News
26th March 2026
A Lenten Lingering
Contributions & Reflections so far…
to linger ……….to go in a slow or leisurely manner; to saunter.
“Saunter, from the French phrase "Sainte Terre." Back in the Middle Ages people used to go on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and when people in the villages through which they passed asked where they were going, they would reply, 'A la sainte terre,' 'To the Holy Land. ' And so they became known as sainte- terre-ers or saunterers.”
It struck me this weekend that this lingering is not so much about place. Not so much about where but about how to linger. How to be in the midst of sudden change. And unexpected stresses. How to stay steady.
This weekend I felt a grace not to wobble. And in the limits of time, there were moments of lingering.
Fiona P
first signs
leaf buds loosening
towards warmth and light, trusting
god’s invitation
Anna H
Am lingering ‘in place’… (and) am starting to realise that all those previous walks and lingering are still healing me even though I can’t do them at the moment. All the lockdown practises of walking and sauntering in one small area mean that I can still go for a walk in my mind and I can find my way along the path intimately remembering what is there. And it’s just as soothing, just as lovely…
Also in this scary, suddenly unsafe world I have been thinking about and drawing the ‘fixed points’: the daily sunrise; the stars; set prayers; poems; the earth; music; strong trees; hills and the still, small voice of calm. I think we can navigate by these?!
S T
Today I am Iingering after an intense week of learning and receiving with others.
Listening to hundreds of voices lifted in worship praising God, inspired by kingdom justice, small churches doing great things and opportunities to join with councils and health care to bring healing and wholeness. Feeling privileged, in pain and joyful. Meeting people I haven’t seen for so long and new people I do not know at all.
No compulsion to talk to people or fear of being ignored.
Standing in confidence because I am a child of God.
All to Jesus, I Surrender All.
Gillian S
Tend to the space for God to inhabit.'
Liz D