Dear Friends,

Well here we are in 2012, the year of the Olympic Games, a year when we will be entertained and inspired by top athletes from around the world – perhaps you have tickets to go to watch some of the events. As we know, from listening to the top athletes and sports people, success in their particular event does not just happen, it takes a lot of hard work, sacrifice and dedication to achieve the fitness levels that these people attain. Nothing comes easy, hard work and training are the key to success. I’m glad I’ll be watching from my armchair!!

St Paul, in 1 Corinthians 9, likened the Christian life to a race, he writes, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”

Perhaps your spiritual life is a bit lethargic and flabby at the moment; perhaps it needs a bit of exercise! Well look no further, because over the next month or so we’ve got plenty of things that can help you get it back into shape! The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on 22 February and it is a great time to refocus your spiritual life, to reenergise your relationship with God, to get into some serious training – phew I’m getting tired already – ahead of the great celebration of Easter on 8 April 2012.

We will be offering Lent Groups for you to attend, an audio version of the New Testament (CD & MP3) split into 40 segments for you to listen to each day (30 mins a day), plus books and resources to help you to use Lent as a time of getting spiritually fit in a way that fits into your lifestyle. Are you up for the challenge? Good! Then watch out during February for what will be happening and available. Now where did I put my running shoes…

With every blessing…

Mike