First a word of thanks and appreciation.

2002 was a very busy year indeed for all three of the Churches in Coltishall and Horstead. New initiatives in both Worship and fundraising have had the Churches absolutely humming, and we are very grateful indeed to an awful lot of people for their very hard work and devotion. Without the quiet work of so many, none of the things that we do would be possible – so Thank You!

Continuing on a note of thanks and appreciation, I am delighted to be able to report that both parish’s financial situation has improved beyond recognition over the year. Horstead was able to pay its ‘parish share’, or ‘quota’, in full in 2002 and Coltishall, although still a little short, was able to pay the highest amount ever. The actual figures were Horstead £7,557 and Coltishall £10,000 (out of £12,650). The wider Church is very appreciative indeed of these payments towards the cost of our local Ministry, which has for many years had to be heavily under written by other parishes in the Diocese. Very warms thanks indeed go to all of you who have, in whatever way, made this possible.

We look forward now to Lent. This is the time in the Church’s calendar when we are urged to follow Jesus’ example and examine our consciences, to assess and re-assess our lives. Is what we are doing really what God has in mind for us? Are our natural talents and abilities being properly used - and to the full?

The story of Jesus’ Temptation in the Wilderness is the story of a man who, fully aware of having been given the most extraordinary talents and abilities, had to go off and struggle with both himself

and the expectations of the world. How were these extraordinary abilities of his to be used? World dominion and military power were well within his grasp. Personal wealth and physical luxury his for the taking. The fruits of the earth were his, if he so desired. He also knew, very well, the expectations that his people had of the Messiah that he knew himself to be.

In the forty days that we now call Lent Jesus struggled with all of this, but came to know very clearly that what God wanted of him was something quite different – and that this was what really mattered. He chose a life of poverty, hardship and ultimately the sacrifice of his life for others. In doing so he also transformed the world and that is why we remember him still and Worship him as God-with-us.

The choices for us are probably less challenging than they were for Jesus, but it is still right to stop, to pray and to open ourselves up to the Will of God.

This year in our parishes a full observance of Lent, Holy Week and Easter will be followed and we warmly invite you to take part in that observance with us. That observance will start with a service of Holy Communion with the Imposition of Ashes on Ash Wednesday, 5th March, at 10.00am in Coltishall Church. Do join us then!

Chris