Thoughts from The Vicarage with ‘please help’, Sunday and Confirmation
Greetings ! Please find Pews News attached with service information for the coming week, prayer requests and readings for Mothering Sunday services on this 4th Sunday of Lent! How Many Sundays to Easter … ? That’s right! We will be marking Mothering Sunday, Palm Sunday, Holy week, Good Friday, Holy Saturday all culminating in the rejoicing of Easter.
Mothering Sunday March 15th a day to celebrate the love and care of all who have a mothering role and recall God’s great love for each one of us. A day when we give thanks for our Earthly Mothers, yet, it can be a day of sadness, one which brings up memories that are painful for those in our midst who carry sadness unbeknown to others.
We are invited to widen the meaning of this day. Instead of seeing motherhood only as a biological role, we can begin to think about mothering as something larger, deeper, something that reflects the very heart of God. The origins of the day are that Churches encouraged people to return to their ‘mother Church,’ the one that had nurtured them. Now, it’s a day when we give thanks for our own Mothers, for those who birthed us, for those who have adopted us, for those who have cared for us as Mary cared for her son Jesus. We’ll hear of stories of a mother’s love and there will be flowers!
Help please!
Help 1 – March 20th a day of sprucing up St Michael’s inside & outside ready for Easter has been set aside and kindly organised by Doug Kirby who has a plan. He’ll be baking some dairy free and some gluten free no processed sugar treats for 20th for the Yard team and interior church team. There will be vacuuming dusting and polishing inside after cobweb removal with long tickle sticks, edging paths, weed killing and cutting back ivy, leaf and moss clearance. Phew – I need help!
The three days leading up to Easter Day are known as the Triduum; Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Each will be marked in St Michael’s church (details on the date list) and I am looking for a bit of assistance.
Help 2 – At the Maundy Thursday service the service will include a short act of feet washing and I am looking for volunteers who would be willing for me to wash one foot very gently & carefully.
Help 3 – Holy Saturday sees a very quiet, deeply moving service in the chancel of St Michael’s as we wait and watch with Bible readings, short set prayers with quiet moments interspersed. I would love to welcome anyone who’d like to read a short Bible passage. No need to stand or move from your place. There are a number of readings so please do let me know if you’d like to read.
Confirmation
A number of people have approached me about confirmation. This will likely be in the Autumn. Please let me know if you are interested or would like to find out more about it. I will be holding sessions related to confirmation and of course, all would be welcome – especially if you would either like some faith refreshment or would like to go deeper or simply to find out more. There is no upper age limit and I am happy to chat about individual younger cases – just come and ask!!
Finally, a Prayer of St Anselm 1109 Jesus, like a mother you gather your people to you; you are gentle with us as a mother with her children. Despair turns to hope through your sweet goodness; through your gentleness we find comfort in fear. Your warmth gives life to the dead, your touch makes sinners righteous. Lord Jesus, in your mercy heal us; in your love and tenderness remake us. In your compassion bring grace and forgiveness, for the beauty of heaven may your love prepare us.
Every blessing,
Julie
Revd Julie Mintern
Diary Dates
- Monday March 16th 2.30 – Lent group @ Christine’s home
- Wednesday March 18th 7pm – Come & See Lent gathering @ Meridian
- Monday March 23rd 2.00 – Lent group @ Christine’s home
- Wednesday 25th 1.30 – Lambourn CE Primary school Easter celebration @ St Michael’s
- Wednesday March 25th 7pm – Come & See Lent gathering @ Meridian
- Friday March 27th – Lambourn school breaks up
- Sunday March 29th – Palm Sunday Benefice service Blessing of Palms St Michael & All Angels
- Monday of Holy Week March 30th 7pm – Holy Communion & Homily St Michael & All Angels
- Tuesday Holy week March 31st 7pm – Holy Communion & Homily St James
- Wednesday of Holy Week April 1st 7pm – Holy Communion & Homily All Saints
- Maundy Thursday April 2nd – Holy Communion & stripping of altars St Michael & All Angels
- Good Friday April 3rd 10.00 – Walk of Witness meet at Sacred Heart
- Good Friday April 3rd 11.00 – Veneration of The Cross Sacred Heart Church
- Good Friday April 3rd 12.00 – Good Friday Liturgy St James
- Good Friday April 3rd – Requiem & Anthems St Michael & All Angels
- Holy Saturday April 4th 7pm – Easter Vigil St Michael & All Angels
- Sunday April 5th Easter Day 9.00 – Easter Day Holy Communion All Saints
- Sunday April 5th Easter Day 10.30 – Easter Day Holy Communion St James
- Sunday April 5th Easter Day 10.30 – Easter Day Festal Sung Eucharist St Michael & All Angels
- Sunday April 5th Easter Day 6.30 pm – Festal Evensong St Michael & All Angels