Dear friends in Christ,

Lent has begun. As we enter these forty days of penitence and preparation, I pray that this holy season may draw each of us more deeply into the disciplines of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving — or, as we might also say, charity. These practices are not simply traditions of the Church; they are invitations to renewed life in Christ.

Here at St Alban’s Church, charity is not an abstract idea — it is at the very heart of our mission and ministry. Throughout the week, our church building is alive with service and welcome:

+Toddler Tuesday, supporting families and young children
+Our Foodbank, meeting urgent local need
+The Community Hub, offering friendship and practical help
+FoodCycle, providing warm meals and companionship

All of these ministries are growing — thanks be to God. And so too is our Sunday congregation. It is a joy to see new faces and a deepening sense of community week by week.

However, alongside this growth come increasing costs. Our January gas bill for the church was £2,023.53, and for the hall £1,310.53. Utility bills continue to rise. Yet while costs are increasing, giving has not grown in monetary terms — nor have we seen an increase in the number of people able to give their time.

In our Lent course this year, we will be reflecting more deeply on generosity — not as pressure, but as discipleship. We are immensely grateful for the generous giving we already receive from the congregation. Your faithfulness sustains our worship, our witness, and our outreach.

But Lent invites each of us to ask prayerfully:

Is it time to increase your giving?
Do you give regularly to your church?
Might even a small increase make a difference?

As we journey through these forty days, may our fasting create space for God, may our prayer deepen our trust, and may our almsgiving reflect the abundant grace we ourselves have received.

With every blessing for a holy Lent,

Fr Sean

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