Lent starts in March this year, and it's a great opportunity to have a few weeks where you make a bit more space to turn to God and dig a bit deeper with him. 

Here are a few ideas:

• 'Wild Bright Hope' Lent Book - for reading individually or a part of a Pop-up Book Group. This book is the Big Church Read Book for 2025 and is described as  a 'hugely heartening book on hope which will galvanise readers into looking at the world and the challenges we face in a new way.' (find out more here) In recent years, we've found that reading a book over Lent and building friendships through the pop-up books groups has been really valuable. You can order a book at a discounted rate (and sign up for a pop-up Book Group if you want) by clicking here (you get a discounted rate for the book), and signing up at church on Sunday. 

• 'Living Hope' Daily Lent Reflections - daily reflections are available via email (click here to sign up) and also in booklet form. If you're not used to daily time with God, this could be a great habit to start over Lent. You can pick up a free booklet from church from Sunday 21st March. 

• 'Living Hope' journey for kids and families: we've got a mixture of things going on with this - there's a special 'Living Hope' booklet for every child with weekly activities and reflections to do at home with the family, special Mustards Seeds sessions and a 'Living Hope' Messy Church on Sunday 8th March. We'll give you a booklet on Sundays from 21st February, and watch this space for Messy church info.

• Abide Lent Retreat Morning: Our onsite, local retreat mornings have been an immense blessing to all those who have taken part. They offer the space you need to tune into God in the ways that help you. And we're running one in the middle of Lent on March 22nd. Sign up hereif you'd like to come along.

• Commit to praying the Lord's Prayer every day through Lent, maybe whilst reading the news, or as you pray for the ministry of St Denys. (thanks to Claire M for this suggestion, as an antidote to all the messages that we bombarded with in the news and other places)

• Or if you're new or intrigued by the Christian faith, or are wrangling with questions around purpose and identity, then you could come along to our new 'Start' course which is running in Lent (Monday evenings 3rd March). We're offering this instead of Alpha, as we think it scratches where we at St Denys are itching. Find out more here.