Dust and Glory: Daily Bible readings from Ash Wednesday to Easter Day

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Dust and Glory: A Lent journey of faith, failure and forgivenessis the Church of England’s Lent theme for 2023. This year’s resources are informed and inspired by the Archbishop of Canterbury’s 2023 Lent Book, Failure: What Jesus said about sin, mistakes and messing stuff upby Bishop Emma Ineson, who has also co-written the daily reflections booklet for adults Although not designed specifically for Lent, the diocesan course, "From Liturgy to Life" has been used by some parishes as a Lent course. which can be delivered online as well as in person. It is a four week course, and each week has a PowerPoint and leaders' notes.This courseis all about connecting what we do when we gather together as a church for the Eucharist, and what we do when we’re at work, among friends and family, and engaged in our communities throughout the week. Each session starts with a shortvideo to stimulate discussion, followed by a short reflection time on the video. Some scripture passages lead into a guided reflection, followed by a wider discussion. The final section prompts thoughts on practical actions before turning to prayer to end each session. This four-week course by Ruth Valerio suitable for Lent, although not written specifically for it. This Bible study is written for small group study or personal use. Each of the four sessions is a combination of the biblical and the practical and finishes with a practical response. In each session I take one of the four main issues our world faces (climate change, deforestation, species loss and water) and four main areas in which we can make a difference: food, travel, energy and waste. Ruth Valerio was the author of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s 2020 Lent Book on similar themes. There will be free online support for groups studying the book – including in-depth video interviews with the Archbishop of Canterbury and others exploring the themes of each of the chapters. The Room Where It Happens

Discovering our unique identity cannot be separated from exploring who we are as people created to live in relationship with God, neighbour and creation in many different contexts, past and present, and it is hoped that the group interaction of the course will engage both the head and heart amid questions, challenges and encouragement. It is not a course seeking right answers but rather an invitation to take risks as we respond to Jesus Christ’s offer of life in all its fullness wherever we find ourselves and in whatever circumstances. Dust and Glory: A Lent Journey of faith, failure and forgivenessoffers a daily Bible reading, a short reflection and a practical challenge, as well as a prayer linked to the week’s theme. Co-written by Bishop Emma Ineson and Abbie Martin, the booklet is designed to be used either in parallel with the Lent Book or independently. These discussion-based devotionals include differentiated questions for 3-4s, 5-7’s, 7-12’s, teens, and adults. At just ten minutes each, they are an achievable joy, not an unrealistic burden.

Who is our neighbour?’ This is a key question that is at the heart of the Parables in Saint Luke’s Gospel. The parable of the Good Samaritan challenges us not to ask but to answer the question, ‘Who is our neighbour?’ My neighbour is not just the focus of my compassion and concern; my neighbour also teaches me what it means to serve. To be a good neighbour, I need to both give and receive, as Christ both gives and receives. Based on threeyears of research and conversations, led by a team including Church Action on Poverty, and academics from the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations at Coventry University, the Lincoln Theological Institute at Manchester University, and the University of Winchester. Accompanying the book, Bishops Mark, Julie, and Sam will be recording a series of podcasts on the material, and there is a suite of recorded reflections on biblical passages. An update to the award-winning Church of England campaigns app for iOS and Android – including daily audio – will be available in mid-February. Anyone who has the Church of England’s #FollowTheStar app installed will automatically get the Lent update. Dust and Gloryencourages us to take a fresh look at the frustrations and failings that every day brings and, rather than pretending we can always avoid them, seek to learn from them and grow closer to God through them.

As in recent years, the weekly themes of the Archbishop’s Lent Book are also explored in daily reflections from the Church of England. Christ’s Costly Gift of Reconciliation’– Through Scripture reflection, questions for reflection and discussion, suggestions for action and prayer, we seek to continue the journey initiated at the World Council of Churches 11th Assemblyin Karlsruhe, Germany. We look ahead to another major gathering of the global Church that will take place in Europe this year, the General Assembly of the Conference of European Churches, and we consider on the way some of the challenges facing the Church in the work of reconciliation, inspired by work CTBI is currently leading or supporting. Sign up for the study. Christian Enquiry Agency (christianity.org.uk) You can follow either ‘path’, or mix and match them, but each session has five‘stations’: a conversation starter; something to talk about together; something to reflect on;something to do; and something to deepen our Christian lives as disciples as we seek to follow Jesus Christ more faithfully. The final station concludes with prayer.Inthis year’s BRF Lent book, Sally Welch explores two questions: What is the Easter story really about, and how do we share it? Previous CCTBI courses are also available: https://ctbi.org.uk/category/spirituality-and-reflection/lent-courses/ As well as being offered as a Lent Course, the book could also be used as study material in any context, as a group or alone. St Michael’s, Stoke Gifford is a lively, growing Anglican church on the northern edge of Bristol. We are a welcoming crowd of everyday people, living to make a difference by being a Christian heart at the centre of our communities. Everyone is welcome at St Michael’s. Bishop Mark’s recently published book has been written and released to be used as a Lent Course in the Diocese of Chester.