Thursday 21 March 2024

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

This Sunday is Palm Sunday which marks the beginning of Holy Week, the central week of the church year. I hope that you will be able to take the time to reflect on Jesus' suffering, death and resurrection during this week, and that you will be able to attend the various services as outlined below:

Palm Sunday
We meet at 9.55am at the entrance to the Dählhölzli, by the recycling bins. After a reading, prayer and the blessing of the Palm Crosses, we process to the church, singing, for the rest of the service. (NB please note that children need to be taken straight to JC after the procession rather than coming into church).

Chrism Service for the Archdeaconry
On Wednesday 27th March, 11am, there is a special service at St Ursula's for the Anglican chaplains across Switzerland. We will be renewing our ordination vows with Bishop Michael Langrish (one of the honorary Bishops of the Diocese).
Members of the congregation are welcome to attend, but please let me know if you are coming.

Maundy Thursday (28th March)
We remember the Last Supper Jesus shared with this friends before his death. There will be a Eucharist, 6.30pm, which will include the footwashing.
After the service there will be a time of silent prayer for those who can stay.

Good Friday (29th March)
There are two services to mark this important day:

• Family Service, 10 am: a short service for adults and children to reflect on Jesus' death
• Liturgy of the Cross: a service of readings, hymns, canticles, prayers and silence as we reflect on the cross

Morning Prayer Every Day
During this Holy Week, we will continue to meet 8am, online, for Morning Prayer. For this next week, this will include Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Even if you have not been able to join us before now, you are very welcome.
If you do not yet have the Zoom link for Morning Prayer, then ask me.

Easter Sunday (31st March)
Come and join us for our joyful celebration of Jesus' resurrection. This is such an important day in the life of the church. I urge everyone to attend.
Let's have a really full church as we rejoice together in our Risen Lord.
After the service there will be an Easter egg hunt for the children.

A Poem
This coming Sunday we remember Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, and how the crowd shouting 'hosanna' soon became the crowd shouting 'crucify him.' The poem below challenges us to reflect on our own attitudes and resistance to Jesus.

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