Wednesday 13 April 2022

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

I hope that you will be able to join us for some of the services this Holy Week:

Maundy Thursday Eucharist, 14th April, 6.30pm: we remember the Last Supper and Jesus washing his disciples' feet. After the service, there is an opportunity for further silent prayer for those who wish to stay.

Good Friday, 15th April, Family Service, 10am: a short simple service suitable for families and small children.

Good Friday Liturgy of the Cross, 2pm: a meditative service of readings, hymns and prayers reflecting on the cross.

Easter Sunday Eucharist, 10am: we celebrate that Christ is risen! Families and children are welcome and there will be Junior Church and crèche, with an Easter Egg Hunt in the garden after the service.

Online Provision
If you can't join us in person, you will be able to find the text of all these services online here: Service Resources at St Ursula's Church, Berne. There will also be an audio recording of the sermons taken during the services and put on the website afterwards here.

Wednesday Prayers for Peace: Diocesan Online Service
The final of these short 30 minute online services praying for peace in Ukraine will be TONIGHT, April 13th, 6pm. This is organised by the Diocese in Europe.

Hosting Ukrainian Refugees
I know that some members of the congregation have registered to host refugees if that is needed. If anyone else is interested in doing this, you can find out more details here.

Special Day on Ministry with Children and Young People, 7th May
The Anglican churches in Switzerland are holding a day to think about ministry with children and young people, hosted at ST URSULA'S. The speaker will be Mary Hawes, Children and Youth Adviser for the Church of England. The day will run from 10.30 - 15.30 on Saturday 7th May. Everyone is welcome. To register please email Elizabeth Bussmann: bemdeo@gmail.com by 30th April. I attach a flyer for this day.

Coffee
Many of us have missed having coffee together after the Sunday service. Council has decided to re-introduce this again outside some time after Easter. However, we are very short of volunteers to do this. So if you appreciate having coffee after the service, please consider joining the team of volunteers to organise it. If you would like to do this, please email the office and give your name.

Chaplain's Holidays
After Easter, David and I will be away in the UK to see family, returning on 3rd May. I am grateful to Revd Elizabeth Bussmann who will be taking the services at St Ursula's on 24th April, and 1st May. Please do make her very welcome.

I end with a poem for Maundy Thursday, which reflects on the last supper and Jesus kneeling to wash his disciples' feet.

Maundy Thursday

Here is the source of every sacrament,
The all-transforming presence of the Lord,
Replenishing our every element,
Remaking us in his creative Word.
For here the earth herself gives bread and wine,
The air delights to bear his Spirit's speech,
The fire dances where the candles shine,
The waters cleanse us with his gentle touch.
And here he shows the full extent of love
To us whose love is always incomplete,
In vain we search the heavens high above,
The God of love is kneeling at our feet.
Though we betray him, though it is the night,
He meets us here and loves us into light.
(Malcolm Guite)

I pray for God's blessing on you all this Eastertide. May you know the grace and joy of Christ, Crucified and Risen.

With love in Christ,
Helen