There will be a special Good Friday service at the Cross featuring readings and musical items taken from Stainer’s Crucifixion and Maunder’s Olivet to Calvary (which have usually been performed on this day for many years now). We cannot unfortunately yet have a full choir singing at this times, but are able to have 3 soloists singing the musical items telling the story.
PLEASE NOTE! The usual social distancing and hygiene measures will be in place including the wearing of face coverings. We will also need to ensure that we do not exceed the now reduced seating capacity to ensure appropriate distancing can be maintained. Should turnout be high, we may need to ask people to return home and watch join via YouTube to ensure everyone’s safety (though we hope this is not the case).
Some of the 65 bags nearly ready to go out to all our #Meltham Foodbank clients from Wednesday. Thanks to all who provided a heart to go in the bags with the Real Love message. Easter eggs, heart and card for every family.
The Hearts are a reminder that at this time, we remember the Easter story – that God’s love is so amazing. He came to earth in Jesus, loved and lived among us. He understands what life is like. On Good Friday, Jesus died for our sins.
Rev’d John is using these these Daily reflections for Holy Week at the morning meditations. Written by Susanna Gunner in 2020 but still all too pertinent in 2021.
A painting, a short reflection and a prayer are offered to make connections between aspects of our Holy Week and Easter Week journey and the global pandemic which, this year, is inescapably our context for that journey. Please share them with others and perhaps print out for a friend or neighbour who is not online.
The residents and staff at Greenacres, Helme Hall and Stable Court have received the hearts, made by Christians in Meltham. These Hearts are firstly a gift from Christians in Meltham to say thanks to the Staff in our care homes, the unsung heroes, key workers who have faced huge challenges and yet who have quietly got on with caring for the very vulnerable – and carrying out many more unsung tasks. The hearts are to remind them that they are not forgotten. We want them to know that they are valued and appreciated.
The residents in our local homes, have been missing out on the most human interactions, unable to hug or be hugged, many isolated from their families and those who love them. The hearts are to remind them that they are not forgotten.
Secondly the Hearts are a reminder that at this time, we remember the Easter story – that God’s love is so amazing, loving us without limits.
Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest! It’s Palm Sunday! Join us in church or online as we celebrate Jesus arriving in Jerusalem on a donkey before turning our attentions to the journey through Holy Week leading up to Good Friday.
9:30am – Morning Prayer from St Bartholomew’s – Meltham (via YouTube) https://youtu.be/V6nhOtMCeeA – Unfortunately, due to technical issues, this service is not available online.
Happy Easter! Welcome to the April edition of the #Meltham Parish magazine. This month it is full of the joys of Easter! Read about the Real Love project and the giving away of hearts and finding pebbles throughout this edition. Also find out more about the new additions to the Crossroads team or how Jill has been keeping busy during lockdown.
Christians in #Meltham have been busy making hearts – 1000 of them! The task brought out hidden talents and developed a real sense of joy and fellowship. Church members have delivered the first batch of Easter Hearts to the three schools in Meltham with this message:
Covid-19 has touched communities all over the world. There has been heart-breaking loss of life and disruption to every sphere of life. We have also experienced the very best: the courage and sacrifice of NHS and social care workers, the emergency services, and key workers; the hard work of teachers preparing lessons online and teaching children who have had to come into school; the pressure on parents to home school and find ways to care for their children, the friendships children have had to put on hold as they have been unable to leave their homes.
These Hearts are firstly a gift from Christians in Meltham to say thanks to the Teachers for battling with remote learning, teaching in bubbles caring for children of key workers and many more unsung tasks. To parents, carers, and children who have done their best in such a challenging situation. They recognise the love of all involved. We want you to know that you are valued and appreciated.
Secondly the Hearts are a reminder that at this time, we remember the Easter story – that God’s love is so amazing. He came to earth in Jesus, loved and lived among us. He understands what life is like. On Good Friday, Jesus died for our sins. Past mistakes, decisions and failures can be put right.
There’s hope! The message of Easter is that death is not the end. There are new beginnings. In these challenging times, we are not alone. We love because Jesus first loved us.
The Hearts remind us of real love. What are you to do with the Hearts?
The Hearts in the cellophane bags are for the children to take home to give to their parents or Carers simply to say “Thank You! for caring – you are special ”
The Hearts in the organza bags are to staff recognising all that has been done to say “Thank You! for caring – you are special”
