During Holy Week, we celebrate and reflect on Jesus’ journey to the cross and His resurrection three days after his death by crucifixion. It is a time for contemplation, renewal, and rejoicing.
In his Easter letter Bishop Michael talks about new life for all the world. He ask’s “What would happen if we were to think of our churches as gardens, primed to welcome the spring that is the new life of Jesus this Easter?
What would happen if we imagined ourselves called to be gardeners – like our father Adam and the new Adam, Jesus? What would we expect to grow? What might need pruning or weeding? What new plans for the coming season would we make and turn into action? What would be the harvest that we’d sow for, tend and then reap?
“For I reckon we should see Easter as the starting point of all that God wants to do among us and with us. Jesus’s resurrection opens us to being part of God’s new creation. Easter offers us a fresh start for life, relationships and the life of our churches: new life for all the world.” Read Bishop Michael's letter in full on the Manna mailing page of the website.
Bishop Michael will taking part in the Easter vigil at Wells Cathedral 8pm on Good Friday and will be preaching at Bath Abbey on Easter Sunday at 9:30am and 11:30am
Services at Wells Cathedral during Holy Week
Services at Bath Abby during Holy Week
Across Bath and Wells people are coming together throughout Holy Week to reflect on Jesus’ life and death and to celebrate His resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Services will be held in all churches across the diocese please check A Church Near You for services in your area.
At St Paul’s Church in Weston super Mare they’ve been holding an immersive Holy Week Experience, a Maundy Thursday meal, with communion, will take place at 7pm St Mary’s Church in Bridgwater, On Good Friday there will be a vigil at 2pm at the foot of the cross at St Mary’s Church in Charlcombe, Bath, at St Andrew’s in Cheddar the all age service will travel around the church, learning the story of Good Friday afterwards people are encouraged to stay for refreshments and if they like, can take part in helping with the Easter garden.
Churches Together in Wells will begin Good Friday with a service at 10am at St Cuthbert’s Church. A cross will then be carried through the city to the Market Square where a short service will be held before the cross is laid down on the green outside the Bishop’s Palace. The cross will be decorated on Easter Sunday.
Schools across Bath and Wells have engaged students in Easter celebrations and teachings. Year 5 pupils from Danesfield Middle School collaborated with St. Peter's Church in Wilton for an Easter Extravaganza. At St. John's Church, Eastover Primary School's Year 4 pupils participated in Easter activities, including waving palms, foot washing, and a reenactment of the Last Supper. Younger children explored the Easter narrative by creating Easter gardens and St. Peter's Draycott and Rodney Stocke CofE First School participated in Easter-themed collective worship alongside family members.