Come as you are that’s how I want you.
Come as you are, feel quite at home.
Close to my heart, loved and forgiven; come as you are, why stand alone?
© Deidrie Browne, Melbourne Australia
Deidrie Browne’s hymn starts to sing itself into my soul and mind about this time each year as we begin to make our preparations for Lent. It reminds me of God’s desire for me and of God’s wish to be in deeper relationship with me.
James Alison captures this theme well in his book, On being Liked. In it Alison invites us to dare to enter the space in which we accept that God not only loves us, but actually likes us as well. Acceptance of the invitation is the first step on a journey which sees us move away from the wrathful images of God that fuel so much religion, both Christian and otherwise. The journey leads us into a place of deep self-acceptance. And opens us the possibility of transformation which accepting and loving relationships can bring.
Each year we seek to use the season of Lent to provide activities which will enable us to respond to the one who loves us, likes us and desires the best for us; that we might find ourselves crafted by love for love.
On this site we hope you will find some resources that will encourage you to join us on the journey. Our lenten brochure outlines the smorgasbord of activities being made available over the weeks leading to Easter. It is hoped that these might allow us to appreciate something of God’s desire for us. I encourage you to make the most of this opportunity.
Peace,
Peter Catt+
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