Why are we celebrating VE Day?VE Day stands for Victory in Europe Day, which took place on Tuesday, May 8 in 1945.It marked the end of World War II and was the day on which allied forces announced the surrender of Germany in Europe.The day before, Germany had surrendered, while Hitler had committed suicide a week earlier.This left Grand Admiral Donitz of the German army to admit defeat and surrender Nazi Germany.75 years later, Business Secretary Greg Clark said it is important we continue to 'honour our heroes'.Crowds celebrated VE Day in Trafalgar Square in 1945He said: "It will ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to remember and honour our heroes of the Second World War and reflect on the sacrifices of a generation."Sir Andrew Gregory, chief executive of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, added: "It is our duty to keep the events of the past alive in collective memory, including future generations - this is how we ensure that such a conflict never happens again."It is our hope that the nation takes a moment to reflect on the significance of this date, as a milestone that changed the course of history for the whole world.”
Holy Week in the Two Shires BeneficeThis is obviously a Holy Week with a difference. It is natural to ‘mourn’ what we won’t be doing this year that we would normally be doing; but do also use this time to reflect on the journey of Holy Week for you now. During this week every year we are entering into the journey that Christ and his followers went through from Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, through the Passion, and onto the Resurrection. In many ways this year, like no other in recent times, our own times follow this form. We are on a painful journey, but in the midst of that there is hope and there will be resurrection.‘In house’ there are a number of things that you can access to help observe Holy Week this year. Do keep looking at https://twoshires.wordpress.com to see new content. There is a special page for Holy Week, and the content relevant for the day will appear on the Prayer page also.· Compline – there is a recorded service of Compline that can be used any evening. https://twoshires.wordpress.com/2020/04/06/monday-in-holy-week/· Maundy Thursday – There will be ‘An Invitation’; an order of service you can follow at home in your own time whilst you have your main meal of the day. It uses prayers, songs and meditations before, during and after your meal as we remember the Last Supper together. It will be available to download from Wednesday night at: https://twoshires.wordpress.com/gallery-downloads-and-links/· Good Friday – There is a meditative Stations of Cross prepared using images from local hedgerows and the Good Friday Reproaches you can join in with. It will be available to use from Friday morning on the website here https://twoshires.wordpress.com/contact/· Easter Sunday – I will be pre-recording an Easter Sunday service in my garden which will include sharing in the breaking of the bread. I will also be blessing and lighting a candle to put in our Easter Garden at home which, once our churches are open again, I will use to take the Light into each church as part of that rejoicing when that happens. The Easter Sunday service will ‘go live’ on the site at 10am on Easter morning here: https://twoshires.wordpress.com/sunday-service/Do also have a look at the Deanery website; https://ilminsterdeanery.uk/ where there is content being made available all the time. Particularly you might want to sing some Easter hymns with our own Pamela Everitt who has recorded a hymn for each day. Thank you, Pamela.
Dear friendsWelcome to my weekly update for the parishes. Please do circulate to those that you know, and therefore apologies if you receive this more than once.General Situation & update on parish magazinesWe are in week 2 of the increased restrictions. I hope and pray that you are all coping as best you can. Please do keep abreast of current affairs, but also, do not obsess over it. Our mental health is as important as our physical health and it is vital that you do what you need to do to look after that too. We are trying very hard to not look at the news or talk about Coronavirus once we sit down at the end of the day! See attached file for more .
Sadly we have had to make a decision to postpone our family craft event below. The members of the church who will be running this event are very much in the vulnerable category with regard to coronavirus and we need to make sure that what we do or don't do keeps them as safe as possible and unnecessary risks are not taken.We are definitely looking forward to rearranging this event as soon as we know the coronavirus has gone away. Let's do Mothering Sunday and Easter crafts in the summer months!!!!
