Ah my dear Lord, the church is locked
but let my heart be open to your presence;
there let us make, you and I,
your Easter garden;
plant it with flowers,
and let the heavy stone be rolled away.
I have been inspired by this poem by Alan Amos and have made an Easter-at-home resource for this unique Holy Week and Easter season. ‘Easter Windows‘ invites us to explore the story in nine readings, with some reflection for the moment and a chance to build up a window space to tell this week’s amazing story afresh at home. I would love to see photos of what you come up with! You can find everything you need to get started on these pages.
AND FROM our Diocese
The Bishops of Worcester and Dudley will be taking to social media during Holy Week and Easter to offer a series of reflections and services for congregations and others to follow online. These daily reflections will add to the 8.30am service and 6.30pm short music recital which are both streamed each day on the Worcester Cathedral Facebook page.
The Bishop of Worcester, Dr John Inge, said: “This is a Holy Week and Easter like no other. It is the most important time of year for Christians when we remember the death and resurrection of Jesus. Although churches are closed, we can still come together virtually in worship and prayer to mark this important season. Parishes are reaching out to their communities in so many different and amazing ways at the moment. We hope that our reflections will add to what they are doing and help provide a focus for all across the Diocese.”
The reflections will be published on the Diocese of Worcester website and social media channels around 11am each day from Palm Sunday (5 April) to Holy Saturday (11 April). On Easter Sunday (12 April), Bishop John will live stream a special Eucharist at 8.30am along with his Easter message. Many parishes will also be reaching out to their congregations during this week with their own reflections on websites and social media as well as opportunities to join morning and evening prayer and an Easter Sunday service through YouTube, Facebook or Zoom.
The Diocese of Worcester online for Holy Week and Easter:
8.30am daily – worship from the Cathedral clergy including:
- Palm Sunday: Eucharist with the Dean including blessing of Palms
- Easter Day: Eucharist with Bishop John including a renewal of baptismal vows
11am daily – Short reflection
- Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday & Easter Sunday: Bishop John
- Monday: Short film featuring both bishops
- Tuesday, Wednesday & Holy Saturday: Bishop Martin
6.30pm daily – Short music recital live-streamed from the Cathedral (on the Cathedal Facebook page)
Maundy Thursday: 8.30pm Eucharist led by the Dean with watch before the blessed sacrament.
Easter Day: Easter message from Bishop John.
Ideas for Holy Week and Easter and Hymn Singing Challenge for Easter Day
We have become ‘a different sort of church’ in ways we couldn’t have imagined several weeks ago. While worship in our churches is suspended, our joy in the resurrection is not to be silenced. Across the country, churches are finding ways to join in loving and praying for the communities they serve. As we all journey together at this very difficult time in the life of the nation and the world, what are some of the ways in which the national Church is seeking to support churches, Christians and those exploring faith? As we are largely confined to our homes and physically separated from one another, we need to find ‘the church within’.
Church of England website