Chrism Eucharist



46 The FortRochesterKent ME1 2FERevsuebrewer@ 01634 92383631 March 2021Dear Friends(This greeting may be a little early, if you are reading this on Thursday or Good Friday – but the sentiment is sincere) Extracts from an Easter Message from Bishop James - April 2021‘From closed doors to open doors, from the stone across the tomb, to the stone rolled away.’Sitting in the garden at Bishopscourt, with the sun shining, with daffodils out in the garden, with the birds singing, it is almost possible to forget everything that has been going on… But here we are now and though there are still many challenges and the future is uncertain, we dare to begin to look forward to a different kind of future.Somehow, there is something very appropriate about that being at Eastertime. We are moving from a day of being, as it were locked away, to a day when things may open-up. The stone was rolled in front of the tomb and sealed and then on Easter day, the stone is rolled back.The imagery of these days has not been particularly good has it? Things closed, church buildings closed in many cases, though some have valiantly worked to keep them open at least to some extent. And of course, other places of gathering closed as well: museums, art galleries, theatres, concert halls, football grounds. It has seemed weird. Doors have been closed in so many ways and we have been shut away.At our Easter, doors are opened, the stone is rolled away. Easter, yes, it is an end - and this year it is an ending of what has seemed like a 12-month Lent to some people - but Easter is a beginning as well.So, the question arises for us, what is it into which we are going to be moving?Yes of course, renewed life of worship and of prayer, but also a new life of gathering together, whether in our congregations or with family and friends. That renewing of relationship where we have been literally separated from one another, cut off from one another, and once again pray God, at the right time, we will be able both physically and literally to embrace one another again.But also, because of some of the things that we have been experiencing through these days, we have become aware of where we would like the future world to be different.Maybe some of our patterns of working life will be different. We will be able to live more balanced ways of life. We will not be cramming quite so many people into trains to commute up down to London and spend days in offices with thousands of other people. There may be different patterns, more human patterns, frankly.Also, what about the world in which we live? We have become aware of patterns of injustice during this time. We pray that this new world might have ways in which we address that, where we look at issues of justice and fairness and equity in our society and make changes.We have become aware of terrible things like domestic violence during these days; pray God we work in relation to that. And of course, this has been a global pandemic which spread rapidly across the whole world largely because of the kind of world we live in with rapid communication and all of that.Are there things we would wish to have different in our world as we care for God's creation in new ways and try to live more balanced lives as those who are the custodians the stewards of that which God has entrusted to us?This is coming I think for us, at an appropriate moment this Easter, as we begin to look forward. As we think about the new life and what that might hold. As we move from closed doors to open doors, the stone across the tomb to the stone rolled away.Pray God that in this season, we may find both God's blessing in the presence of the risen Christ with us, coming with us through all that we have been through and into these new days.Pray God also that the new life of Christ may inspire us to live and work in new ways, that the world which we now shape will be one?which truly reflects the resurrection life of Jesus Christ.May God bless you all this Eastertide.?Services during Holy Week and for EasterStill time to come along to our Holy Week services…3pm Maundy Thursday (1st April) – a Service of Holy Communion as we remember Jesus’ last supper with his friends, when he washed the feet of his friends and also initiated the sharing of bread and wine in remembrance of his sacrifice.3pm Good Friday (2nd April) – A service of prayer, readings and music as we explore the meaning of Christ’s death on the cross. 10.30am Easter Day (4th April) – Celebration Holy Communion – and easter eggs! 25406357429500Chrism Eucharist to be livestreamedThe Chrism Eucharist will be livestreamed on both the Cathedral and Diocesan Facebook pages and on the Cathedral website on Thursday 1 April, at 11am.The Chrism service is an opportunity for clergy and lay ministers to renew their ministerial commitments, as well as a chance for us all to pray for the renewal of the people of God. All are welcome to participate.Online Easter VigilOn Holy Saturday at 5pm, the Rochester Diocese are invited?to gather virtually outside the cold, stone tomb of Jesus, as we share?an online Easter Vigil.In this pre-recorded service of readings, reflections, music and meditation, join others from across the Diocese, as we sit,?wait and watch?for the coming of the risen Christ.The service will be premiered on the Diocesan Facebook?page at 5pm, as will also be?available on the Diocesan websiteReflecting on CoronavirusAs a way of remembering and reflecting on all that we have lost this last year, everyone is invited to tie a ribbon on the railings around Rochester Cathedral. The ribbons will remain in place through the Easter Season, until 23rd May – Pentecost Sunday, and will make a rainbow of hope in the centre of the city.Announcement of future plans for St MatthewsMany will have been wondering what the future holds for St Matthews after my retirement next week. I am delighted to say that the following announcement was made in St Matthews and at St Peters and St Margaret’s, last Sunday:‘In addition to his existing role as vicar of St Peter and St Margaret, Rochester, it has been agreed by Bishop James and the PCC of Borstal St Matthew that Revd Joel Love will also be licensed as priest in charge of the parish of Borstal St Matthew. Joel is well known to members of the congregation through the Rochester Cluster of Churches and has preached and presided many times at St Matthew's. He looks forward to working closely with the PCC and congregation to maintain and grow your worship, presence, and service in the local community here in Borstal. More details will be announced regarding Joel's licensing in due course.’St Matthews will continue to be an independent Parish with it’s own autonomous Church Council, and worship will continue in the church building as before. Do talk to Alison or Helen, your Churchwardens , if you would like further details. Church Annual MeetingThe Church Annual Meeting will take place ‘in person’ on Sunday 25th April, after the 10.30am service. It will be chaired by the Area Dean, Revd Helen Burn. Anyone is welcome to attend the Annual Meeting, and anyone on the church electoral roll is permitted to vote. If you are a regular member at St Matthews and are not yet on the electoral roll which is the list of voting members, now would be the time to join. Electoral roll forms will be available in church for the next two Sundays, and can also be obtained by contacting me or the Churchwardens. If you would like to stand at the Annual Meeting to join the Parochial Church Council, or to be a Churchwarden, application forms are also available for those posts. The Wellbeing JourneyAfter Easter St Justus (another Church in our Cluster) will running a new course called the Wellbeing journey.?Their vicar, Helen Burn writes: 'many people assume that Christian faith is a kind of niche interest, like being an Arsenal fan or being into beekeeping: nice for you if you like that sort of thing, but not relevant in helping most people deal with the pressures they face in life. Church is fine for people who enjoy being part of a religious club with doctrines and rituals, but Jesus? What has he got to do with living life to the full and being truly who we are created to be?The Wellbeing Journey is a brilliant antidote to that kind of misunderstanding. The course explores different dimensions of wellbeing through a Christian lens, affirming how God wants us to flourish by taking care of our physical, emotional, relational and spiritual wellbeing. We are integrated human beings so every dimension matters.?We know that lockdown has taken its toll on our wellbeing in many ways, and Christians are no exception. What we do have is the potential to tap into sources of healing and power which God offers freely to all who are thirsty for meaning, purpose, and a more whole and generous life. So please come along and better still, invite someone to come with you. All the Cluster Churches are invited to share in the church, and Karen Barrett will be helping to facilitate one of the groups. It promises to be a very good course for those who have access to zoom. This journey will take place on Zoom each Wednesday, starting April 21st, from 7-8pm.You can book via St Justus Facebook page, stjustusrochester , or have a word with Karen Barrett if you need more information. Finally – well done everybody!A big THANK YOU from Medway Foodbank to St Matthew's Borstal.During 2020 you collected 55.6kg - and your donations make a big difference to local people in crisis. ?See pages below for church services and readings over the next couple of weeks. Take care and stay safeSue BrewerUseful links:The Church of England Resources Cathedral Resources Diocese of Rochester Resources St Matthew’s website Collect for Easter DayGod of glory,by the raising of your Sonyou have broken the chains of death and hell:fill your church with faith and hope;for a new day has dawnedand the way to life stands openin our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen Church services – 4th April 2021 - Easter DaySt Matthews is now open for ‘in person’ worship. 10.30am each Sunday morning.If you prefer to worship online or on the mainstream media… The Church of England offers a range of online resources every week on their website: Rochester Cathedral online worship page: The Cathedral is currently streaming 5.30pm Thursdays – Choral Evensong11am – Holy CommunionSt Justus live stream: St Peter’s and St Margaret’s live stream a service at 10.30am on zoom: (Meeting ID: 838 6773 3527 and Passcode: 848226)YouTube?channel:??… and for those who don’t have internet access…The Church of England phone line – completely FREE OF CHARGE – ‘Daily Hope’. 0800 804 8044Tv and Radio religious programming for Holy Week and Easter: Good FridayRadio 2 – 7pm ‘At the Foot of the Cross’ an evening of music, poetry and inspirational storiesRadio 4 – 3pm Good Friday meditation on Rembrandt’s painting ‘Ecce Homo’Saturday 3rd AprilBBC 2 7pm ‘Easter from Kings’ with readings and seasonal music by the choristers of Kings College CambridgeEaster DayRadio 4 ‘Sunday Worship’ 8.10am Easter Day Eucharist with the Archbishop of Canterbury from Canterbury CathedralBBC 1 Easter Day Eucharist with the Archbishop of Canterbury from Canterbury Cathedral. 10am 1.15pm Songs of Praise for Easter Sunday with Katherine Jenkins Radio 3 – 3pm Choral Evensong live from Manchester Cathedral. As you pray at home, here are the bible readings for the next week:Wednesday 31st MarchIsaiah 50: 4- 9aJohn 13: 21 - 32Thursday 1st AprilExodus 12: 1-4, 11 - 14John 13: 1- 17, 31b – 35 (Maundy Thursday)Friday 2nd AprilIsaiah 52: 13 – 53: endJohn 18: 1 – 19: end (Good Friday)Saturday 3rd AprilJob 14: 1- 14John 19: 38 - end Sunday 4th AprilActs 10: 34 – 43Mark 16: 1- 8 (Easter Day)Monday 5th AprilActs 2: 14, 22 - 32Matthew 28: 8 - 15Tuesday 6th AprilActs 2: 36 - 41John 20: 11 - 18Wednesday 7th AprilActs 3: 1 - 10Luke 24: 13 - 35 ................
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