Looking back at last year’s April magazine I see I was writing about how Easter had been whereas this year the pace is just beginning to pick up towards the Festival – Passiontide, Holy Week, Easter itself – is all still to come. I have sometimes wondered whether a fixed Easter wouldn’t be better, easier all round, tidier, if you like. When would we like it? As early as last year or as late as possible, or somewhere in the middle? Can you imagine the discussions it would take to fix on a date? And the energy wasted in arguing about it? Perhaps in these days of schedules and timing and regulations it’s rather nice, if slightly archaic, to have a festival whose date is fixed by the phases of the moon. No, on the whole, I’d rather leave it as it is.
And, of course, it gives me lots to say! Some of the derivations of the Easter services can be found further on in this magazine, along with a recipe designed to help you teach your children about the Easter story [and probably produce delicious biscuits too, though I admit I haven’t tried it.] Here in Hampstead we mark the start of Passiontide with a special service in place of Evensong on 2nd – a reading of the passion section from Bill Risebero’s version of the Mystery Plays produced here 2 years ago, interspersed with seasonal music from the choir. Then on Palm Sunday we start outside the church for the blessing of the palm crosses and process in for the service which includes a dramatised reading of the passion – this year from St Mark. It’s likely that the children will be doing their own passion play in the churchyard if it’s fine. In the evening we have Maunder’s Olivet to Calvary.
Details of the service times for Holy Week and Easter can be found on the back cover of the magazine – the first three reflective evenings leading into the intensity of the passion, played out in liturgy from Maundy Thursday to the triumphant rising of Easter Day. It’s a profoundly moving exercise for those who are able to attend them all but dipping into any one of them is a rewarding experience – each has its own dynamic. From the foot-washing on Maundy Thursday [for which we need 12 volunteers, please sign the list] to the Good Friday liturgy, preceded by a meditation for which we are fortunate this year to have The Revd Dr Angela Tilby to preach. Dr Tilby is well-known as an author, BBC broadcaster and contributor to ‘Thought for the Day’ as well as being Vice-Principal of Westcott House Theological College.
Easter Eve, which should I suppose really be spent in quiet meditation on our Lord’s death and lying in the tomb, is actually spent in an orgy of activity cleaning and decorating the church. Sheena Ginnings is particularly asking for everyone to come and put at least one flower in the cross – see page . In the evening, if you’re not cooking Easter biscuits with your children [see above ] there’s the Easter Vigil – a service of readings and psalms culminating in the lighting of a bonfire outside the church from which are lit the paschal candle and then all the candles in the church. In some churches this is either done at midnight or at dawn so that it leads into the first communion of Easter but, whilst we’ve considered these options, for this year we’re keeping it at 7.30pm. Maybe next year………
And so, finally, we come to Easter Day itself and its magnificent, joyful Parish Eucharist, followed by the distribution of Easter Eggs to the children [and the adults if there are any left over].
But April doesn’t end at Easter and on Tuesday 25th we have the Annual Parochial Church Meeting in the Moreland Hall. You are all invited to this meeting at which the Vicar, churchwardens account to the parish for what has happened in the year. It’s your parish and if you have concerns this is the place to bring them – only those on the Electoral Roll can vote but anyone can raise any issue.
On 29th April we have an Organ Recital, given by Roger Fisher. You can learn more about his life and work in Lee’s article on page including the fact that the recital seems to be at 6.30pm and not at 6pm as has been previously advertised. Better later than earlier – at least you won’t miss any!
It only remains to say – Don’t the repainted gates look amazing!? Please read Beryl’s article on page And keep the money coming in. It would be too awful if we had to stop at this stage and leave them uncompleted. And please GIFT AID it: at £12 each 4 railings become 5 with the Chancellor’s help