Over the past forty days, we have entered once more the gentle, searching season of Lent. I began, in my Homiles in Church, by reflecting on the habits we so often adopt for Lent - the giving up of wine or chocolate, or other small comforts. These sacrifices are not without value, however, I challenged us that the call of this season is not simply to go without, but to go within.
To make space—not merely in our cupboards, but in our hearts, and minds and spirits. The Psalmist writes, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Perhaps this is the truest Lenten discipline: not striving, but surrendering; not subtracting, but attending. Making time to be still with our God.
I challenged us, instead of giving something up, what if we took something up? A quiet ten minutes each day. A walk in prayerful awareness amongst the beauty of our parish. A willingness to simply be with God, without agenda or anxiety.
The poet George Herbert (1593-1633) captures something of this sacred turning:
“Who goeth in the way which Christ hath gone,
Is much more sure to meet with Him, than one
That travelleth by-ways.”
Huge thanks to Jane, our LLM who has taken up my challenge to write reflections for our BEEB WhatsApp group. (Beaulieu, Exbury and East Boldre - aka BEEB). They have been truly inspiring and have encouraged us to steer our gaze towards this Lent being less about absence, and more about presence.
It has also been lovely to have Julie, an Ordinand from St Winn’s, Totton, on placement with us. It’s been great to get to know her and for her to travel with us at this sacred time. We wish all every blessing as she prepares for her Ordination in June.
I led two special Lenten Sessions. Firstly, welcoming back our dear friends Fiona and Elenor to Exbury Church for ‘Sounds of Healing’. Another beautiful opportunity to lie down on Holy Ground and be immersed in spirit filled sounds of Grace.
During ‘Words of Wisdom’ in Abbey Church, I led us through prayer, mindfulness and mediation techniques, centring around the words of Christ, with extracts from St Julian of Norwich, Meister Eckhart, Etty Hillesum, to name a few, and more immersive sounds from our sacred Angelus Bell.
Lent is an opportunity, less about denial, and more about discovery.
This Lent I have asked only one thing - to make time to just be with your God.
As Lent draws now to its close, we stand on the threshold of something extraordinary.
Ahead lies Palm Sunday, the solemn beauty of Holy Week, the stillness of the Triduum, and then—glorious and surprising—Easter, and the new life it brings to us all.
As we move from this season of quiet reflection into the unfolding mystery of Holy Week and the joy of Easter, may all that we have gently begun now continue to take root within us. May we continue to lean into our faith, making time to be still with God, not just in this season of Lent, but every season of our lives. Amen.
The light on this feast of Epiphany has been miraculous.
Sunrise on this Holy Day was a sight to behold, the palette of colours on the horizon a gift for those who took the opportunity to see.
I have had a joyous Christmas. My second as Rector, we saw record numbers at every service right across the Parish. From Candle-lit Carols in the Abbey, to ‘Dogs & Children too!’ in Exbury, to river bound ‘Carols on the way to the Pub’ at Buckler’s Hard, to Christingles full of delight in East Boldre, it was quite the adventure.
As we begin to take down the decorations, and get back into something vaguely resembling routine, I observe that we come away from this Christmas with a sense of transformation in the air.
Winter is the time for transformation. As the earth turns inward, so too are we designed to use this time of year for nourishment, for resting, for reflecting, and for gently growing into the people we have been made to be, once more.
The light since the equinox of the sun on December 21st has been exquisite.
The shortest day is now well behind us. As the earth begins to awaken from her seasonal respite, and as we turn back towards lighter, longer days, I pray we do so gently. Generously. Mindfully. Embracing what we have discovered in the nurturing of the Christmas Season.
This is the season of nurturing: of our communities; of ourselves; and of the adventure that is faith.
The light that Christ brings into the world is miraculous.
As we have once again celebrated God here on earth, as the Messiah, the Christ-child, we are reminded at Epiphany that that baby in the manager wasn’t born for the exclusive few, but for the inclusive many. That that inclusion, like Christ himself, breaks downs all human and earthly barriers, and acts as a bridge between all people. From all walks of life. From all nations.
The Magi knew that the bridge between heaven and earth was coming into the world and followed a star until they found it. This bridge was not in the form of a great warrior king, but a small innocent child.
The star, that auspicious exactitude of light, led the Magi to the manifestation of Divinity here on earth, whose life transformed the world.
There must have been a sense of transformation in the air on that Holy Night. That Holy Night when those who were wise knelt down before a tiny child, and knew that life would never be the same again. Their gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh, acting as a mystical insight into what was to come. Gold for Kingship, Frankincense for Divinity and Myrrh for Embalming.
Being together this Christmas has been a sight to behold. I pray that, like the Magi, we are inspired to journey on in our own quests of faith. I pray that we use the gifts of our Parish in this beautiful part of the world to see the signs of God’s presence here in creation. I pray that this winter, we continue to root down into the season and be nourished by the comfort that the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not over come it.
So as we begin to take down the decorations, why not leave a few of those evergreens indoors. For a while, maybe leave a branch - maybe leave the whole tree! The lights on the tree though, like so many stars, we could even keep them out all the year through.
But whatever we use as our reminder, I encourage us all to choose one thing that, when we see it, we take the opportunity to notice and experience The Light all around us. God’s Light, both Miraculous and Exquisite, and so much more. And there, transformational, nurturing, inspirational, for us all. Amen.
I share the news that in the wake of the Makin Report, The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned from his role.
First and foremost, my thoughts and prayers are with the victims of John Symth, both in the UK and overseas, and all those impacted by safeguarding issues.
I want to personally assure everyone that I, and all the churches in our benefice, take safeguarding extremely seriously, and that we are here to support you if anyone has been affected by any of the issues around The Archbishop’s decision.
The following weeks will be a difficult time for The Church of England and The Anglican Communion.
Please be assured I’m keeping all of this and all our church life in my prayers. As I know you are too.
I have included some key safeguarding contacts underneath and a link to a letter to the diocese from Bishop Philip.
In the meantime, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me if you’d like to talk.
Love and prayers,
Rev Catherine
Beaulieu benefice safeguarding contacts: Sophie Burton
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Winchester Diocese: 01962737317 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
One month ago today, I had the joy and privilege of being licensed and installed here at Beaulieu Abbey Church, St Paul’s and St Katharine’s.
How quickly that month has passed! It's been a whirlwind of joyful moments and meaningful encounters, from the red doors of Beaulieu High Street to the winding footpaths across our beautiful benefice.
I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know this place and many of its residents - and yes, that means the donkeys, ponies, and cows too! There have been pastoral visits, churchyard clear-ups, coffee mornings, tea and Scrabble afternoons, school visits, harvest thanksgivings, and so much more. It has been a true and wonderful welcome, not only here in Beaulieu but also in Exbury and East Boldre. Already, Alexander, the children and I feel quite at home.
As we gently turn towards the end of 2024, we are also approaching the close of our church year. Soon, we’ll come together to mark All Saints’ and All Souls’, remembering those who have gone before us; then we’ll mark Remembrance Sunday, a day that holds a very special place in my heart. It’s a time for us to honour and remember those who gave their lives in service so that we might live in freedom. Soon after this, Christ the King Sunday. Then, with Advent, our new church year will begin in that beautiful season of expectant waiting for the Messiah.
Although I’m not delivering this from the Rectory study itself just yet (hopefully, next month!) I want to say how deeply grateful I am for the warmth, support, and kindness that has surrounded me and my family here. May we go forward together, rooted in God’s love and Christ’s faith, into all the blessings this season holds.
With love and prayers,
Reverend Catherine
From the Rectory Study
Safeguarding
Details
PROMOTING A SAFER CHURCH
The Gospel speaks of welcome for all. Being faithful to this compels us to take with the utmost seriousness the challenge of preventing abuse from happening and responding well where it has.
For information, guidance & resources, please visit www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding. Further information is displayed on the notice boards in the Church porch.
