Passiontide in the Church of England covers the final two weeks of lent, beginning on the fifth Sunday of Lent ( Passion Sunday) and concluding with Holy Saturday. This period intensifies the focus on Christ's suffering, often featuring the veiling of crosses and images, a shift to deeper violet or Passiontide colours, and readings focusing on the Passion.Key Aspects of Passiontide in the C of E:Timing: Begins on the 5th Sunday of Lent (formerly Passion Sunday, now often referred to as the start of Passiontide) and concludes at the end of Holy Week.Focus: Shifts from the earlier Lenten theme of desert temptation to the final, intense contemplation of Jesus’s suffering and crucifixion.Atmosphere: Traditionally marked by a more sombre tone, often including the veiling of statues, icons, and crucifixes with unbleached linen or purple cloths to reflect a focus on Christ's hidden divinity during his suffering.Liturgical Changes: While Common Worship focuses heavily on the Passion narrative, traditional practices like veiling crucifixes, which are unveiled on Good Friday, may still be observed.Colours: Purple (violet) is traditionally used from Ash Wednesday through to the day before Palm Sunday. This period is designed to prepare the faithful for the events of Holy Week and the Resurrection, serving as a time of deep meditation on the Passion
Pam’s ponderings as we transition from interregnum to Revd Jane’s leadership.These are exciting times - both as we reflect on and give thanks for interregnum opportunities and as we look to the future and how we move forward as individual disciples and church communities.Thanks to each and every one who has stepped up and stepped in to make sure we offer services, services of worship in all 3 churches, services of care in our communitiesReflecting on my interim role, it has been such a joy and privilege. From the bottom of my heart I am so thankful for all the support and encouragement I have been given and grateful to have shared the ways all 3 churches have responded during the last 18 months. For those who don’t know the position of a retired priest with permission to officiate – PTO - everything we do is by invitation, the invitation of the incumbent or churchwardens when there isn’t one. Thank you for that invitation. Amazing to see how people have mastered new skills to support church life and release priests to do what only they are ordained and authorised to do.News and communication has blossomed with the active website, weekly newsletter and monthly magazine, using social media and putting posters and leaflets everywhere, including the gift of inspiring texts on postcards in each church.Security of the churches has been provided by teams of key holders braving the elements to open up our sacred spaces and you would be surprised how many visitors appreciate that. Keyholders have provided havens of silence in a noisy world. What a ministry.I, me and mine have been lost in the shared experiences of working together and WE have emerged with stronger teams, that in itself is a powerful witness to what church means.Talents and time have been gifted to resource the maintenance of our traditions and the launch of some new activities. We have not stood still.Indebted is how I feel towards Roy who has supported me to find the extra time that I wanted to give during the interregnum.Open has to be our key attitude to how God will take his church, his people, into his futureNow we gather to support Revd Jane and listen for God’s voice in her wordsMy prayer is that, as we transition through the church season of Lent to Easter, we will come closer to The One who never changes in love, peace and grace, to the hope that is faith not religion. Amen
The Archbishop of Canterbury has shared a prayer for the Middle East.Let us pray for God’s mercy and protection for all the people of the Middle East.Please pray especially for Archbishop Hosam and the whole Episcopal/Anglican Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East, including the Diocese of Iran.Anglican churches are caught up in this conflict in countries across the region. As they continue to follow Christ’s call to be peacemakers, may they be strengthened in the face of yet more trial.Around the Anglican Communion, let us hear and join this call to urgent prayer. May God protect the innocent from this violence and destruction, and may all parties uphold international law and return to negotiations.And for our Anglican sisters and brothers across the region: may God’s peace continue to guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.AmenArchbishop Sarah Mullally
We are planning a labyrinth (maze) at Shiplake church, which will be in situ throughout Holy Week (Monday 30th March to Friday 3rd April) and available to all when the church is open (usually 10 am - 4.30 pm) following a blessing service and launch at 10 am on Monday 30th March - please do join us for that if you can.The design is yet to be finalised but promises to be both a contemplative and spiritual experience as well as a fun family activity. We will also have some of our usual prayer stations set up too.We look forward to welcoming you and/or hearing your thoughts after your visit.Best wishesVic and Wendy
What is Come and See?Each Lent, we delve into a new aspect of Christian faith - this year we're looking at the Eucharist - or Holy Communion. It's perfect for new and old Christians alike, and can be done on your own, as a family, as a church, school or in a small group.What does it involve?There are two ways to get involved: 1. Everyone who registers online receives a short daily email to reflect on, and a weekly video from Bishop Steven exploring the themes in a bit more detail. There are intergenerational activities each Sunday, so you can do it together as a family too. You can sign up now to receive the daily emails at https://www.oxford.anglican.org/come-and-see2. This year, David Williams will be hosting the Come and See sessions at Harpsden Church at 11am, after the 10am Holy Communion Service, each Wednesday. This will be followed by a simple lunch at 12pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.Following the Come and See Lent study of encounter with Jesus in the bread and wine of Holy Communion, there will be a 'donate generously, eat simply' Lent lunch @ 12 noon. It will raise funds so others can eat. You are welcome to join even if you cannot attend the group discussion. Donations always welcome. RSVP to Revd Pam
‘God moves in a mysterious way: His wonders to perform … He plants his footsteps in the sea and rides upon the storm …”Certainly in our troubled chaotic world of today we need divine intervention …but isn’t that the essence of our faith ? As this epiphany tide suggests THERE is light in the darkness AND the darkness will not overcome it ! ( John 1..) But are we clinging on by our metaphorical finger tips ? Rather it’s about hope, the Christian essence of hope, rather than the crossed human fingers variety ! ..instead of despair which seems even more pertinent as we begin another new year… shrouded in dysfunctional human behaviour… of failing ‘to love one another, as ourselves,’ as our Lord suggested.Our insecure world begats insecurity … within the perimeters of fake news, conspiratory theories and AI, do we honestly know who is pulling humanities strings. Rather like Michel Angelo’s painting of God and Adam ? Are they reaching out finger wise to each other or is Adam already parting from his Creator ? Each of us will have our personal interpretation. Fond remembrance of the Bethlehem story certainly has many similarities to today; the holy family were living under the cruel brutal Roman occupation, any perceived wrong doing often ended in crucifixion. The authorities preferred that way of making an example of someone ! As our Lord was to later experience, despite Pilate pledging his innocence. There was even an element of Big Brother …as everyone was summoned to their home town to be taxed … questioning my own taxation ..I was informed the banks etc are now required to divulge our monetary assets! Such is life two centuries later ! Even the shepherds and wise men partially recognised Jesus in his difference of being God’s Son.. being fully human and divine. Do we? Affirming our faith is the starting block for all the human race even in the complexity of today.! For Doubt sees the darkest night, faith sees the day, Doubt dreads to take a step, faith soars on high, Doubt questions who believes, faith answers “ I.” As we start another year … May I pose the question Is God your ‘go to God ‘ in all eventualities or an Aladdin’s lamp divine image rubbed only when absolutely necessary I We have been very blessed by Revd Jane and Alan coming to us in March, please pray for this time of transition, both in Barton and here. Her installation as priest in charge is on March 9th at Shiplake at 7:30 pm all are welcome.
