Wednesday 29 March 2023

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This evening is the last of our Lent course sessions, Praying with the English Mystics, 7.00- 8.15pm, via Zoom. We will be looking at Julian of Norwich. I sent out the Zoom link and a handout yesterday. Please have the handout with you for the session. Everyone is welcome.

Night Prayer (Compline) via Zoom. During Passiontide, we are holding this short, reflective service (about 15 minutes) every evening, 9pm. In this service we offer to God the past day, meditate on short Bible readings, and pray for those in need. It is a very good way to end the day. Do come and join us. Ask me for the Zoom link.

Professor John Wyatt: Lecture on AI and Robotics
Many of you will remember Professor Wyatt's visit to St Ursula's last September. He preached an excellent sermon and led a very stimulating discussion. Professor Wyatt is Professor of Ethics and Perinatology from University College, London. He is giving an online lecture 18:00, Monday 3rd April, entitled: AI and Robotics: Friends or Foes in Medicine and Human Health? The event is free but you need to register and get an e-ticket. See this link for further information and how to register.
If you want to know more, please ask Jorum Kirundi who is organising the event.

HOLY WEEK
This coming week, beginning on Sunday, we remember Jesus' passion, death and resurrection - events right at the centre of our faith. Do try to come along to as much as you can during this week, as this will help you to enter more fully into the story, and strengthen you as you seek to follow our Crucified and Risen Lord.

Palm Sunday, 2nd April
We begin our service on Sunday at 10am at the entrance to the Dählhölzli (by the recycling bins). The opening part of our service will take place here and then we process to church singing and waving our palm crosses. When we get to church, any children should be taken straight to JC and crèche. The service continues with the long Passion Gospel, and opportunity to reflect on the events of this Holy Week.

Maundy Thursday, 6th April, 6.30pm
On this special evening, we remember the Last Supper Jesus shared with his disciples. We will meet at 6.30pm in the Upper Hall for a Bring and Share Meal.
This meal will be incorporated into a service of Holy Communion, in a similar way as has been done in the past at St Ursula's, some years ago. Please bring some food to share! The service also includes the footwashing for anyone who would like to have their foot washed. At the end of the Eucharist, we move into the church, where the altar will be stripped while Psalm 88 is read. This reminds us of Jesus being stripped and scourged before his execution, and leaves the church bare in preparation for Good Friday. Finally we hear the Gospel of the Watch, telling us of Jesus' agonised prayer in Gethsemane and the desertion of all his friends. We are invited to stay in silent prayer in church for a while, and then leave in silence.

Good Friday, 7th April
There are two services on Good Friday:
Family Service, 10am: This is a very short service especially designed for children.
Liturgy of the Cross, 2pm: A reflective service with a dramatised reading of the Passion Gospel, canticles, hymns and silence.

Easter Sunday, 9th April
On Easter Sunday, we celebrate Jesus' resurrection with an All Age Eucharist. Do come and join us for this joyful celebration. The service will be followed by an Easter Egg hunt.

As we approach this Holy Week, I leave you with a poem reflecting on Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday

Now to the gate of my Jerusalem,
The seething holy city of my heart,
The Saviour comes. But will I welcome him?
Oh crowds of easy feelings make a start;
They raise their hands, get caught up in the singing,
And think the battle won. Too soon they'll find
The challenge, the reversal he is bringing
Changes their tune. I know what lies behind
The surface flourish that so quickly fades;
Self-interest, and fearful guardedness,
The hardness of the heart, its barricades,
And at the core, the dreadful emptiness
Of a perverted temple. Jesus, come
Break my resistance and make me your home.
(Malcolm Guite)

With love in Christ,
Helen