For Easter 2021 Rev Richard Kelley and Rev Selina Garner from the Wellington and District Team of churches have invited the wider community to join them to share hope and joy through the angels of joy project. People of all ages in our town, villages, churches and local schools have been working for weeks to knit and create flowers and angels of joy in all shapes and sizes.
The main display is in St John’s churchyard which has been transformed by hundreds of angels celebrating the Easter message of the resurrection of Jesus and the hope of new life and new beginnings as we come out of Lockdown. Children form IKB and St John’s school, some young people doing their Duke of Edinburgh Award, a massive team of knitters, church members and the local council have all worked together to transform the churchyard to overflow with colours, daffodils, angels, and a message of great joy!
Angels of Joy displays have also been installed in the churchyards in West Buckland, Bradford on Tone, Langford Budville, Greenham, Nynehead and Runnington and the United Reform Church as well as in St John’s school playground and the Lancer Court flowerbeds. Langford Budville primary school and West Buckland primary school helped create the displays and decorated angels for their villages with the support of their amazing teachers who have all been given angel of joy bags to thank them and assure them that the local church is there in prayer and to offer practical help wherever possible.
In addition over 500 angel of joy bags were shared with keyworkers in schools and nursing homes, PCC members, pastoral companions, chaplains and people who were caring for others throughout lockdown.
Rev Selina is planning to hold 11 class easter egg hunts and easter story telling events for children from the local schools once they return.
The Easter angel displays will be in St John’s churchyard and the village churchyards around Wellington from Easter day until Pentecost May 23. They are well worth a visit!