Living Hope: A Lent Journey

Author Cathrine Fungai Ngangira, Belle Tindall, Victoria Mason
Publisher CHP £2.50*
Format pbk
ISBN 978178405000

Living Hope: A Lent Journey for Children

Author Anon
Publisher CHP £1.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9781781405031

These booklets represent the Church of England’s theme for Lent 2025. The main version, comprises forty reflections, based on a series of Bible passages, together with a simple prayer to use throughout each week and a challenge linked to the daily theme.

The three authors have produced interesting and varied material around the weekly topics of hope, trusting, togetherness, noticing, courage and transformation. They have, by and large, wisely avoided the clichés and potentially over-familiar Bible passages of past booklets and have clearly worked hard to give ideas which are fresh, relevant and yet challenging. It was good, for example, to see unfamiliar passages from Lamentations and Ecclesiastes and that the prophets are well-represented. The daily challenges are original and occasionally demanding.

There is a section called ‘Introducing Lent’ which suggests there may be a focus on Christians new to the faith, or those for whom formal Lenten liturgy is unfamiliar; but all Christians may benefit from following the booklet faithfully through the Lenten season. It is, however, designed for individuals rather than home groups.

In contrast to the vibrancy of the main booklet, I found the companion for children rather mundane and unexciting and I felt that something more engaging was needed.

Reviewed by ELIZABETH STEPHENSON

Lent