An Easter Journey

Our thoughts over Easter were guided by Archdeacon Tim Stratford, as he took various events from the last days of Jesus and helped us become part of the story. Over the evenings of Holy Week, at our Agape meal on Maundy Thursday, and at the Easter Eve service we tried to share with Jesus and the various characters in his story, making his sacrifice our own. Tim was helped throughout by our new vicar, Keith, in his first Easter with us.

On Maundy Thursday the service took the ancient tradition of the Passover celebrated by Jewish families as the basis for a shared meal, including Holy Communion. As we remembered the last supper Jesus shared with his followers, we re-called how he washed their feet – as their servant.

Foot-washing

Then we ate and drank together, enjoying each other’s company.

Agape Meal

To conclude out time, we did as Jesus did – took bread and wine as the symbols of his coming crucifixtion. Both were passed from person to person as we each served our neighbour.

Serving communion

And then, on Easter Eve – the Saturday, we gathered outside the church around a blazing fire in anticipation of the coming light of Easter Day.

Around the fire

The Easter Candle was lit from the fire, then we processed into the dark church, taking with us the light of Christ. From that one candle, the light was passed from person to person….

Sharing the light

…until the church was lit with a blaze of candles. Tim talked of that first Easter eve, of the disciples gradually learning that he whom they thought dead and buried, was alive!

Tim preaches

The light of Christ fills the church. He is risen!

Candle-lit church