Julie's Jottings for April

Over the next days and weeks, the Church’s focus moves from darkness to light.  Holy Week begins in April, with reflective compline services and commemorations of Jesus’s journey toward crucifixion, including his last supper on Maundy Thursday and a reflection of his time in the garden at Gethsemane as he struggled to make good choices in the face of intolerable suffering.

On Good Friday, children will create a garden with three crosses. In the afternoon between 2-3pm when Jesus would have been facing his last hour, in the church we will walk the stations of the cross.  Then at 7.30pm there will be an evening Tenebrae service led by the Byrd Club choir. Tenebrae means ‘darkness’ or ‘shadows’ in Latin and, during the service, the darkness deepens as candles are gradually extinguished. This service is a meditation on Christ’s suffering, using readings from the Gospel of Matthew to follow the story of his passion. Through music and reflection, we highlight the drama of this significant day.

Holy Saturday includes a 5pm vigil, where the new Easter Paschal candle is lit, symbolising Christ’s resurrection and renewed life. The members of the congregation renew their baptismal commitments.
At 8pm on Holy Saturday, Neil, Georgie, Seb, Torin, Olivia, and Alistair will be confirmed at Ely Cathedral after many weeks of preparation. Confirmation is seen as a fresh start and new identity, emphasising gratitude for God’s love and Christ’s invitation to act for good in our daily lives.

On Easter Day we will capture the joy of Easter.  Those newly confirmed will join the rest of the congregation and celebrate new beginning, new life and renewed hope.          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Rev Julie Norris