Lent (Feb 14 to Mar 31, 2024) offers an opportunity for individuals and worshipping communities to discover new depths to prayer and spiritual growth, as we live LIFE Together. This page will be updated with the national 2024 theme and resource packs as soon as they become available.
In the meantime, worshipping communities can add Lent and Easter events to AChurchNearYou.com or head to the Resource Hub to customise Lent social media graphics and videos, download free stock photography, music and more.
Looking back at 2023: #DustandGlory
The Church of England’s Lent theme for 2023 was Dust and Glory. The 2023 Lent Book, Failure: What Jesus said about sin, mistakes and messing stuff up (SPCK) by Bishop Emma Ineson
Dust and Glory: Read more →
Homegroup materials based on the topic of Failure (SPCK 2023) →
Shapes for Living: online resources
A free 5-week Lent course to help you find balance in your life. ‘Life in all its fullness’ is the gift God wants for all of us, but if we are to live that calling well, we will need to find a sustainable, nurturing shape for our own lives, so easily over-busy with stressful and overwhelming demands.
Visit the Shapes for Living page
Experience Lent resource from Jumping Fish
Lent is an important time in the Christian calendar and yet it is often a challenge to explain the significance of Lent to children and to our wider worshipping communities. The interactive ideas offered in this resource, offer a chance to hear about and reflect on the journey of Lent using interactive stations.
Read more →
The Clewer initiative’s Lent Journeys
Journeys consists of five mini films and two accompanying resources – one for Lent and one that is suitable for anyone, at any time of year.
The films include interviews with church members, experts and community leaders who have done significant anti-slavery work. They highlight the journeys they have been on to deliver their work. We hope these case studies will inspire and equip others to take similar steps forward.
Visit Clewer’s Journeys here
Environmental resources for small groups
Personal Shapes for Living
Personal Shapes for Living, using key subjects from the Lent course, offers individual Christians, however young or old, a chance to explore the shape of their life by chatting to another person. Contact Ruth Cameron to get started: ku.gr1695640622o.coi1695640622dsolg1695640622@nore1695640622macr1695640622
Fruitfulness on the Front Line
This eight-session course helps us to see how God might have been working in and through us on our frontlines and imagine what more God might want to do there. Brimming with real-life stories, biblical insight, and practical steps, these resources will spark your imagination and enrich your sense of wonder at the greatness and grace of the God who invites us to join his glorious work. Resources are available on the LICC website.
Loved and Liked: six-session course
Loved and Liked – the six-session course offers then chance to explore how we are all uniquely made and that God actually loves and likes us. It looks at questions of identity, calling and service, and includes amazing true stories of local people.
Using easily downloadable videos and materials the course is freely available via: www.lovedandliked.life
Bishop Rachel’s book, Encounters: Jesus, connection and story: past, present and future
A good read for Lent ~ “Bishop Rachel’s book reminds us that the tangle and connectedness of human lives cannot be broken, and God’s relationship with us knows no limits or barriers … even in these toughest of times.”
~ Archbishop Justin WelbyFurther information →
Saying Yes to life, by Dr Ruth Valerio
This book was originally published as the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent book of 2020, focused on the environment and the impact that these issues are having on millions around the world. Voices from around the world are heard throughout.
Click here to buy the book and find supporting materials.
Thy Kingdom Come
Thy Kingdom Come is an annual call to prayer for people all around the world.
Thy Kingdom Come →
The Pilgrim Way
Bishop Rachel and Bishop Robert enter into a short conversation sparked by each of the sections outlined in The Church of England booklet The Pilgrim Way: The Apostles’ Creed; the Lord’s Prayer; the Commandments; and the Beatitudes.
The Pilgrim Way series and booklet →
Pilgrim Journeys
A series of booklets which can be followed during Lent. Written by Bishop Steven Croft, each booklet offers 40 short daily Bible reflections, prayers, and suggestions for how you might respond to Jesus’ teachings in your own life.
Visit the Pilgrim Journeys webpage →
Lent prayer card
The Worship, Prayer and Spirituality Group have produced a simple prayer card that can be used for reflection during Lent.
For more prayer resources, visit the Prayer page →
Download the Lent prayer card here
Poems and Reflections for Lent and Easter by Fr Richard Nesbitt and 15 voices from the Holy Land
The book uses poems, reflections and real-life stories to draw you deeper into the world of the Bible and help you to gain a new understanding of the familiar words. Funds raised from this prayer resource will be used in the charitable activities of Friends of the Holy Land and so help embattled Christian communities in the Holy Land.
Popular ‘Lent’ news articles:
Thy Kingdom Come 2022
Thy Kingdom Come: video stories
Praying with a Bishop this Lent
Lent With Children
Growing in faith this Lent: Bishops’ teaching sessions
A letter to the Diocese from Bishop Rachel and Bishop Robert (17.3.20)
Lent Prayer card
A message from Bishop Rachel and Bishop Robert regarding COVID-19
Maundy Thursday 2018: Clergy and lay ministers come together to renew vows
Bishop Rachel says Synod debate was excellent
Bishop Rachel’s Easter Day sermon 2017
Meeting at the Cross with Bishop Rachel, postponed
Restored bells allow silent bell ringing practice
Bishop Rachel Maundy Thursday sermon, 2017
Archbishops call for Church of England to become radically different
Winchcombe carol concert raises funds for Children’s Society
Good Friday act of witness in the city centre
Bishop Rachel’s Easter Day sermon, 2019
Struggle and hope – Bishop Rachel’s Holy Week, 2019
Good Friday: join us for a reading of The Passion
Kate Bottley is joining churches to tackle food poverty with Pancake Parties
A letter to the clergy from Bishop Rachel and Bishop Robert
#GiveUpSlavery this Lent
Nurturing confident disciples – Lent 2020