Dear Parishioner,
Lent is approaching and with it the next small group faith sharing season. This time the focus is on The Lord’s Prayer and we will be following a programme designed by the diocese There are four groups in the parish who have been meeting for many years and we would love to set up new groups. The season lasts just 5 weeks and the meetings are between 60-90 minutes and can be held in one of the small rooms in the parish centre or be hosted at home.
We already have a volunteer to leads new group which could meet at 12 noon on Fridays during Lent, but it needs 6-8 participants to make it work. If you are interested in leading or joining a group, please email Carrie Whelan via the parish office before Tuesday 6th February with the times and weekdays which suit you. Please try to be as flexible as you can.
Email – parishoffice@ealingabbey.org.uk
What are faith sharing groups?
Small Faith-sharing Groups started in the parish as a result of a diocesan initiative many years ago called At Your Word Lord. Twice a year, for five to six weeks, before Advent and during Lent, small groups of about eight parishioners would meet in people’s houses and were encouraged to talk about their faith, guided by a booklet provided by the diocese. The meetings have a simple format, starting with prayer and perhaps some sacred music, then there is a passage from the bible which is read aloud and people are invited to comment on the reading. This is followed by a commentary/interpretation from the writer of the booklet which often relates the reading to our current lives. Again members of the group are invited to express how they feel about this commentary but it is not compulsory, members can just listen to others. There are sometimes recommended action points and the meeting finishes with a prayer. Usually there is a theme running through the booklet for the length of the season, for example the life of Mary or the importance of the Sacraments. Sadly numbers have dwindled but there are still four groups in this parish who meet and we would like to invite more people to participate.
If you would like to join a group or are prepared to host or lead a group please send an email to the parish office for the attention of Carrie who is trying to coordinate the groups.
Do please consider becoming a member of a faith-sharing group – it is so interesting to listen to how the bible readings affect others and could really make a difference to how you view and live your own life as a Christian