THE RECTOR WRITES
With the arrival of Easter, I have been in Melton for nearly a year, and I’m really looking forward to completing a year in the Team… maybe then I might have some idea what’s really going on!?
Lent has, once again, been a journey of faith for each one of us, and the Lent Course led by Canon Michael has been much-appreciated by all those who have attended. Now, during April, we come to the end of the Lenten season, and prepare to celebrate, once again, the Easter festival.
Easter is, of course, at the very heart of the Christian faith. As St. Paul says (1 Corinthians 15:17) “…if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile”. We are an “Easter People” with the belief that because God raised Christ from the dead, we too are promised eternal life with him. So why do Christians sometimes look and act so miserably? We have an amazing promise from God and amazing good news to share.
On Maundy Thursday (1st) the Churches Together Service will be at 7.30 p.m. in the United Reformed Church, and St. Mary’s will host the “Watch of the Passion” from 9.00 p.m. through until midnight. This is an opportunity to come into Church and just be quiet for a while, as we prepare ourselves for remembering again the events of the last three days of Jesus’ earthly life. Do come along and use that opportunity for half an hour or so, if you are able.
On Good Friday morning there will be the usual 10.00 Churches Together March of Witness from St. Mary’s, culminating in a service in the market place at 10.30… when we’ll be giving out hot-cross buns to everyone! This is a great opportunity to share some of that good news I mentioned earlier with people in our parish. Then, in the afternoon, at St. Mary’s, we have a three hour “Devotions at the Cross” service from 12.00 – 3.00. Do come and join us for some (or all!) of that time.
On Easter Eve we have a new service for the Melton Team, Holy Communion and Service of Light, at 8.00 p.m. in St. Mary’s, when we will light the Paschal Candle and herald the beginning of the Easter celebration. Easter Day begins with a dawn service at 6.00 near St. Mary’s main door. Then, over the rest of the day, all our Churches have services, and both Thorpe (9.45 a.m.) and St. Mary’s (10.00 a.m.) have an Easter Egg Hunt for the children.
As “Easter People”, all that we are, as individuals and as a Church, should reflect that we are God’s people, and so the other important event during April is the Annual Parish Meeting in the Samworth Centre on Wednesday 14th, beginning at 7.30 p.m. I understand that this meeting has not been as well supported as the individual Church annual meetings, but I personally consider this the most important get-together, because it’s our opportunity to thank God collectively for all he’s done for us over this past year and all he will do for us in the year to come. One important piece of business will be reviewing our policy and practice of admitting children to receive Communion before Confirmation… and, to help the evening go “with a swing”, we’ll also be serving cheese & wine! Do join us, if you are able, and have your say about the future of your church here in this parish.
If you are able to come and celebrate Easter with us, you would be very welcome… and Alyson and I do wish you and yours a very happy and blessed Easter season.
Kevin Ashby
OBERAMMERGAU
PASSION PLAY
There are still a few places on the 31st July – 7th August trip (which includes a Rhine Cruise) & the 18th – 27th August trip (which includes a week in the Swiss Alps). For more information contact the Rector as soon as possible.
