Read on for the latest column from Hitchin's St Mary's Church with A Churchwarden Writes

A Churchwarden Writes….A full day of music for Ukraine starts the weekend off at St Mary's, and a Palm Sunday procession marks the beginning of the most important week of the Church year as we countdown to Easter Day.

Rev Chris Bunce's Easter message

On Sunday we begin the most important week of the Church's year, Holy Week!

Details of all our services listed here

On Sunday, Palm Sunday, we begin Holy week with a procession at 10am from the Market Place back to Church, led by the St Mary's choir carrying palm leaves.

This recalls Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on a donkey and the desperation of the crowds for deliverance from a cruel and unjust regime. 'Hosanna!, save us!' They shouted.

Throughout Holy Week, we are invited to share in Christ's own journey, from the triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to the desolation of Good Friday and Holy Saturday and finally the joyful celebrations of Easter Sunday.

Hopefully, amidst the busy-ness of your lives and the Bank Holiday weekend, you will find some time to reflect on the enormity of this week, which stands at the centre of our Christian faith.

I hope you can make some time next week, to stop and reflect, at home or at our special services for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, as we recall the journey to the cross.

On Friday at 11am stand together with Christians across the town and at the foot of the cross, with Churches Together in Hitchin's Good Friday service in the market square at 11am, which will not be preceded by a Walk of Witness this year.

It is 'Good' Friday, derived from an Old English word which means 'Holy' Friday. The atmosphere is solemn rather than joyful.

But it is also 'good' in the way that we regularly use the word, because when seen backwards from Easter Sunday, it is the gateway to life and hope.

Wishing you a very Blessed Holy Week,

Chris

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* St Mary's has been hosting a fund-raising concert for Ukraine on Saturday. All donations received are being routed via the Disasters Emergency Committee. Up to April 3 the church has received and sent to the DEC cash and cheques to the value of £3810.24. Those who cannot donate in Church can do so via a QR code or by this link https://givealittle.co/campaigns/7611d290-b946- 4c9b-bd99-6dcc6e6f88bb Details are on our website https://www.stmaryshitchin.co.uk/ Further updated details of our services, opening times and events are found on our public Facebook page @StMarysChurchHitchin .

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