Wednesday 26 March 2025

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Thank you to those who attended our Annual General Meeting last Sunday. It was encouraging to review the past year and look ahead to the coming year. Please do continue to pray for our Council members, for Sue, our Treasurer and for Pieter and Richard, our Church Wardens. Please pray especially for Richard as he takes up this new responsibility. I am very thankful to all those who serve in so many different ways in our church.

As we continue in this season of Lent, I encourage you to join us for Morning Prayer online, Monday -Thursday, 8.30am. Use this Zoom link.

Prayers for Healing, 30th March
This coming Sunday, Mothering Sunday, we will be offering prayers for hope and healing. We will do this in two different ways:
There will be opportunity to receive anointing with oil and prayer for healing during the service. The inspiration for this anointing with oil and laying on of hands comes from James 5:14-16 and this practice has been used in many churches down the centuries and still today.
For those who prefer, there will also be the opportunity for more informal prayer for healing after the service. There will be 2 teams (each with 2 people) available in church during coffee time for anyone who would like this prayer.

Looking Ahead to our Holy Week and Easter Services...

The period from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday is called Holy Week and during this week we follow the events from Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, his betrayal and false trial, his torture and death on the cross, to his glorious resurrection. Please do come along to as many of these services as you can. This helps us to enter more deeply into all that Christ has done for us.

Palm Sunday, Sunday 13th April
We meet at the entrance to the Dählhölzli (near the recycling bins) at 9.50am for the blessing of the palms, and then we process to church singing, remembering the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. The rest of the service continues in church as we listen to the long Passion Gospel and reflect on Jesus' betrayal, false trial and death.

Chrism Eucharist, Monday 14th April, 11.30am
During this service Anglican Chaplains of Switzerland will gather at St Ursula's to renew their ordination vows. The service also includes the blessing of the oils used in baptism, confirmation and for healing. The service will be led by our new Suffragan Bishop, Andrew Norman. You are welcome to attend the service, but please do let me know if you would like to come as soon as possible (and latest by 6th April).

Maundy Thursday, 17th April, 6.30pm
Do join us for this special Eucharist as we remember the Last Supper and Jesus washing his disciples' feet. At the end of the service the altar is stripped and we listen to the Gospel of the Watch. You are invited to stay and pray in silence.

Good Friday, 18th April
There are two services this day:
Family Service, 10am: A short service of readings, hymns, reflection and prayer for people of all ages.
Liturgy of the Cross, 2pm: A service of readings, hymns, canticles, reflection and silence, focused on the cross.

Easter Sunday, 20th April, 10am
Do join us for the joyful celebration that Christ is Risen! The last few years we have had a packed church for Easter Sunday. Do bring your friends and neighbours.

I conclude with Charles de Foucauld's wonderful prayer, the Prayer of Abandonment

Father,
I abandon myself into your hands;
do with me what you will.
Whatever you may do
I thank you.
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only your will be done in me,
and in all your creatures.
I wish no more than this, O Lord.
Into your hands I commend my soul,
I offer it to you
with all the love of my heart,
for I love you, Lord,
and so need to give myself,
to surrender myself into your hands,
without reserve,
and with boundless confidence,
for you are my Father.
Amen

With love in Christ,
Helen