A Lent Message to the Pupils, Families and Staff at Powick, Callow End & Madresfield CoE Primary Schools February 2025

What Is Lent?

For you, maybe Lent kicks off the hype and excitement surrounding Easter, or maybe Lent is a time for fasting and sacrifice. Or maybe you’re sitting there thinking, “What is Lent anyway, and why is it a big deal?” Wherever you fall on the Lenten spectrum, I hope I can shed some light on why Lent is still relevant today.

First, it’s important to understand the significance of Lent. The word Lent comes from the Latin root meaning “to lengthen.” It marks the time that days are lightening up in Spring from the darkness of winter. It’s the 40-day period prior to Easter, excluding Sundays, that begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes on Holy Saturday (the Saturday before Easter) and reflects the 40 days that Jesus was alone in the wilderness – being tempted but also reflecting on his upcoming ministry. On Ash Wednesday, many Christians embark in the tradition of receiving ashes on their foreheads as a reminder that we were made from dust, and to dust we shall return. This literally and physically marks the start of Lent. The ashes remind us that we are but fleeting flowers in a field, here today and gone tomorrow—but we have hope in the resurrection of Jesus.

Although Lent is not defined as such in Scripture, many Christians choose to participate through practices such as reflection, repentance and prayer as a way to prepare their hearts for Easter. It would be great if you could come to an Ash Wednesday service (Wednesday 5th March, 12noon at Madresfield Church this year) but I encourage you to consider some way to make this a season of self-reflection. For me, Lent is a time to open my heart a little wider so when we arrive at Good Friday and Easter, it is not just another day at church but an opportunity to receive the overflowing grace, hope and love of the risen Lord.

Here are a few ways you can engage in Lent to prepare your heart for Good Friday and Easter:

Give Up

The most common discipline that people engage in during Lent is fasting. Some may give up certain types of food (puddings, meat, etc.). Others may give up a habit or behaviour such as caffeine, social media or TV. In past years, I have given up chocolate (incredibly painful), fizzy drinks, crisps and Instagram.

Fasting is a powerful discipline because when we deny ourselves something we desire, we are saying there is something more important in our lives than that thing. During Lent, we are declaring that God is more important.

When we fast, we are also reminded of God. On certain days I can go through the day without thinking much about him. But whenever I have to fight the temptation to indulge in something I have chosen to give up, it reminds me of Him, His sacrifice, and His reality in our lives. The year I gave up chocolate, I was reminded every afternoon when I would normally raid the sweet tin at The Vicarage of this powerful truth.

Give Something

During Lent, you can also choose to give something. Jesus gave us everything on the cross, so this season can be an opportunity for us to give to others. What if during Lent we committed an intentional act of kindness every day? What if we asked God to help us see those around us that we could love, serve, and be generous toward? Imagine how powerfully that would reflect the message of the cross to those around us. What about giving as a Class or Year Group to a Charity - maybe do something for Comic Relief (Isn’t that great to have such a good fundraiser in the middle of Lent?) or ask about this year’s Church Lent Collection for Sight Savers and St Richard’s Hospice.

Give In

Some commit to a daily devotional activity during Lent. This often includes reading a short teaching on a Scripture passage or topic every day and then spending a few moments in prayer to help you focus your mind on Christ.

Even though Lent is not a “requirement” for Jesus followers, millions every year choose to participate. If you do, I know you will be amazed as to what occurs in your life as you choose to spend a portion of every day intentionally focused on Jesus.

An interesting fact - Ramadan coincides with Lent this year anf both times of devotion have very similar aims.

I hope that this little note helps you to understand the importance of Lent and to encourage you to take a step towards preparing your heart and mind on Jesus during the journey to Easter.

Rev Gary Crellin

Old Hills Malvern Churches

From the Vicar of Powick, Callow End, Guarlford and Madresfield with Newland

revgarycrellin@gmail.com 01905 830270

September 2024

To: Parents, Carers, Pupils & Staff of Powick Primary, Callow End Primary & Madresfield Primary Schools

Dear all
School is back. Perhaps you have felt the summer has dragged because of the weather -or has it just
flown by? Welcome to YOUR school – and welcome to YOUR church, too. My welcome is relevant
for our new reception classes, new year starters, parents, staff – or indeed our new Headteacher at
Madresfield -as well as those that are returning for another school year. Welcome back to our
volunteers and Governors too!

I am still here as the Vicar of these three primary schools which are all well performing, well led and
respected schools. I want to additionally welcome and introduce you to the parishes where your
schools are located and to the Church within the parishes. Of course, you might have driven past or
seen the buildings from afar. Have you visited them or worshipped in them? Fear not- you will visit
them often for activities and assemblies in particular. The churches vary in size and age - they are
still active in these villages but do need help with donations to help them pay their way in the church
world, and of course we need volunteers to keep us active and significant. If you are interested in
helping these churches, please do contact me.

For some of you, being part of a church school is not on your radar: for others, its why you are here.
A school is far more than a place of learning and a Church School is so different: from the Christian
values that we explore in different ways, the culture that you will be part of, as well as what you will
learn and experience as a child, parent or teacher will remain with you for life. Be part of it. Enjoy it.
Benefit from it. I know that you will.

Kay and Vicky, (you will meet them soon enough!) are Lay Ministers with a special interest in our
church and school links, and especially with our parishes’ children and families work. We also visit
the school with volunteers that read or perform Bible Stories, we call these visits
“Open the Book”, and they will soon feature in your school life and will be loved. Mark my words!
I post regularly on the main Facebook pages of the relevant village, so you can keep up to date with
what the Church is doing in these villages. For details of our Sunday worship, check out our website
www.oldhillsmalvern.co.uk - there are details there of our special services and opportunities to
explore baptism and confirmation, should you wish.

The Church is there for you whether you practice a faith regularly or not. I am your Vicar for the time
you and your child(ren) are at this school. For many of you, that could be at least 6 years. Although I
live in Colletts Green, I strive to visit each school every half term in some capacity. You will see me
around and I am sure you will recognise me in time: the dog collar is a bit of a give a way!
Every blessing to you all as we embark on this new school year together,

Rev Gary

Old Hills Caterpillars

Knitted Bible Exhibition 1^st to 8^th April

St Peter’s Church, Powick

‘Stories of the Bible brought to life through knitting!’

That is quite a sentence and a difficult concept to explain.  But when Kay and I visited a church near Evesham last summer what we saw was so unexpected and unique we knew we wanted to bring the exhibition to St Peter’s.   Our difficulty was to explain to people the idea and that we could fill our church building with knitted characters!

So we planned, publicised, made souvenirs, brought drinks, biscuits, and Hot X buns, produced refreshments rotas, booked groups, schools and prepared for the largest event that St Peter’s church had hosted for many years.

With over 600 items, bunting, Open The Book props, and flowers, together as a team plus friends we set up the exhibition and decorated the church.

Even though unfortunately the weather was against us, the church was full of colour, inviting and offered warmth to everyone who came and visited us.  Visitors came from near and far; from the end of the church drive to Malvern and St Johns’, Malvern Priory, Worcester Cathedral to Coventry and Manchester.  Over the next 8 days we had over 670 people come through the doors; as individuals, with schools, Scouting or Guiding groups, walking groups, friends or visitors just passing.   With the Lady Chapel set up as a Café we kept the kettles on and served Hot X buns and biscuits.

It was a wonderful week, watching peoples delighted faces as they explored the exhibits and seeing the children chatter excitedly as they explored the knitted animals and characters, but especially excited when they found the lost sheep or saw the lion through the bars of the den or counted the multiple breeds of animals going two by two into the Ark, or counting the apples on the tree in the garden of Eden or finding a sheep (accidentally) in Zacchaeus tree, a child asking the question ‘is Jesus buried here’ and lastly but beautifully exclaimed by a child when he saw the Open The Book ladies (who for the last two years have sent videos into schools instead of being in person in assemblies), in church to read a story to the school children say ‘they are real people’!

By far the most popular exhibit that the children liked was Noah’s Ark, but I think one of the most stunning exhibits was the Last Supper on a stripped altar and the Crucifixion.  Both very simple but poignant without words.

I have been in a very privileged position that over the 8 days I was in church at every session, I have welcomed nearly everyone and spent time chatting to many people.  It has been quite a profound experience seeing the church full of life and Gods spirit, whether it had 1 person or 60 chattering children.

I thank every person who has been involved in this event and I thank everyone who came and visited us and the knitted creations.  The exhibition is now moving onto a church in Whitehaven in Cumbria and will carry on touring Great Britain, but I am glad we welcomed it to Powick and all who came to visit.

A MESSAGE FROM REVEREND GARY

Dear parents and carers

As well as your children being part of a delightful school,  your child and the wider family of the school are part of your local churches too.  You may not go to church, but you are still part of a church community through your association with this school. I am your local vicar for these important school years and hopefully beyond.  I am really chuffed that so many of you come to the church assemblies and put-up with my gags, collections for charity,  support your child/children in the assemblies or services but more hopefully get something from the place that has been there for centuries. In church, we pray for our schools regularly, which I hope is a comfort.

The church, like any organisation, takes some organising.  Hundreds of hours of volunteering goes both into keeping our church going in our community, as well as hundreds of hours of being involved in wider community ventures by church members to keep our communities vibrant each month.  I do appreciate all that the volunteers do, but we are all getting old and all have increasing pressures on our "spare" time.  

In the Bible, Jesus uses this phrase -  "The harvest is plenty, but the labourers are few" (Luke 10.2).  It sums it up really,  but I hope this appeal for help doesn't fall on deaf ears (that's another Bible saying from the Book of Jeremiah). So much to do, give thanks for and develop.  But we cannot do this alone. 

Perhaps over the remaining weeks of term, and the coming summer holidays,  you could think - "how can I, we, help our church?"  At the moment,  I need a person to dip the oil tank at St Peters in Powick (why should we expect churchwardens in their 70's to do this)? Maybe, if you have AmDram in your blood, you can join our Open The Book teams (the children, your children - love the Bible stories being told in this way).  For those interested in church buildings and the churchyards,  I need folk to be the new wave of Churchwardens (especially at Powick and Guarlford from next April, if not before).  For book keepers, accountants , retired Directors of Finance,  why not come on board and be a parish treasurer?  Someone, please, help the vicar with the church admin and get our website and social media presence up and running! Alternatively,  can you make tea and cake, or are a good listener and be part of our fellowship and pastoral visiting teams?   Please come and help.  

Contact me for further information or advice.  (01905 830270 , DM via Facebook "gary crellin" or via Twitter).  Thank you for reading this.  Best wishes -  Rev Gary

A Message from The Reverend Gary Crellin

Welcome from YOUR Vicar

Hello,  I am The Reverend Gary Crellin -  I am the Vicar of two parishes that serve the communities of Powick, Callow End,  Guarlford and Madresfield with Newland, in this lovely part of Worcestershire – over the rivers and in front of the hills.  I am reasonably new in post, having started in June 2018,  but I am really looking forward to getting known and finding out about the people and places around my parishes.

First and foremost,  I am here for all people in these parishes, regardless if you go to a church or not; have a faith or struggling to believe.  I would be most pleased to meet you to discuss anything that my faith and my churches can help you with. It could be a question about christenings,  weddings or even handling a bereavement.  You might want to pull me upon the Church’s role in society.  Or you might want to find out  more about Christianity.  Of course, it would be good to see you in church,  but as a parent of three daughters of recent school age,  I know that getting to church on a Sunday morning may not be high on your list of priorities.  A shame, but that’s life.  But I can do something about it.  I will bring church to YOU. In a way…..

My involvement with the three Church of England Schools -  Powick, Madresfield and Callow End -  will bring me into school,  and you and your children into church. You, your child/children are part of a flourishing network of Church of England Schools delivering education and life experience to your children from a distinctive Christian (Anglican) perspective. Therefore, a vicar is going to be useful to have about.  I have agreed a number of assemblies and services that will be creative and fun experiences and help you to understand and be part of the Christian values that we are going to experience and develop together, over your life time at the school.  You see -  I am going to be YOUR vicar for the next six years – if you go to church, or not.  Enjoy!

I look forward to meeting you after assemblies,  on the school gate , or around and about.  Please say hello (I don’t bite).  And if I can help you, or your families in any way,  here are my contact details:

revgarycrellin@gmail.com     Office - 01905 830270    Twitter - @oldhillsparish2

Best wishes and blessings to each of you

Gary

Open the Book

Each Thursday, we welcome a local church group to 'Open the Book' and re-tell a Bible story. This always involves a child- friendly interpretation, keen pupil actors chosen from across all year groups, super props and sets and a fine selection of knitted beards!

Our Open the Book team have also been with us through Online Open The Book Worships every week during the pandemic.

Here are some photos to remind us of their live performances which we very much hope will take place again soon.