Wednesday 2 April 2025

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I hope that you have been enjoying the sunny weather and the signs of Spring all around us.

It has been good to have some of you joining us during Lent for Morning Prayer online, Monday - Thursday, 8.30am. If you have not yet done so, it is not too late! Or perhaps you might want to join us for Passiontide which starts this Sunday? The zoom link is here.

Passion Sunday, 6th April
This coming Sunday is Passion Sunday which marks the beginning of Passiontide, as we prepare to reflect on Jesus' suffering and self-giving love and his death on the cross.

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 Sunday 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.

The gospel this coming Sunday tells the story of Mary of Bethany's anointing of Jesus' feet. It is a very beautiful scene powerfully expressed in Malcolm Guite's poem below:

The Anointing at Bethany
Come close with Mary, Martha, Lazarus,
So close the candles flare with their soft breath,
And kindle heart and soul to flame within us,
Lit by these mysteries of life and death.
For beauty now begins the final movement,
In quietness and intimate encounter,
The alabaster jar of precious ointment
Is broken open for the world's true lover.
The whole room richly fills to feast the senses
With all the yearning such a fragrance brings,
The heart is mourning but the spirit dances,
Here at the very centre of all things,
Here at the meeting place of love and loss
We all foresee and see beyond the cross.

With love in Christ,
Helen