For Lent this year, our Community Chaplains Astrid, Thomas, Elisia & Dylan will help write our Weekly Worship reflections.

We want to pause and consider how we live our lives, with compassion, for the sake of others. They hope to challenge us to use our own resources, time & skills to serve the communities we live in.

Take a moment to read what Astrid has to share with us this week...

Lent is a time to reflect on the ways we’ve strayed from what’s best and right, often focusing on things other than putting God and others first. Many people choose to give something up during Lent, but have we thought about trying something new instead?

For example, my family and I have created a "Lent Calendar" before, where each day we donated a food item to a local food bank. It was a simple but meaningful way to stay focused on others during this season.

Lent is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on how we can live with more compassion for those around us. Compassion and empathy are the keys to helping one another, especially in a world where hurt and lack of peace is everywhere. This is the way forward.

I was reminded of this during a recent RE lesson, where we discussed religious attitudes on money. It made me reflect on how our focus on our own wealth can pull us away from God’s path. Instead, we’re called to use what we have to help others.

How can you help others this Lent? What do you have that you can use to help others?

Here are some ideas for you to think and talk about now:

1. Let’s choose to put others first more than we usually do.
2. Don’t ignore what is going on around you. Look out for where you can help.
3. Find out what charities work locally and how you can support them.
4. Try to practise daily random acts of kindness.