Dearest friends,
It has been a terrific week in both churches as we have had an early taste of Easter Sunday with the celebration of school Easter services.
At St. Luke’s we welcomed Haytor View Primary School – who sang us songs, read scripture, and explained why Easter was so important.
At St. John’s we travelled the short distance to St. Catherine’s school in Heathfield, where once again the children sang, gave readings (and even some poetry), and explained why they were excited about Easter.
The joy and hope in both of those services echoed the huge energy and love we saw at our first joint Messy Easter at St. Catherine’s last Sunday. The 11 children (and 18 adults) who came were welcomed by a team of people who demonstrated Christian love in action as crafts were explored, food was devoured, songs were sung (10,000 Reasons if you’re interested!) and tables and chairs were erected and then put away again.
The injection of the sheer beauty and enthusiasm of the children in our various schools and parishes really does give me a great deal of hope for our future.
Without exception the reaction of parents and family has been one of welcome; they are keen to see us doing more of these kind of events and I was very happy to share with them that we’d have another Messy Church over the Summer Term.
The fact there is such a positive welcome when we go into schools (or they come to us) should enthuse us all and encourage us in our mission over 2025 to welcome more families into our congregation.
A huge thank you must go to all of you who have volunteered to carry out the various roles and responsibilities of making these events happen. They are new events and there was much uncertainty as we figured out what we needed to do where – but both churches have pulled together and walked out in faith – what an inspiring example!
This Sunday we celebrate Mothering Sunday – an opportunity to return to your ‘mother church’ and to your church family. If you’ve not been to church for a little while, this is a perfect time to reconnect and be welcomed home.
Fr. Matthew
Notices
Ladies Group
Wednesday 2nd April
2pm – 3:30pm, St. Luke’s
Our first monthly meeting to be held on the first Wednesday of each month. We will discuss future actives and chat about anything that is on your mind. All suggestions of activities and topics of conversation welcome.
Summer Term Planning
As in previous terms we’ll meet together as two churches and plan the term ahead. The Summer Term will be based out of St. Luke’s and our planning meeting will happen there on the 30th April at 6:30pm. We’ll do a short review of the Easter term and then plan for the term ahead.
Summer Lectures
Over the summer term I don’t plan to run what you may call a traditional ‘course’. Instead I’m going to offer a series of Sunday afternoon lectures, perhaps once a fortnight. These lectures will range from ‘What is the Christian perspective on Assisted Dying’, to ‘Why was Devon so central to the Anglo-Catholic movement in England’. If you have a topic you’d like me to talk on, or invite someone to talk on, please do be in touch.
Sunday 30th March
4th Sunday of Lent, Laetare Sunday
9:15am – Sung Mass, St. John’s
11am – Sung Mass, St. Luke’s
Divine Office Psalter Week 4, C(I), Lent 4 3
March
- 30th – Mothering Sunday
April
- 6th – Poppins Nursery Easter Bonnet Parade 11am [SL]
- 10th – Oswestry Chrism Festival (Exeter Cathedral, 11am)
13th April – Palm Sunday
- 9am – Sung Mass & Procession [SJ]
- 11am – Sung Mass & Procession [SL]
17th April – Maundy Thursday
- 7pm – Joint Mass with Washing of Feet & Watch, [SJ]
- (Watch to continue at SL from 8:30pm)
18th April – Good Friday
- 3pm – Mass of The Lord’s Passion [SJ & SL]
19th April – Holy Saturday
- 8pm- Vigil Mass of Easter [SJ]
20th April – Easter Sunday
- 6am – Dawn Mass [SL]
- 9:15am – Mass of Easter Sunday [SJ]
- 11am – Mass of Easter Sunday [SL]
30th April – Summer Term Planning Meeting, 6:30pm [SL]
St. John’s Table Top Sale – Every 3rd Saturday at Wickham Hall