Our 2019 Lent Course entitled: Another Story Must Begin

'Another Story Must Begin' is an original Lent course based on the film, the novel and the stage adaptation of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables. Through discussion of some of the themes and principal characters of this epic narrative, the course explores the grace of God and our own fallen state and opportunity for redemption, and helps us to reassess what we can do with our lives and for those around us.

The course is based around five weekly group sessions:
o Fantine and Cosette
o The Bishop of Digne
o Jean Valjean
o Javert
o Redemption and Salvation

Each session includes watching scenes from the Oscar-winning movie starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway, and questions and reflections for group discussion.

Each session also includes introductory reading, notes for leaders, related Bible passages and suggested closing prayers.

Les Miserables is a tale that tells of the great challenges of life that speaks of God, infinite and personal, that encourages us to ponder on our lives and to wonder how to offer ourselves to his service in the way that Jean Valjean does.

This unique Lent course looks at the stories of five of the principal characters in Victor Hugos classic tale the Bishop of Digne, Jean Valjean, Cosette, Fantine and, of course, Javert and explores the classic themes of social justice and the apparent conflict between the justice and mercy of God.

Hugo's novel is essentially about issues of suffering, repentance, forgiveness, and grace; so the Christian content, including Bible passages, feels appropriate and unforced.

Jonathan Meyer devised it for his own parish, where scenes of the film were shot. 

Our sessions started at 10.30 am and coffee was served from 10.15 am. Lunch followed at about 12 midday. It consisted of soup and bread, possibly a glass of wine and some fruit and was followed by coffee.

Photographs from the first meeting

 Lent Group 2015