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And - if you're stuck for a gift for your Mum. Check MU's Make a Mother's Day scheme.

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I was particularly touched that this brilliant idea is open to people (like me) whose mother is in heaven, a location unreachable via Interflora. MU allows you to make a gift 'in memory'.

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Inclusive, or what?

Ready to Lead

Published in January, this new book from CPAS Leadership Development Adviser Ruth Hassall is already making an impact.

Here's a link to a very enthusiastic review from the Sophia Network.

More information from the CPAS online shop. And click here for info regarding the new course Growing Leaders - Youth Edition.

The Things He Carried

Not too late to decide on a Lent book, if you haven't already done so.
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These meditations for Lent and Holy Week come from Bishop Stephen Cottrell, who focuses on the ancient Christian tradition of pondering the 'instruments of the Passion'.

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You can check an extract here.

The Hermeneutics Cafe

Here's a new UK-based Facebook group for church leaders (of all types) to chat, swap ideas and generally do what you'd do during a relaxed visit to a cafe with friends.

You can check it out via this link.

Know of other internet networks that may be of interest to CL readers? Please let us know!

Lent approaches

Broadcaster and writer Brian Draper (Oasis, CL68) is preparing for Lent.

He says: Lent starts on 25 February, and this year I’m writing a series of daily reflections for leaders like you, to help you make the most of a season packed with potential, and to regain some soulful perspective.

Personally, I've always found Lent to be an exceptionally fruitful time for focused reflection; it offers a profound period in the calendar to think about ‘what we do’ and how it really aligns with ‘who we are’, for a start.

My brand new e-mail reflections won’t take you long to read, but they will help you to start each week-day in Lent as you mean to go on – by reflecting on who you are, what you do, and how this links with Lent.

They’ll include inspiring quotations, incisive questions and practical ideas, and will form a 40-day journey of spiritual re:discovery.

My suggested contribution is £20 for the series (groups such as cells, businesses and churches may sign up corporately for £80).

To receive the ‘Lent 40’, please e-mail me quoting 'Lent 40' and saying ‘Yes please’.

I’ll put your name on the list and send you details of how to pay.Your journey will begin on February 25. Now – at this time of all times! - is the chance to regain some soulful focus. I look forward to hearing from you!

Check Brian's Echosounder website here.

Epiphany

Happy New Year! Here's to a great 2009 for all CL subscribers - and readers of the CL blog!

How encouraging to return to work to find two unsolicited contributions of resources that have gone down well at recent services.

There's a neat idea for Christmas morning featuring crackers. Thanks to David and Tina Smith of Exeter.

And you can also download a monologue and PowerPoint for an Epiphany monologue. Tip-top! Thank you, Nick Grew of Surrey.

Subscribers can download these resources in the usual way, using the 'Search CPAS' box. Use key words: CL70 Crackers / CL70 Epiphany.

Thrift

Who knows where we'll be in terms of our cash-related concerns by the end of 2009?

It's definitely a time for careful consideration of everything related to money.

Church of England Newspaper columnist Steve Tilley offered some useful links in his November contribution.

It's now available on his personal blog. Well worth a look.