Lenten Lunches at Ashley
17/04/2022
At the end of a long, cold and wet winter and as covid restrictions were lifted, it was decided that the Churches Together in Ashley would re-introduce the Lenten Lunches which had taken place so successfully in the past, as an opportunity to get together and also to raise funds for the relief effort in Ukraine.
It was decided that the lunches should be simple and that the focus of the days would be on fellowship rather than gastronomy!
Accordingly, the first lunch hosted by the Anglican community, set the tone for future events. Delicious home-made soups, along with home-made bread and cheese followed by fresh fruit became the standard. Old acquaintances were renewed and a great spirit of fellowship was enjoyed by those attending from the various Christian communities around the village.
The subsequent lunches hosted by St John the Baptist C of E church, Ashley Methodist Church and Our Lady and St. John The Baptist RC churches, followed in a similar vein. Various home-made soups and breads and cheeses followed by fresh fruit and coffee. Cakes kindly donated by the local Coop were presented at the final lunch and enjoyed by many of the assembled group!
The five lunches and periods of fellowship held on each Wednesday throughout Lent, were a great testimony to the belief that we have far more that joins us than divides us!
Whilst the food was delicious, I think that the consensus of everyone attending, was that it was the time of fellowship which particularly distinguished our times together. Thank you to all those who contributed in any way and to the £738 which was raised during the lunches! Thank you also to Loggerheads Coop, Morrisons of Market Drayton and to Barringtons Accountants for their kind donations.
By Bernard Bester
