Lent in Plain Sight

After hopefully joining us for pancakes at the Cowper Arms on Shrove Tuesday, we will plunge into the excitement of Lent - a time for discovery, prayer, self-examination and wonder. Along with Digswell Parish, our Lent book this year is ‘Lent in Plain Sight: A Devotion through Ten Objects’ by Jill J. Duffield.
I hope that many of you will order a copy. It offers a beautifully simple yet spiritually rich way to journey through the season of Lent. Rather than presenting Lent as an abstract theological exercise, Duffield grounds the experience in ordinary, tangible objects—dust, bread, coins, oil, and shadows amongst them —inviting readers to encounter God through what is already present in everyday life.Julie Handscombe has already started preparing for the Monday sessions at DVC (2pm) and there is an online group on Tuesdays (7.30pm) and a session at Coffee Pot at St John's on Fridays (10.30am). So no excuse for missing out!
Each week combines Scripture and reflection in a way that is both accessible and profound. Duffield’s writing is gentle and pastoral, encouraging readers not to strive for a “perfect” Lent but instead to notice where God might be at work in the ordinary, the overlooked, and even the uncomfortable.
Her reflections connect honestly with well-known Christian themes making the book especially resonant for those who may find traditional devotional material either too dense or too distant from daily life.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its flexibility. The devotions are short enough for personal daily reading, yet rich enough to spark meaningful discussion in small groups. For parishes seeking a shared Lenten resource, this book offers a framework that can easily be used in a variety of ways.

So do make your preparations. Enjoy your pancakes. And then join us on a Lenten discovery in this "Year of Reading" to discover more about the most important books that we will ever encounter: the truth of God as contained in holy Scripture.

The Revd Canon Dr Rob Marshall, Rector, Digswell.