MONDAY 25th TO FRIDAY 29th MARCH: Holy Week Meditation (St Mary’s, Hilton with Marston)Join Rev Ed for a Holy Week meditation from 8.00-9.30am, either in-person at the Schoolroom at St Mary’s Hilton with Marston or join in online via Zoom. This event is being held every weekday morning. Please feel free to attend either a single session, a few sessions or all of them. Booking is required if you wish to join in-person as a light breakfast is included. There is no charge, but we need to know numbers for catering purposes. THURSDAY 28th MARCH (MAUNDY THURSDAY): Chrism Eucharist (Derby Cathedral) The Chrism Eucharist at Derby Cathedral starts at 11.00am on Maundy Thursday during which the Blessing of the Oils will take place (those used for the infirm, in baptisms and ordinations), along with a renewal of vows by Clergy and Readers in the Diocese. Passover Seder Meal (St Mary’s, Hilton with Marston) Join us at 6:30pm on the evening of Maundy Thursday for a Passover Seder Meal including Communion and Tenebrae in the Schoolroom at St Mary’s Hilton with Marston on Dove. This is a family event lasting about 2 hours and all are welcome. The evening starts with a Seder meal, and some fun and worship, including Communion. The service concludes with Tenebrae, a service of shadows, where with readings and silence trace the story of Christ’s passion. As candles are extinguished, we ponder the depth of Christ’s suffering and death, and we leave in silence and meditation. There is a charge for the meal and booking is required (£11 for adults, £5 for children). Contact Vickie if you would like to attend, and please also invite your friends and neighbours. FRIDAY 29th MARCH (GOOD FRIDAY): Stations Of The Cross (St Michael’s, Church Broughton) We focus on Jesus’ journey to the cross as we recreate the Stations Of The Cross at St Michael’s in Church Broughton. SATURDAY 30th MARCH (EASTER EVE): Easter Vigil (St Michael’s, Broughton) Easter Vigil service starting at 7.00pm. This service is a beautiful liturgical worship service, and will include the Easter Fire, renewal of Baptismal Vows and Blessing of the four Easter Candles for our churches to be used at their home churches on Easter Sunday. The service will last for approximately 90 minutes. SUNDAY 31st MARCH (EASTER SUNDAY): Easter Day Holy Communion (all churches) 9.30am Easter Day Holy Communion at All Saints, Hatton 11.00am Easter Day Holy Communion at St Marys, Hilton with Marston on Dove 11.00am Easter Day Holy Communion at St Michael’s, Church Broughton 6.00pm Easter Day Holy Communion at St John’s, Boyleston To contact Appletree Churches: To book onto either the Holy Week Meditations or the Passover Seder Meal, or for more information on any of the events, please contact Vickie by email on office@appletreechurches.org or telephone 07977067585.
“Watch and Pray challenges us to seek God in both familiar and unfamiliar places: in darkness and in quiet; in movement and migration; in the healing and transforming work of the Spirit; in the weeping of Holy Week and in the joy of Easter morning.”Archbishops Justin Welby and Stephen CottrellThis Lent we are encouraged to wait expectantly for God to meet us and sustain us through the storms and trials we all face.The Church of England’s Lent theme for 2024 is Watch and Pray: Wisdom and hope for Lent and life.On the night he was betrayed, Jesus kneels in darkness in the Garden of Gethsemane. Though he pleads with his disciples, “Stay here with me … Watch and pray,” they all fall asleep, leaving him alone in his hour of deepest suffering.Watch and Pray invites us to seek God in both familiar and unfamiliar places this Lent: in darkness and in quiet; in movement and migration; in the healing and transforming work of the Spirit; in the weeping of Holy Week and in the joy of Easter morning.For more information about Watch and Pray including daily readings and other resources, please visit cofe.io/WatchAndPrayThank you.