Easter Vigil / The First Eucharist of Easter

for 1 hour, 30 mins
Hundon, All Saints
North Street Hundon, CO10 8ED, United Kingdom

From earliest times Christians have gathered through the night of Easter to recall the story of God’s saving work, from creation through to the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This service is meant to be a real experience of new life, a passing from darkness to light which offers hope to all the faithful.

The Easter Vigil marks the end of the emptiness of Holy Saturday, and leads into the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. The singing of the Exsultet, the ancient hymn of triumph and rejoicing, links the night of our Christian redemption to the Passover night of Israel’s redemption out of Egypt. Christian baptism is a participation in the death and resurrection of Christ. The Easter Vigil is a fitting time for all those who are already Christians to repeat with renewed commitment the promises of their own baptism. The Easter Gospel is proclaimed with all the joy and splendour that the church can find.

The Easter Eucharist follows immediately on from the Vigil. All the resources of the church – music, flowers, bells, colours – are used to celebrate Christ’s resurrection. The ‘Alleluia’, which has been silent throughout Lent, returns!

Clare, St Peter & St Paul

Is it a great ocean liner afloat on the skyline? No, it’s one of Suffolk’s great churches with ‘a small tower for a fo’c’sle and two turrets for masts’ as author Simon Jenkins once put it. This beautiful building dominates the north end of the town, reflecting the prosperity of Clare in the Middle Ages when the main trade was cloth-making.

What's special?

The exceptional height of nave and the huge aisle windows where the light streams in through the lavish arcades. 

Look out for the gallery of 15th century roof faces and try out the handsome private pews, one bearing the emblems of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon.

The 18th century ringers’ gotch – that’s a beer jug. Beer was once the payment for the ringers. Clare’s ring of eight is said to be the heaviest in Suffolk.

How old is it?

The present church dates back to at least 13th century but after a visit by the image-breaker William Dowsing in 1643, the heraldic glass in the east window is all that is left of the 15th century glass that once might have filled the church.



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Get in touch

The Revd Mark Woodrow

The Vicarage
14 High Street
Clare
Suffolk

CO10 8NY
The Revd Mark Woodrow, Rector
01787 277515

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Easter Vigil / The First Eucharist of Easter

for 1 hour, 30 mins
Hundon, All Saints
North Street Hundon, CO10 8ED, United Kingdom

From earliest times Christians have gathered through the night of Easter to recall the story of God’s saving work, from creation through to the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This service is meant to be a real experience of new life, a passing from darkness to light which offers hope to all the faithful.

The Easter Vigil marks the end of the emptiness of Holy Saturday, and leads into the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. The singing of the Exsultet, the ancient hymn of triumph and rejoicing, links the night of our Christian redemption to the Passover night of Israel’s redemption out of Egypt. Christian baptism is a participation in the death and resurrection of Christ. The Easter Vigil is a fitting time for all those who are already Christians to repeat with renewed commitment the promises of their own baptism. The Easter Gospel is proclaimed with all the joy and splendour that the church can find.

The Easter Eucharist follows immediately on from the Vigil. All the resources of the church – music, flowers, bells, colours – are used to celebrate Christ’s resurrection. The ‘Alleluia’, which has been silent throughout Lent, returns!

Everyday faith

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Our Benefice

Safeguarding

The parish of Clare with Poslingford is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Benefice Safeguarding Officer. The Diocese of St. Edmundsbury & Ipswich’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our Benefice Safeguarding Officer. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Service.

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