Benefice
Newsletter
17 March 2021
This Sunday is called Passion Sunday, or the 5th Sunday of Lent. It begins the two-week run-up to Easter Sunday. Traditionally, on this Sunday, we cover the crosses and statues in church in Lenten Array. The tradition comes from the Gospel reading in the Book of Common Prayer set for the 5th Sunday. Following an argument with the Jewish leaders we are told ‘they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.’ John 8.59
I expect many of you have been busy tidying up patio pots, window boxes and gardens. Do any of you grow Passion Flowers? I tried once but with only limited success, but they are striking flowers which illustrate the Passion of our Lord.
• Spiralled tendrils – the lash of Christ’s scourging
• Central flower column – pillar of the scourging
• 72 radial filaments – crown of thorns
• Top 3 stigma – 3 nails
• Lower 5 anthers – 5 wounds
• Style – sponge moistening Christ’s lips with vinegar
• Leaves – the head of the Centurion’s spear
• Red stains – Christ’s blood drops
• Round fruit – the world Christ came to save
• Fragrance – spices prepared by the women
You might like to find a colour version of this amazing flower and consider its symbolism as you prepare to walk with Jesus during Holy Week which begins on Palm Sunday.
Holy Week in a Bag
Your clergy team have put together a bag of resources for you to use during Holy Week which begins on Palm Sunday and runs through to Easter Day. For each day of the week there are some Bible verses to read, a simple activity to do and a prayer. A bag will be deliveredo your home by a member of All Hallows or All Saints next week. If by 27th March you have not received a bag and would like one, please contact me. We hope that the resources will help you to keep a truly Holy Week.
Join us on Zoom on Sunday 21 March at 10:00.
Follow this link, or use meeting ID 878 9841 4645 and passcode 671412.
Easter Sunday services in church
We are planning to be back in church for Easter Sunday, with a 9:15 Eucharist at All Saints, and an 11:15 Eucharist at All Hallows. There is no need to sign up for these services, just turn up on the day and the churchwardens will seat you. There will not be an 8.00 service. The wearing of masks and social distancing will continue. There will be no singing. For those who would rather not attend services in church just yet, there will be an online option. It is hoped that Sunday services in both our churches will continue but this will depend on circumstances. Updates will be posted on the Benefice website and Facebook.
Other Holy Week services on Zoom
All other Holy Week services will be via Zoom. Contact Agnes or Rev Christine for the Zoom links. You will be sent the links for all of the services so that you can select the services you wish to join.
If you already receive weekly invitations from Rev Christine you will automatically receive this list of links.
Monday of Holy Week, 29 March
Informal Morning Prayer at 8.30am via Zoom
Informal Evening Prayer at 5.30pm via Zoom
Tuesday of Holy Week, 30 March
Morning Prayer (Common Worship) at 8.30am via Zoom
Evening Prayer ( Common Worship) at 5.30pm via Zoom
Wednesday of Holy Week, 31 March
Morning Prayer at 8.30am via Zoom
Stations of the Cross via Zoom at 7.30pm via Zoom
Maundy Thursday, 1 April
Morning Prayer at 8.30am via Zoom
Tenebrae Service at 7.30pm via Zoom
Good Friday, 2 April
Sunday School workshops at 10.30am via Zoom
Meditations at the foot of the Cross 2.00pm via Zoom
Easter Sunday, 4 April
Eucharist 9.15am in church - All Saints
Eucharist 11.15am in church - All Hallows
No 8.00am Eucharist or Compline on Easter Sunday
Those who suffer in body, mind or spirit, among them Sue P, Roger P, Richard H, Tim C, Kay G, Oliver D, Cedric G, Pam B.
The housebound: Ruth S, Margaret O, Diana B.
The Church of England; the Porvoo Churches: Lund, Cashel, Ossory & Ferns and Ely.
If you would like to add a name to our prayer list, please first obtain the consent of the person you wish us to pray for. Then tell Rev Christine whom to pray for and the reason why.
Those whose anniversaries fall on this week: Len Gibson, Alice Catchpole, Eric Martin, Yvonne Harrison, John Lowry, John Morgan, Stanley Griffin, Norah Dickens, Betty Ferrier, Iris Marks, Brian Simcoe, Tom Weed, Margaret Carter, Florence Robert, Caroline Florence Addie, David Biggs, William George Phillips, Norah Evelyn Dickens, Kathleen Christian Hayers, Mary Manning, Kathleen Lovell.