Lent Reflection 2025
Our Lent Study this year will explore themes offered in Paula Gooder’s Book, Women of Holy Week Each session will include stories as well as a chance for reflection.
Women of Holy Week is a series of nine stories about nine different, but interlinked, women written by Paula Gooder (Canon Theologian of St Paul’s Cathedral London), originally prepared as Holy Week, Easter and Ascension Day reflections for Southwark Cathedral in 2021. These stories imagine what it might have been like to accompany Jesus in this final week of his life from the perspective of nine women. We will explore some of these stories in four reflective sessions using both biblical and imaginative techniques. Each session will last an hour, with time for further discussion after, if needed, for a maximum of 30 mins.
Sessions 1–3 will be offered twice each Thursday at 11am after the 10am Eucharist and at 7pm.. You will get the most from the stories by attending all 4 sessions, but they are stand alone, so you can come to those you are able.
Session 1 — Thursday 13th March — Introduction and Miriam — 11am or 7pm.
Session 2 — Thursday 20th March — Sarah and Anna — 11am or 7pm.
Session 3 — Thursday 27th March — Susannna and Joanna — 11am or 7pm.
Session 4 — Quiet Morning Saturday 5th April 9am–1.30pm (with invitation to go for lunch together afterwards) — Exploring Solome, Mary Magdalene, Mary wife of Clopas and Mary, Mother of Jesus — with space of prayer, silence and creative response.
Please sign up at the back of church or email Revd Christine.
Download a leaflet suitable for printing.
The book is not essential, but would aid the learning and reflection experience.
Women of Holy Week: An Easter Journey in Nine Stories, by Paula Gooder. Illustrated by Ally Barrett. (London: Church House Publishing, 2021) 96 pages. ISBN-10: 1781402892, ISBN-13: 978-1781402894.
Available:
— by post from the UK publishers for GBP 19.99 postage incl. (up to 15 working days);
— from Amazon Australia as a Kindle file for $AUD 27.47 and in paperback for AUD $30.07 plus postage; and
— from Booktopia Australia in ePub format for AUD $25.99. (Only if you have a Booktopia account and their e-book reader app.)