Dear Friends
I am writing at the beginning of Holy Week to check in with you on your Lenten journey. I wonder how its going, what we might have learned thus far and how you are supporting one another.
Last night, I visited Crowland and met with those on an ecumenical walking pilgrimage. Their journey had begun in Leicester. They enjoyed a service at Crowland Abbey before enjoying a delightful tea prepared by the locals in the Methodist Church, where they would rest overnight. This morning, they set off on the next leg of their journey across the fens to Wisbech. They will arrive in Walsingham, Norfolk, for the Easter weekend.
Walking the way of the cross can be hard, putting ourselves into the lives of those first disciples as they travel alongside Jesus, every step leading to a grand finale. I wonder what they felt like as they accompanied Jesus into Jerusalem, palms waving, people celebrating yet being aware that this could go very wrong.
During this Holy Week my personal pilgrimage will take me to various places. I am looking forward to leading a Maundy Thursday Communion at BOB over lunchtime, followed by a Communion Service at Brookside at 7pm.
Good Friday will take me to Whittlesey to give input on the walk of witness; I am aware that there are similar gatherings at Oundle, Crowland and Peterborough and we pray for those gathering at Yaxley for their family Easter event and the Messy Church event at Christchurch. I will finish Good Friday by leading a circuit service of reflection at 7pm at Southside Methodist Church.
I am writing at the beginning of Holy Week to check in with you on your Lenten journey. I wonder how its going, what we might have learned thus far and how you are supporting one another.
Last night, I visited Crowland and met with those on an ecumenical walking pilgrimage. Their journey had begun in Leicester. They enjoyed a service at Crowland Abbey before enjoying a delightful tea prepared by the locals in the Methodist Church, where they would rest overnight. This morning, they set off on the next leg of their journey across the fens to Wisbech. They will arrive in Walsingham, Norfolk, for the Easter weekend.
Walking the way of the cross can be hard, putting ourselves into the lives of those first disciples as they travel alongside Jesus, every step leading to a grand finale. I wonder what they felt like as they accompanied Jesus into Jerusalem, palms waving, people celebrating yet being aware that this could go very wrong.
During this Holy Week my personal pilgrimage will take me to various places. I am looking forward to leading a Maundy Thursday Communion at BOB over lunchtime, followed by a Communion Service at Brookside at 7pm.
Good Friday will take me to Whittlesey to give input on the walk of witness; I am aware that there are similar gatherings at Oundle, Crowland and Peterborough and we pray for those gathering at Yaxley for their family Easter event and the Messy Church event at Christchurch. I will finish Good Friday by leading a circuit service of reflection at 7pm at Southside Methodist Church.
On Easter Sunday I look forward to leading the early risers at the 6.30am service at Central Park, followed by the 10.30am service at Brookside, and the Easter Praise Celebration at Westgate New Church at 4pm. I would love to see you at any of our public services.
I am aware that many different events are happening over these coming days and would encourage you to join in, whether that be in the Methodist church or in ecumenical celebrations.
This week matters, this is the week when God shows us how much he loves us by being put to death on a cross, by death defeating death. May I wish you all safe pilgrimage and a joyous Easter celebration.
Every blessing
Colin