Sunday 29th March 2026 PALM SUNDAY Join us for our Services of Holy Communion with Reverend Lesley 9.30am St John’s Readings: Psalm 118: 1-2, 19-end; Matthew 21: 1-11 Wednesday 1st April 2026 HOLY WEDNESDAY As we approach the Easter Cross, join us for a Service of Prayer for Wholeness and Healing 7.30pm St Anne’s Thursday 2nd April 2026 MAUNDY THURSDAY Join us for our Services of The Washing of Feet and the Stripping of the Sanctuary 6pm St John’s Friday 3rd April 2026 GOOD FRIDAY As we contemplate the Cross, join us in our Service of Reflection 4pm St John’s –This will be a time for personal prayer & reflection in a candlelit, peaceful atmosphere with music appropriate to the theme of Christ’s crucifixion Sunday 5th April 2026 EASTER DAY Join us for our Services of Holy Communion with Reverend Lesley 9.30am St John’s
This year our Palm Crosses come from a project started in 1965 by Fr Alan Talbot, an Anglican Priest who served as a missionary in the Diocese of Masasi, Tanzania. The main aim of Fr Talbot’s project was to give local villagers a chance to earn some extra money to supplement their meagre income, whilst retaining dignity and the ability to carry on their farming work. The Palm Crosses are handwoven and made from dried branches of dwarf palm Hyphae Coriacia. These trees grow wild in the Masasi area so are not cultivated or chemically treated, furthermore no trees are cut down in the work of collecting Palm leaves for plaiting the Palm Crosses. Over the years the number of Palm Crosses sold increased and in1986 the company African Palms Ltd was formed. All profits made by African Palms Ltd are covenanted to the African Palms Assosciation, a trust, for use in Educational and Healthcare projects. For the last eight years the trust has worked closely with the Diocese of Masasi on many projects, including clean water supplies for the Palm Cross villages, the building of hostels, safehouses, dispensaries and a maternity unit. More information can be found on the website www.africanpalms.co.uk
From Monday 23 March to Sunday 12 April you can view a life-size replica of the original burial shroud believed to have been used to wrap the body of Jesus after the Crucifixion. Viewing this sacred cloth has proved to be a deeply moving and profound experience for many. There is an exhibition alongside which offers a fascinating opportunity to study the sacred cloth in detail and review evidence revealed by historical and scientific research. For more information visit the Cathedral website here.
