Normally this week I would be sending out an email or leaflet inviting you to join us for Holy Week and to find time and space to walk with Christ.
This year this will obviously have a different feel and focus – but I hope that you will each make a commitment to share with us as we explore the journey to the Cross and beyond.
You should already have received information about material we have made available for daily reflections to use at home. These will be supplemented by regular postings on our website (www.portseaparish.co.uk) and social media of daily reflections posted each day after the Noon celebration.
Details of how to access this will be on the webpage – if you need help or assistance to follow this or access material then please do contact us and our wonderful IT team will help you.
Each Day we will also continue our ‘Christ in our Homes’ celebrations from the vicarage at Noon (except on Sundays and from Maundy Thursday till Easter Day – see below for timetable).
Also please continue to pause and pray at 9 and 5 – again material is available on website or on national Church of England page or the Daily Prayer app all links available at portseaparish.co.uk.
Lastly, to participate in Palm Sunday I am challenging everyone to make their own ‘palm’ cross – from paper, card or any material to hand.
There are videos available on how to do this (and we will post more over the next 2 days). But for a starter please look at https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TSF7-8QmrPY.
Once you have made yours please photo of it and share the image with us either by email or social media and we will then find a way of sharing the collection with everyone – a sign and reminder of our shared journey of faith in Holy Week.
So you are invited to join us for the following special celebration of ‘Holy Week in our Homes’ (on web page etc) in addition to the above
| Palm Sunday Eucharist | April 5th 10am | Celebration of Palm Sunday and Eucharist. |
| Maundy Thursday | April 9th 8pm | Celebration of Maundy Thursday ending with a time for silent prayer and a vigil (approximately 30 minutes) |
| Good Friday | April 10th Noon | Stations of the Cross – reflections led by Revd Sam and Revd Sue. |
| 1:15pm, 1:30pm and 1:45pm | Stations of the Cross led by Revd Marcus | |
| 2pm | Celebration of Good Friday | |
| Holy Saturday | April 11th Noon | Reflections on waiting in emptiness led by Canon Bruce |
| 8pm | Celebration of Holy Saturday and first Eucharist of Easter | |
| Easter Day | April 12th 10am | Celebration of Easter Day and Eucharist |
All of these will be available on our web sites and via social media at these times and accessible afterwards as well
If we can help you in anyway then do not hesitate to ask and I look forward to sharing Holy Week with you and my colleagues
Best wishes
Father Bob
vicar@portseaparish.co.uk