It is all change for Chard Mother’s union. A new leader was elected at the AGM in February, Lynda Bussley. Heather Elphick had decided to retire after 18 years of leading the branch but will continue to be a valued member.

Liz Jones will continue as treasurer and Wendy Harris and Pam Cornish have joined the committee. Unfortunately, Rita Bagg has decided not to continue on the committee but again will continue to be a valued member of the branch.

We had a discussion about changing the meeting day so that they could take place at St. Mary’s Centre. We have settled on the third Thursday of the month starting on 21^st May. This is to avoid a clash with the Lent group and other prebooked activities happening in the centre. The March meeting will be in the church on Tuesday 3^rd March and the April meeting will be in the centre on Thursday 9^th April. All are welcome to come and see. We start at 2.30pm.

We ended the meeting with the ‘Wave of prayer’ service with special prayers for the six Diocesan Link Branches in Africa and India.

Please make a note of the World Day of Prayer – prepared by the women of Nigeria – Friday 6^th March 2pm at Chard Baptist Church.

Lynda Bussley, Branch Leader.

Did you know, the word “March” comes from the Latin word “Martius”, which was named after Mars, the Roman god of war?

But I wonder, did you also know that Mars is the roman god of agriculture? Well (secretly) neither did I until I googled it!

However, when you think about it, this seems to make sense…It’s the time of year, through the changing seasons, when we get a heightened sense of the wonder of nature; and the need to tend and care for it.

After all, March is the first month of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.

In the Southern Hemisphere, the leaves start to change colour and the animals start to prepare for winter.

However, for us in the Northern Hemisphere, the days start to get longer, and the weather starts to warm up, the flowers start to bloom, and the animals emerge from their winter hibernation. It’s a time of new beginnings, a time when the world seems to be waking up after it’s long winter sleep, bursting into glorious life.

As such, March is a month of transition.

But, times of transition, can also be unsettling. An in-between time, that brings with it uncertainty. Like the uncertainty that would have descended upon the disciples, as they walked together with Jesus towards Jerusalem, and back in to the hands of those who wanted to get rid of their teacher, and friend.

And in March this year, during Holy Week, we’ll also walk along with Jesus in the final days of His life, together with the disciples, along the road and into Jerusalem.

But through our faith, we know that this will not be the end of the story. But rather like spring time – He will move through the winter time of death – and into New Life on Easter Day, to reveal a Glorious Summer, in all of its wondrous beauty.

But, we should not be in too much of a hurry to get to Easter morning, but rather dwell in the uncomfortable uncertainty of the journey towards the Cross; as very often these times of transition, of movement, can offer the greatest opportunities for new growth and understanding.

So as we wait in this in-between time, may I commend to you the Lent Course (From Denial to Trust), which will offer an opportunity to travel with the Jesus and the disciple towards the Cross, and, perhaps, discover more about what this might have felt like, and feels like in today’s world for us. Or perhaps purchasing a Lent Study guide to lead you prayerfully through the season. Or one or more of our services during Holy Week, that are both reflective, and moving in equal part.

But whatever way we choose to approach Lent, and most especially Holy Week this year, may we do so with the love and care of God, who has the power to transform us and our lives, and through us, those we meet, who we journey alongside, together with Jesus and the disciples, each and every day.

All my Spring Time blessings