Epiphany, which takes place on 6 January, is when we remember the visit of the Magi to the Christ child, celebrating the ‘manifestation’ of Christ to the Gentiles. This year, the diocesan Education team created a number of ‘chalking the door’ resources for use in schools and churches, as well as some special prayers and blessings for Epiphany.
Bishop Philip, and our three Archdeacons, Jean, Gary and Richard, along with Canon Roly Reim from Winchester Cathedral, all paid visits to schools across the diocese to join in their Epiphany celebrations.
St Mary’s Church of England Junior School, Old Basing
Bishop Philip thoroughly enjoyed his visit to St Mary’s School where he led an assembly and chalked the main front door of the school and several of the classroom doors as a sign of God’s blessing, and explained all about the significance of the letters and numerals in Christian liturgy (20+C+M+B+24) which represent the names of the three magi: Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar. They also abbreviate the Latin words Christus Mansionem Benedicat, “May Christ bless this house”. The + signs represent the cross and the 20 and 24 the year.
Burton Church of England Primary School
The Chalking the Doors at Burton CofE Primary, on the edge of Christchurch, was enhanced by a welcome to the new Vicar, the Revd Kathy Hicken, on her first day in the Parish. The Spirituality Champions wrote wonderful prayers to welcome her, and Canon Gary, Assistant Archdeacon, led the singing of ‘Angels came, Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo’, to the tune of ‘Baby Shark’!
Binsted Church of England Primary School
The Archdeacon of Winchester, Richard Brand, visited Binsted CE Primary School to talk to the children about Epiphany – remembering the visit of the wise men’s long journey from far off lands which symbolise the ‘epiphany’ moment for all mankind – the difference that Jesus’ birth makes for those near and far. The three magi are often depicted with various ethnicities and differing ages to represent that Jesus came for all.
Richard said a prayer of blessing for the school and Epiphany markings were made around the doorway to symbolise God’s blessing on the building and all who enter it. The classes then went around the school, marking the other external doorways themselves. After marking doors in the school, each child was given a piece of chalk in case they would like to do something similar at home.
The Epiphany School
Epiphany is dear to the hearts of those at The Epiphany School as it is their namesake! Those at the school also felt it was wonderful to have Archdeacon Jean Burgess lead the celebrations. The children created chalkings, which were placed over doors across the school. In Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, children paid homage to the three kings by making crowns which they wore with pride.
Archdeacon Jean was interviewed by a number of Year 5 children, who were very excited to ask her their questions (and were also very impressed with Archdeacon Jean’s sparkly star earrings!). Lilly asked the first question: ‘What does Epiphany personally mean to you?’ Other questions included:
- What is your favourite part of being an Archdeacon and what makes it special?
- What is it like to be such an influential Christian?
- Having studied the birth of Jesus at Christmas and do you believe it was true?
- What do you think is the most important message that Epiphany is sharing with us all?
It was a joyous occasion and one that the school most definitely will continue as an Epiphany tradition. Sincere thanks goes to everyone at the diocese, particularly Richard and Jean, for making the children of Epiphany enjoy a very special ‘Epiphany’, which will be our worship focus for the next month.
Vanessa Webster
Headteacher
St Bede Church of England Primary School
St Bede CE Primary School also spent their worship time thinking about how the Christian Christmas story moves beyond the birth of Jesus to the arrival of the Magi. Canon Roly Riem, from Winchester Cathedral, joined St Bede pupils for their worship, and then visited each class to talk with them about their learning, about the door sign they had made and to share a blessing for the year ahead.
It was lovely having Roly join us yesterday – the resources from the diocese were really useful, we talked about chalking the door yesterday and used the class resources about gifts today. The children were absolutely amazed to learn what wasn’t actually mentioned directly in the Bible when we so frequently refer to three kings and their camels! They also seemed quite amused by my tale of an inappropriate gift of learning to drive on a skid pan shortly after my husband had managed to spin his car while driving onto a motorway in wet weather- unsurprisingly perhaps the gift was for two people, and you can probably guess who the second person was!
Sarah Duck
Headteacher
