Newsletter: April, 2004

Holy Week

All Jesus’ acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching. Luke 23.49

When we want to observe Holy Week in some special way, we may try to attend some extra church services; we may watch one or other of the religious programmes that appear on radio or television. Above all, we may try and relate what is described in the Gospels to our own daily life. This week in the life of Jesus is described in greater detail than any other part of his ministry. We see in it a host of characters — are we like any of them? The disciples — Peter, Judas Iscariot — the high priests, Pontius Pilate, members of the crowd. A look at each member of the cast, in the drama of Holy Week, can make us think of our own Christian commitment and loyalty.

Alternatively, we may examine the daily goings-on during this week. Every day seems to represent some sort of person, and it may be that we can see ourselves behaving just like those who appear in the Passion narrative.

On Palm Sunday, we read that Jesus entered the city and was welcomed with enthusiasm and with joy. This can be our experience of him. We welcome him into our own lives. We can be Palm Sunday Christians, crying “Hosanna”, pleased and excited to meet our Lord. Nevertheless, we have to remember that this greeting did not appear to have any permanence.

On the Monday and Tuesday of Holy Week, the stories tell us about argument and confrontation. These differences were between people who believed in God. There were those who held on to traditions quite unthinkingly, others who felt threatened by any new teaching. There were even, some who felt that the dignity of their faith and worship was undermined. We do not have to look far to see “Monday and Tuesday” Christians, or to see their attitudes in ourselves.

It seems that on Wednesday Jesus was in the home of friends. He went to people who loved him and cared about him. Mary, Martha and Lazarus believed that by giving hospitality to Jesus they were privileged and blessed. Their home was changed because of his presence. This too can be our experience. For many Christians the happiness of their home reflects their love of Jesus. The love of family and friends, the shared devotion makes them into Wednesday people, and we know what a blessed state that can be. However, this was the day that Judas may have been affronted at what he felt was waste and that what had been a token of love could have been sold for the poor. We may ask what kind of friends are we?

Thursday is a day of very mixed activity. We may be sacramental people, and our lives are continually strengthened because the events of the Last Supper are a reality in our worship of God. We share regularly and faithfully in the actions of Christ when he took, he blessed, he broke and he gave. It may be that this is the day in Holy Week where we are on our Christian journey. However, we know that we may not be Christians of the Upper Room but of Gethsemane. Who sleeps, or who runs away. Who betrays or denies. There are plenty of things taking place on Thursday that can be all too close within our own Christian life.

All of us have Good Friday experiences. At some time in our life, we know pain, suffering and bereavement. It may be through the death of someone we love, or the death of a relationship. It may be rejection and injustice. For some of us this may be very recent, and we are held at our Good Friday in our sadness and our pain. Each of the events of the day can relate to something that has happened to us, or is happening in the world today — loneliness, cruelty, hunger and thirst, war, homelessness, imprisonment. There are so many people who know what it is to be at their Good Friday.

Then we come to Holy Saturday — the day of waiting. Waiting with hope for better things, we know people who have experienced their Good Friday and who need our support to find new life. Much of the church's ministry and pastoral care is demanded by those who have experienced Good Friday and wait for Resurrection — who are people of Holy Saturday. We may be there ourselves.

On Sunday 11th April, we shall all celebrate the fact that we are a church and people of the Resurrection. We look forward to that and pray that despite our failings and our share in all the events of this coming week, they all lead surely and certainly to another day of which we can be part. The final day in this Holy Week. Alleluia.

Lorna Smith

NEWS IN BRIEF
The Church was full for the MOSAIC concert on 20th March and we were entertained with music ranging from Stainer to the Beatles. Everyone enjoyed it and we look forward to a repeat visit perhaps next year. Many thanks to all the members of the group for such a good evening.

PARISH CENTRE APPEAL
Total raised so far £88,808
Total expenditure so far £9,181
Total promises so far £17,688
Money available for project £97,315
Balance needed £402,685

Donations during March were £331 plus £50 from the Pancake Party and £546 from the Mosaic Concert.

ELECTORAL ROLL REVISION
There is still time to add your name to the current Church Electoral Roll. If you wish to be able to vote at the Parish Annual Meeting, you need to be on the list. If your name does not appear on the list at the back of the Church and you would like it to, please collect a form and return it by the end of Sunday 4th April.

BAPTISM
On Holy Saturday (10th April) at 8.00pm there will be an opportunity for older children and adults to be baptised in preparation for confirmation. Please let the Vicar know if you are interested.

CONFIRMATION
The next Confirmation for this Deanery will be in Guildford Cathedral on Sunday 16th May at 3.00pm. The Vicar is now collecting names of anyone who would like to be confirmed at this time.

CHRISTIANS AGAINST POVERTY
CAP is based in Bradford and has 23 branches throughout England and Scotland. Each centre is opened in partnership with a local church.

The Chertsey Centre (based in Addlestone) has been open for almost 18 months and has been able to help people who are struggling with the problem of debt. For more information contact 01932 821848 or email Chertsey@ CAPuk.org.

FROM THE REGISTERS
Holy Baptism:
(14th March) Eden Louise Simpson

Funerals:
(3rd March) Gladys Buckham; (16th) Shirley Ayling; (22nd) Eric Charles Herbert; (25th) Anne Traynor.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

AFTERNOON TEAS
There will be cream teas served on Saturday 8th May from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. This takes the place of the Coffee morning.

ANNUAL MEETING
The Annual Vestry Meeting (where the Churchwardens are elected) and The Annual Parochial Church Meeting will take place at approximately 10.45am (after the 9.30am service) on Sunday 25th April.

This is the occasion when accounts and annual report are presented, members of the PCC are elected and everyone has an opportunity to review the events of the previous year and look forward to the forthcoming items. Please join us.

ROYAL HOLLOWAY RECITALS
The next organ recital in Royal Holloway Chapel is by Oliver King, Chapel Organist of King William College, Isle of Man and Assistant Organist of Oxford City Church, on Sunday 9th May at 7.30pm. Entry is free but donations are invited for the Chapel Choir Fund.

HOLY WEEK SERVICES
Monday 5th April
9.00am Morning Prayer
9.15am Holy Communion
5.00pm Evening Prayer

Tuesday 6th April
9.00am Morning Prayer
9.15am Holy Communion
5.00pm Evening Prayer

Wednesday 7th April
9.00am Morning Prayer
10.00am Holy Communion
5.00pm Evening Prayer

Thursday 8th April
(Maundy Thursday)
9.00am Morning Prayer
5.00pm Evening Prayer
8.00pm Liturgy of the Day followed by The Watch until midnight

Friday 9th April
(Good Friday)
9.00am Morning Prayer
12 noon Good Friday Liturgy
5.00pm Evening Prayer

Saturday 10th April (Holy Saturday)
9.00am Morning Prayer
5.00pm Evening Prayer
8.00pm Lighting of the New Fire
and the Pascal Candle, Holy Baptism

CHRISTIANS TOGETHER IN EGHAM
GOOD FRIDAY (9th April)
WALK OF WITNESS
Walkers meet at Egham Library at 10.00am for a short opening service and then walk to the United Church in Egham High Street for a Good Friday devotion. Following the service, refreshments will be served in the new Pastoral Centre.

CALENDAR FOR APRIL 2004