Churches across the diocese have marked Easter with a range of different services and events with many taking the good news of Jesus out into their local communities. These are some stories from our local churches:
The Parish of Bishopstoke
Messy Easter was enjoyed at the Parish of Bishopstoke. There were eight activities, all designed to focus minds on the death and resurrection of Jesus.
These included decorating a cross to reflect on the fact that he died for us, knocking nails into wood to think about the pain he suffered, creating an Easter garden to think of the sadness of his friends, family and followers and planting a bulb to see new life emerge and remember how Jesus rose from the dead.
Revd Richard Wise said, “We run Messy Church most months of the year as it’s very accessible and creative for both children and adults, who may not be used to coming to church. Our regular church children also really look forward to Messy Church week. Some of our teenagers are ‘Messy Church young leaders’, who gain a lot from thinking about the passage beforehand and facilitating some of the activities. It was great that on this occasion a Year 6 child devised one of the activities.”
One of the children said he enjoyed all the activities especially planting a bulb in the soil as a reminder of new life. Another commented, “I liked decorating a cross because I like doing art. It made me think of Jesus dying and coming back to life. It made me feel happy that Jesus is alive.”
All Saints, Milford on Sea
Throughout Holy Week parishioners were encouraged to journey with Jesus through the events leading to the cross.
Footprints around the church led to a series of prayer stations, with activities to encourage thought, prayer and reflection.
Curate Sam Dinsmore said, “In the run-up to Easter, from Monday to Thursday of Holy Week, we opened our church as a Prayer Room and a space for reflection and stillness. Designed for both adults and children who were off during the Easter break, it offered a peaceful opportunity to pause and contemplate Jesus’ journey to the cross, before the busyness of the Easter weekend’s services.
“It was a gentle and meaningful way to enter into the heart of Holy Week, and we’re grateful to all who came, prayed, and prepared their hearts for the celebration of Easter and Jesus’ resurrection.”
Andover Parishes
St Mary’s Andover hosted a parish-wide bring and share evening as they remembered Jesus final meal with his disciples.
This then led into the Maundy Service with foot washing, symbolising Christ’s loving humble act at the Last Supper.
Natalie Wyatt, Creative and Online Pastor said, “The Maundy Meal was very special to our parish, as with four churches within our boundaries, the chance to break bread and eat together is always a very special opportunity. Everyone who came brought something to share and enjoyed time around tables as we paused throughout the evening to read stories of our faith. Later in the evening we had foot-washing and remembered the humility of our Saviour who knelt down and washed our feet.”
St John the Baptist, North Baddesley
It was about a decade ago when the village of North Baddesley last held a Good Friday ‘Walk of Witness’. Up until then it used to be an annual event which gathered the churches in the village together for a public display of Christian witness.
A member of the Baptist Church who attended the Lent Course ‘Living Hope’ at All Saints Church, North Baddesley, suggested that the tradition should be revived this year. With the help and support from the Roman Catholic Church, the Baptist Church and the Community Life Church, the Good Friday ‘Walk of Witness’ became a reality and was held again this year.
Each church was visited and the key points of the original Good Friday, were played out in readings, prayers and solemn hymns, interspersed with a physical walk in between.
The walk finished outside in the village precinct for more reading and hymns after which there was a sharing of coffee and hot cross buns. Around 50 people joined together for all or part of the event.
One of the walkers said, “It was a wonderful opportunity to join with fellow Christians from across the village. Sharing in worship, reflection, and hot cross buns, with the local community, made it a powerful act of unity and faith.”
Benefice of Farleigh and the Candovers with Wield
The benefice has been holding a Good Friday Walk of Witness for over 35 years, carrying a cross on an 11 mile walk between the five churches of the southern end of the benefice.
It is led by Julian Gibbons as a BCM worship leader. He said “We follow the story of the Passion as we read John’s Gospel account, sing a hymn and read prayers at each church as we progress. We started at St James’ in Wield, walking to All Saints in Bradley then to St Mary’s in Preston Candover followed by lunch at The Yard in Chilton Candover. Then it’s onto St Peter’s in Brown Candover and finishing our journey’s end with the reading of the Crucifixion at St John’s in Northington. We were blessed with good weather.”
He continued, “It’s important for all us to actually bear witness to the events of Good Friday, walking the cross along the roads and footpaths of our parishes. Reminding everyone who sees us, what the true meaning of Easter is.”
Sholing Parish
Around 100 children and their parents joined an Easter trail organised by Sholing Parish. The free event also included Easter crafts and refreshments.
Revd Garry Roberts writes, “Here in Sholing we are working on a pioneering project to plant a new worshipping community on the Veracity Recreation Ground in an old disused pavilion. On Saturday we hosted an Easter Trail where people had to spot 12 wooden eggs around the rec to spell out a well-known Easter phrase. When done, they swapped their correct answer with the Easter Bunny for a Chocolate Egg. St Mary’s Church supplied Hot Cross Buns and Peartree Church supplied Messy Easter crafts.”
The church also took part in a sunrise service on Weston Shore on Easter day with Holy Trinity Weston, Hope City Weston and Sholing Salvation Army. Over 75 people attended as well as local cyclists and dog walkers. Holy Trinity Weston later provided bacon rolls, pastries and coffee.
Revd Garry added, “A great start to Easter Day as we gathered as a team huddle, before returning to our separate communities of Southampton to proclaim the hope we have in Jesus’ resurrection.”
St Andrew’s Church, Chilcomb
Nestled in the South Downs, with views over Winchester, St Andrew’s Church in Chilcomb was the beautiful setting for a vigil on Easter Saturday night.
It was the first time the church had held the event for parishioners in the East Winchester benefice.
The outside service included three readings and times of prayer, giving those present a chance to reflect in the space between the sadness of Good Friday and joy of Easter Sunday and to pray amidst the beauty of God’s creation.
People found quiet places within the churchyard to pray for the environment, for places in conflict, those lonely and in need, and for our world and nation and the city.
Revd Chris Curry said, “There’s something about the space of the waiting that is really important, and it is in that space where we find and see God, not in his absence but in his very presence. That’s what I love about Chilcomb, that you just sense the presence of God in a place where prayers have been happening for nearly a thousand years, in a place where you look out and see the beautiful countryside and the sense of God’s presence at work in nature. There is just a tangible sense of God here, and so even in the quiet absence of Holy Saturday we know that God is with us and God is for us and that really drives us to prayer. I think what’s important about the vigil is that we give people time and space to pray in whichever way works best for them, so that’s why I wanted to do it here and like this today.”
The service ended with the lighting of the Easter candle as the sun went down.
Sunrise Services
Many churches across the diocese gathered early on Sunday morning to welcome the risen Lord. Among them was a gathering at Hamble Country Park. For several years Bursledon Benefice has put together the outdoor ‘Sonrise’ service at Hamble Country Park. More recently, other local churches from Eastleigh Deanery have been invited to join in. This year, Bursledon Benefice, St James’ West End, St. Luke’s Hedge End and St. John’s Hedge End all taking part. Revd Linda Galvin lead the service, Revd Clive Beard Presiding, Revd Ben Jones leading sung worship, Revd John Pawson leading prayers and Revd Phil Aindow gave a short talk.
In the New Forest, around 30 people from the Parish of Lyndhurst, and Emery Down, and Minstead gathered just before sunrise for a communion service at Bolton’s Bench in Lyndhurst.
St Mary’s Kings Worthy
Easter Sunday at St Mary’s in Kings Worthy was a joyful and emotional service as they celebrated Jesus’s resurrection and witnessed three baptisms by full immersion.
Roger and his eldest son Ethan were baptised together. Roger spoke powerfully of his journey to faith and of the warm welcome St Mary’s had given him and his family since they first came along earlier this year.
There was also a renewal of baptism vows by Glenn, who wanted to re-affirm his faith. Glenn’s testimony of what this meant to him, and the strength of his connection to St Mary’s, was full of emotion.
The congregation, including many of Roger, Ethan and Glenn’s family and friends, joyfully celebrated their baptisms through worship and songs and later shared communion together.
In his testimony Roger said, “While we are new to the church, for me, this baptism has been a long time coming and is the culmination of 20 years of study and worship. For Ethan, this is truly his first step on his walk with Jesus. We are so proud of him for making the decision to embrace a life with Christ, and we are so grateful for the protection he will receive as a result.
“I have had many struggles on my walk with Jesus and even after I came to Christ, life did not miraculously change, because I continued to live a worldly and not a godly existence for many years. But the truth is that we have all struggled on our respective walks, and we have all suffered. And yet as we gather here today in celebration, to remember Jesus’ sacrifice on this beautiful Easter Sunday, I am sure we can all agree that nobody suffered more, and deserved it less, than Christ, our Saviour. He overcame death and granted us the greatest gift of all: freedom from condemnation, triumph over death, and eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Itchen Valley Parish
Itchen Valley Parish held ‘The Way of the Cross’ this Easter, an amazing outreach event so much part of the tradition of the Itchen Valley, with on average 150 people watching (and taking part in the crowd scenes).
The event takes place along the whole of Church Lane in Martyr Worthy with a lot of different gardens being used for specific scenes. The spectators follow the actors, singing hymns and taking part during some scenes as members of the crowd – for example, when Pilate asks what should be done with Jesus. The crowd line the route to the crucifixion which takes place in St Swithun’s Church, and this is where the whole mood of the event changes from a very lively situation to an incredibly sombre and moving occasion as Jesus is crucified. After the crucifixion the congregation leave in silence to go to the Village Hall for warming cups of coffee, hot cross buns and a chance to catch up with neighbours and friends.
Around 35 adults and children took part in the acting itself, and it was wonderful to have all of the different generations throwing themselves into it! The oldest people who took part were in their 80s, while and the youngest was 3. Some people have played the same role for over 20 years, whilst some have risen up through the ranks to play different roles! New people are always invited and encouraged to take part each year – it is a wonderful experience to be part of and to witness.
Those who attended also enjoyed being led by a donkey as they sang and processed into St Mary’s Church, Easton, on Palm Sunday.
