Beginning Lent with love
By Rev. Dr Katherine Rainger, Senior Chaplain
“Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8a
Sharing Stories
Each year we welcome new students, staff and families to Radford. It’s a joy to meet you and to hear some of your stories. I’m beginning my reflection this week by sharing some of mine.
I’ve been the Senior Chaplain here at Radford since the end of 2019. Prior to coming to Radford College I was a primary teacher at schools in the ACT and NT and on the ministry team at Holy Covenant Anglican Church in Jamison. I studied theology at St Mark’s National Theological Centre including a doctorate that looked at the films of David Gulpilil and Rolf de Heer through a theological lens.
My love of film has continued, especially Australian films. The Sunset Cinema in the Botanic Gardens is one of my favourite places to be as it combines the outdoors with great films, great food and great company – a few of my favourite things!
Along with Rev. Andy Fleming, our role as chaplains is to organise chapel services for staff, students and the Radford community. We also teach Godly Play and Religious and Values Education (RaVE). We run a lunchtime group called RAS (Radford Awareness and Service) which includes the annual Dirrum Dirrum Festival.
We are available for a chat, if you would like us to pray for any need, and for pastoral services such as weddings, baptisms or funerals. We are currently planning a confirmation and admission to Holy Communion service in Term 2. Please let us know if you would like to take part.
St Valentine and Ash Wednesday
The legends surrounding St Valentine, the third century Roman martyr, make for fascinating reading. My favourite is when St Valentine defied the Roman Emperor Claudius’s ban on marriage of eligible men by marrying couples in secret, thereby releasing them from conscription and giving love the last word.
As we begin the season of Lent may we, like St Valentine, make faith, hope and love our compass.
On Wednesday 14 February at 4:00pm an Ash Wednesday service
will be held in the chapel.
Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent, the 40 days before Easter. Lent is a time of living simply, prayer, giving and learning to prepare for the remembrance of Jesus’ death and resurrection at Easter.
On Ash Wednesday we receive a sign of ashes on our forehead, with either the words, “repent and believe the Gospel” or “remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” These words remind us that we are part of a bigger story, one that involves God and our response to God.
To repent is to turn around and go in another direction. The invitation is to move towards the one who is Good News, Jesus the Christ.
Being marked with ash is a visible sign that we are connected to the earth as fellow creatures, made and loved by God. Ash has regenerative properties, another symbol of our calling to live lives that are open to renewal and growth for the sake of those around us. We are humans living a finite life. The invitation of Lent is to live fully, with God at the centre.
An Ash Wednesday service will also take place at All Saints Ainslie, Wednesday 14 February at 6:00pm.
As we continue to work and pray for peace and justice in Israel and Palestine and many other parts of the world, the Anglicans in Development: Lent and Good Friday Appeal is a chance to offer tangible support for programs run by Anglican church partners in Gaza, Sri Lanka, Kenya and Jordan.