The eucharist service on the first Sunday in Lent was celebrated by the Rector, the Rev Lesley Walker.

Her sermon, based on the reading from Genesis about the serpent tempting Eve, discussed temptation and how to avoid it. The emphasis was on total focus, as had Eve remained true to relations with God the serpent could not have distracted her. Temptation is part of life, and it is easy to be distracted, but Lent is a time of penitence and we should remain true and totally focused in our task as children of God. Lessons were read by Mary Wood and the Rev Heather Aston, who also led the intercessions.

The service on Sunday at 11.15am will be morning prayer taken by the Rev Heather Aston.

In the evening, a second service took place when the whole Kerrier Deanery was invited to take part in a special service of penitence for the first Sunday in Lent.

The Rural Dean, Rector of the Meneage, the Rev Lesley Walker, took the service and in her sermon suggested that to an outsider the Christian attitude to Lent could appear depressing. Originally there was no precise time for Lent and the three elements were fasting between feast days, preparation for baptism, which took place at Easter, and penitence, which was considerably harsher then and included smearing with ashes and wearing hair shirts. In the tenth century the acts of penitence became less public and there started the ‘ashing’ on Ash Wednesday, entering a period of reflection, self-examination and fasting (or giving up things) that is more recognisable today. Lent is challenging, can be difficult and should be disciplined but we should take on things rather than give them up and remember that God loves the sinner and allows us to come to Him in penitence.

Lessons were read by Lindsay Hockley and Wendy Bailey and the organ was played by Chris Bradbury from Wendron.