The Fourth Sunday of Lent - Mothering Sunday
Dear friends of Christ Church,
This week we reach the halfway point in Lent, also celebrated as Mothering Sunday, at least in the UK and English churches. Other countries choose a different Sunday in the year, which always seems to confuse many international families.
The tradition in England was that on this Sunday, if you have moved away from home, you would return to your church in the village where you grew up, and so visit your mother and the rest of your family. Also, part of the tradition was to give a simnel cake made with marzipan as a present. In churches I have worked with in the past we would take such a cake to our mother church, the church that had founded us, perhaps hundreds of years before. It is a day to reconnect with your roots, and to give thanks for those who have helped you along the way.
This made me think again of the origins of Church Church, how it came to be established in Lausanne, and which churches people came from to set it up. We can only imagine their hope and courage as they started an English church in this place, not knowing how it would grow and develop over the following 200 years.
We have the opportunity to build on their enthusiasm and vision, as we think about the next phase in the life of Christ Church. As with them we know it requires commitment and energy, trusting that God will guide the church into future years. I think it is important to keep the distinctive and enhancing Christian witness of Christ Church alive and I am sure all of you will consider your part in this in the months and years ahead.
Giving thanks for mothers, and our mother church, may you rejoice in Jesus Christ, who has come to show us the way of truth and life.
With every blessing
Fr. John
Collect Prayer for the Fourth Sunday of Lent
Merciful Lord,
absolve your people from their offences,
that through your bountiful goodness
we may all be delivered from the chains of those sins
which by our frailty we have committed;
grant this, heavenly Father,
for Jesus Christ’s sake, our blessed Lord and Saviour,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Lent Reflections
The lent course, Dust and Glory, continues on Thursday as we to look at the theme of failure and frustration in the context of our lives and the world, and how these can bring us closer to God. You don’t need a copy of the book to take part, and all are welcome to join us on Bluejeans via the link below. There will be a reflection and discussion, all lasting less than an hour. Each session is complete, so there is no need to commit to them all, so join us for any of the sessions when you can.
Fr John
https://bluejeans.com/340779695
Thursday 23 March, 19.00 – 20.00
Thursday 30 March, 19.00 – 20.00
This week's service will be led by Fr John Tomlinson. Volunteers to help organise refreshments after the service are welcome.
You will also be able to join us online for this week's Sunday service with this link https://youtube.com/live/2FCTUPOrJTI and the order of service can be found here with a special insert for Mothering Sunday here. You can view a recording of last week's homily with this link: https://youtu.be/V89uwk7Mn8k
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Annual General Meeting
Palm Sunday, 2 April at 12:00
 Please mark your calendars, the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Christ Church Charitable Association and the Christ Church Association will be on 2 April at 12:00pm. We hope that those of you who are on the Electoral Roll will be present in Church to join us. If you are not on the electoral roll you're also welcome to attend in church only but voting will be limited to electoral roll members. The meeting will be following by an aperitif and discussion about fundraising.
Our AGM is taking place earlier than normal this year, as we have a number of issues on the agenda related to the interregnum and budget.
If you haven't yet signed up for the Electoral Roll this year, the application form for electoral roll enrollment can be found here. Applications should be returned to a churchwarden in church or by email to christchurchoffice@bluewin.ch.
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Concert at Christ Church
March 19, 5:00 PM
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Christ Church Spring Sale
In the heart of winter, with the frosty mornings and snow still lying on the ground, it is hard to imagine that spring is on the way; but the days are getting longer, and slowly the blackness of the winter nights is ebbing away.
In these still short days, we can comfort ourselves with the thought of warmer days to come, and on that note, I wanted to let you know the date for Christ Church’s Spring Sale, which is Saturday, 13th May. We also have a theme for the sale, but you will have to be patient for now, as this will be revealed only in the coming weeks!
There will be the traditional stalls selling cakes, jams, brocante, books and children’s toys, and also hot lunches and a café. Plus, we are always looking for new ideas, so if you have a wonderful idea for a stall at the Spring Sale, please let me know. We also need volunteers to run the stalls; so again do let me know if you would like to help. I look forward to hearing from you.
Joanna Erfani
Council Member
Joanna.erfani@gmail.com
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Ukrainian Day Centre
An ecumenical initiative of  three English-speaking churches in Lausanne (Christ Church, the Scots Kirk, and Our Lady of Faith), the Centre provides support for Ukrainian refugees who have recently arrived to Lausanne. The Centre is hosted by the Scots Kirk on Thursday and Sunday afternoons from 2 pm - 5 pm.
For more information on the Day Centre and how to volunteer or provide financial support please see this link.
Please see this link to read the February newsletter from the day center.
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