The First Easter

Easter is the biggest celebration of all in our churches… yes, bigger even than Christmas!

Discover together with your child what happened on the very first Easter using this easy-to-read summary of the story that’s right at the heart of the Christian faith, and then why not join us on Easter Sunday Morning in St Mary’s Church in Stoke by Nayland for a very special Easter Celebration (find out more here)

 

There are so many symbols of new life in the shops at Easter, like eggs, chicks and spring flowers. The very first Easter story is about new life – despair turning into joy, an amazing miracle and the extravagant love of God for all of us. Here’s what happened…

A special meal
Jesus gathered his friends around him for a special meal, and during the meal he tried to help them understand what was going to happen to him.

He took some bread, and broke it, and gave it to them, saying ‘This is my body’. Then he poured some wine and shared it with them, saying ‘This is my blood’. He knew he was going to die, and he wanted his friends to understand.

Then he took a towel and started to wash their feet, to show them that if he, their teacher, could wash their feet, then they should also learn to do kind and humble things for one another. He was showing them that a leader can also be a servant.

After supper, they went to a beautiful, quiet garden so that Jesus could pray about what was going to happen. He really needed his friends that night, but they kept falling asleep. He had never felt so alone.

Betrayed
Late at night, one of Jesus’ friends, Judas, came to the garden, bringing with him soldiers from the temple to arrest Jesus – it was dark, so he told the soldiers he would show them which one was Jesus by kissing him. We don’t know why Judas did it, but he wasn’t the only one who betrayed Jesus that night. When the soldiers arrived, all Jesus’ friends ran away, and then later, his best friend Peter was so afraid, he wouldn’t even admit to knowing Jesus.

On trial
Jesus was put on trial – all night they questioned him. Early in the morning they sent him to Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor, and asked him to kill Jesus for them – they said that Jesus was claiming to be a King, a rival to the Roman Emperor.

The Romans often crucified people – they knew it made everyone afraid of them. So when the crowds asked for Jesus to be crucified, Pilate eventually agreed. He didn’t really care whether Jesus was a criminal or not.

Crucified
So Jesus was beaten, and given a crown made of thorns – the soldiers were mocking him as ‘King of the Jews’. Then they took him away and crucified him – they nailed him to a large wooden cross, and hung him there in the blazing hot sun, along with two criminals.

Gradually some of Jesus’ friends came back: John stood by Jesus’ mother Mary, and Jesus asked them to care for each other after he was gone.

Finally, there came a moment when the sky went dark, and Jesus took his last breath. Jesus’ friends buried him and rolled a large stone against the tomb entrance, and the soldiers stayed to guard it (they didn’t want anyone to steal the body and pretend that Jesus had come back to life).

***
The next day was the Sabbath – the holy day – and on that day Jesus’ body lay silent and cold in the tomb.

***

Tomb stone rolled away

Early on the first day of the week, when it was still dark, some friends of Jesus (both called Mary) went to the tomb with spices and herbs, so that they could care for Jesus’ body.

They had wondered how they would move the stone away, but they arrived to find the tomb open, and an angel who told them that Jesus was alive – well, they were not sure what to think! One of them went back to the city, but the other stayed in the garden.

She was crying, and it was still dark, so when saw someone standing near her she thought it must be the gardener. Maybe he had moved the stone and taken Jesus’ body?

He’s alive!
Then the man said to her, ‘Mary’ and she recognised his voice. It was Jesus, and he really was alive! He said to her, ‘Go and tell my friends what you have seen,’ and she did – she ran all the way back to where Jesus’ friends were staying and said to them, ‘I have seen the Lord, and he is alive!’

They didn’t know what to think either, but over the next hours and days, they all saw Jesus – he came to them in the house, he met some of them on a journey, and then visited them again while they were fishing, and cooked them breakfast! There was no doubt about it, Jesus was alive, and they began to tell everyone the good news.

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2 donkeys, a procession and a baptism

2 donkeys, a procession and a baptism – it could almost be the title for the next Richard Curtis hit film, but instead over 120 people gathered for a special Palm Sunday service at St James’ Church in Nayland, where we remembered Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, before going outside and re-enacting it!

Revd Mark introduces himself to Cilla and Poppy the donkeys

Cilla and Poppy rewarded with carrots by some of the children

The Palm Sunday service was followed by another special occasion, as Ellis Willmott was baptised, with the help of his brother Harrison.

We now look forward to Holy Week, including our very special Easter Celebration Service in Stoke-by-Nayland at 10am on Easter Sunday.

Marking Good Friday

There are many traditions around Easter which have survived through generations. The Friday before Easter Sunday, Good Friday, is marked by remembering the cross of Jesus. Help young ones know that before the Easter eggs, Christians mark this day in special ways too.

Children look forward to hot cross buns, Easter eggs, chicks and making bonnets around Easter. Good Friday is more than a Bank Holiday – in churches it’s a very special time to remember that Jesus died on a cross to save the whole world. Here are some traditional and new ways to tell children that Good Friday is all about the cross.

Hot Cross Buns
Though many places sell them all year round, hot cross buns are traditionally eaten on Good Friday. The cross on the top is a reminder of the cross on which Jesus died, and the spices are a reminder of the spices used in his burial.

There are lots of great recipes online, such as this one.

Last year, Churches in Devon had a great idea for some prayers to say while baking hot cross buns, and for sharing them afterwards – click here to find out what they did…

Find a cross
If you go to Church on Good Friday (and we have services in both Nayland and Leavenheath) look round the church building and see how many crosses you can find.

Even if you’re not in church, learn to spot crosses everywhere: window frames, aeroplane trails…

Many people wear a cross as jewellery, some people carry a small cross in their pocket or bag. At a christening the Priest will draw the sign of the cross on the child’s forehead – the cross is a sign of belonging to God, and of the love that God has for us.

One of the most famous bible verses says, “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son…” (John chapter 3 verse 16). New parents probably understand this sort of love better than anyone: the love that means you would do anything and everything for the sake of your child. We can pray “Our Father”, because God loves us like that – Jesus’ death on the cross was God being willing to do anything and everything for our sake, because he loves us.

Make an Easter Garden

This can be anything from a simple plant pot ‘garden’ to something much more ambitious. Usually an Easter garden includes a hill with three crosses on it, and a cave-tomb (usually a smaller plant pot) with a stone against it. Some gardens also add a path made of gravel, and spring flowers such as primroses. Here is a nice easy-to-make natural version, using moss for grass, twigs for the crosses, and a small plant pot for the cave.

You can even make an Easter Garden picture instead if you don’t have the materials to make a 3D one from natural objects – try cutting the pictures out of the seed catalogues that are often delivered free from local garden centres.

When you make the garden, put the stone in front of the cave. On Easter Sunday, roll the stone to one side (or peel it off if you made a picture) to help tell the Easter story.

Mothering Sunday

There is lots going on in our Benefice throughout Lent and in the run up to Easter.  On the 11th March our services will remember both our ‘Mother Church’ and our own mothers.   Some churches may also have a time in the service when children give flowers to their mothers, or to those who have played a mother’s role in their life.

If you’re preparing for Mother’s Day at home, it can be a good time to help children
learn about God’s love for them too, which is also like a mother’s love. Here are some
things to do together as you think about that love:

• Make a few pom pom chicks, you can even save them for Easter Day as a table decoration: see: http://www.homemade-gifts-made-easy.com/easter-craft-ideas.html

•Ask your child who the chicks’ mummy is. If you like, you can talk about how they are
born from an egg.

•Talk about how a hen protects her little chicks by hiding them under her wings. She feeds them and holds them close to her to keep them warm and safe.

•Think about how God’s love is like this. We are like God’s little chicks and God wants to keep us safe too, just like the hen.

•Why not play at being hens and chicks together, spreading out arms and gathering
underneath them?

•At home, you can also read one of the Bible stories that has a mother’s love at its centre – for example, the story of Moses.

A mother’s love is so special it’s worth celebrating, but some people may find Mother’s
Day difficult for lots of different reasons. Some people may not have a mother who they see any more. She may have died, or they just never knew her. Some parents find
Mother’s Day sad because they have lost a child and still grieve.

As well as celebrating the love of mothers, a church will always remember that Mother’s Day can be difficult as well, and will often say prayers or provide a place to light a candle during the service. The vicar can even offer a confidential listening ear and prayer at this time, if that is something you would like.

For more articles like this visit https://churchofenglandchristenings.org/after-achristening/,  where you can sign up for a quarterly newsletter offering ideas
to help grow your child’s faith.

Food, Glorious Food – Community Events

They say that an army marches on its stomach – that may or may not be the case, but one thing is certain that our parishes probably do, many of our social activities all centre around food, whether it is fish and chips at a quiz night, coffee and walnut cake at a coffee morning or a giant spread at a harvest bring and share lunch or supper, its is always more fun with food.

We are grateful to a loyal team of volunteers who love to see that no one goes hungry or is lonely and run regular events throughout the year, these are open to anyone who would like to attend, and transport may also be available, please ask:   See below for our upcoming events:

Men’s Breakfast
Venue:  The Hare & Hounds, Harrow Street, Leavenheath, CO6 4PW
Saturday 17th March at 8.45am
A time of fellowship, prayer, a couple of hymns and a full cooked breakfast!
Contact Paul 01206 531224 or the.reeves@btinternet.com

Community Lunch
Venue: Leavenheath Village Hall,  Wrights Way, Leavenheath, CO6 4NR
Tuesday 13th March at 1pm
Tuesday 22nd May at 1pm
Tuesday 24th July at 1pm
Tuesday September 11th at 1pm
Tuesday 27th November at 1pm  (Special Christmas Lunch)
Join with members of the community for a delicious home cooked lunch
Contact Linda on 01206 531224 or the.reeves@btinternet.com

Community Tea
Venue: Leavenheath Village Hall,  Wrights Way, Leavenheath, CO6 4NR
Tuesday 27th February at 2.30pm
Tuesday 24th April at 2.30pm
Tuesday 26th June at 2.30pm
Tuesday 23rd October at 2.30pm
Join with members of the community for a lovely Afternoon Tea
Contact Linda on 01206 531224 or the.reeves@btinternet.com

Coffee Mornings
Venue:  St James’ Vicarage, Bear Street, Nayland, CO6 4LA
Wednesday 14th February at 9.30am
Wednesday 21st February at 9.30am
Wednesday 28th February at 9.30am
Wednesday 7th March at 9.30am
Join with the Vicar and members of the community for an informal coffee (or tea) and friendly conversation.
Contact Revd Mark on 01206 262150 or revdmarkwoodrow@gmail.com

Wednesday Welcome
Venue:  St Mary’s Church, Church Street, Stoke-by-Nayland, CO6 4QU
Wednesday 7th March at 10am
Wednesday 4th April at 10am
Wednesday 2nd May at 10am
Wednesday 6th June at 10am
Join us in Church for lively discussion, coffee and cake.
Contact Adam Sedgwick on 01206 262437 or adam.sedgwick@yahoo.co.uk

All are very welcome. 

Why not take the opportunity to invite that neighbour or friend you’ve been thinking of?

Countdown to Easter

Pancake Day, Lent and Holy Week are all part of the journey to Easter Day, the biggest Christian celebration of the year.

It is a time when lots of people make time to think carefully about their life. For Christians, this means trying to live God’s way and remembering all that Jesus did.

Why we have Pancake Day
Pancake Day is also called Shrove Tuesday and is one last chance for a big party before Lent begins with Ash Wednesday the next day.

Long ago, Christians traditionally used up all the eggs and fat they had in store by making pancakes and feasting on them. This was because when Lent came, they would eat less food, or even fast (do without food sometimes) to help them focus on God and not on the things they wanted. This tradition has been passed down the generations.

Shrove Tuesday always falls 47 days before Easter, a date which changes every year. This year, we’ll be eating our pancakes on 13th February, before Lent begins on 14th February.   With eggs, flour, milk and butter, anyone can join in with Pancake Day.

Why is Lent important?
Lent is a time of getting ready for Easter.

When Jesus was just getting started with his work, he went into the desert for 40 days to be all alone with God. He even went without food and prayed, and was tempted away from what God wanted him to do in all kinds of ways, but he resisted that temptation. You can read that story here in the Bible: Matthew 4:1-11.

During Lent, Christians often do something different too, like praying every day or reading the Bible. This reminds us of Jesus’ time in the desert to focus just on God and feel closer to him. The good news is that Sundays are still celebration days – so you can take a break from fasting! The last week of Lent is called Holy Week – during this time, the church remembers Jesus’ death on a cross.

Even young children can take part in Lent. For example giving up a sweet treat every day might remind children that we can live more simply.

Our churches in Lent
Churches may look quite different during Lent. You might notice the colour purple, or there may be very few decorations or flowers. This is because it’s a time to concentrate on God and remember how Jesus gave up his life on a cross to save all of us.

Because Lent is a time to reflect, church music and songs will tend to be more reflective and services won’t ever include the word ‘Alleluia’ – a very joyful word to express praise for God.

It’s a big contrast when Easter Day arrives, when the colourful decorations come out, there’s lots of celebration, ‘Alleuias’ and joyful music! – We even have a special Easter Celebration Service in our biggest church in Stoke-By-Nayland with extra special refreshments and an Easter Egg Hunt for the children afterwards!

Why not go along to a church service in Lent and play a game of spot-the-difference – how is it different to other services you have been to? Then go at Easter and play again! Talk about how each service feels and why they have these different moods.

Come and join us at our Lent and Easter church services, details of which can be found by clicking here

 

 

Article taken from http://www.churchofenglandchristenings.org with permission.

Be heart-ready this Lent

This year there is a very special day on February 14th. It’s special because it is
Valentine’s Day – and millions of cards and gifts will be shared. But it’s special in the
church because it is Ash Wednesday – and that marks the beginning of the 6 weeks
called Lent.

Lent is the time when Christians take time to try and live God’s way, the way that
Jesus showed us. At the end of Lent comes Good Friday, when we remember the
big love of God on the cross where Jesus died. Then comes Easter day, when we
celebrate that love brings life and joy to the world.

Valentine’s Day is about love – and so is Lent. There are three things that we can
do with the big love that is at the heart of Lent and Valentine’s Day:-

• Big love says thank you: Valentine’s Day helps us to tell people we love
  them. Sometimes that is people who know – and sometimes it is a surprise to people who don’t know! It can be about romantic love between couples – but this Valentine’s Day why not say thank you for other kinds of love as well? A special card for a grandparent or a child, a chocolate heart left on the desk of a teacher or colleague. All these remind us to say thank you for love.
• Big love gives up: Lent is traditionally a time when Christians try to live
  carefully, and follow the example of Jesus more closely. This often means
  giving up things for a season; things like chocolate or crisps, social media or
  TV watching. Love often means giving up something for other people – being unselfish and generous, thoughtful and kind. As a family, you could decide to give up something for Lent and every time you go to do that thing, instead take a second to pray for God’s love to be known in the world.
• Big love takes up: Lent is also a time when Christians decide to take up new ways of living, perhaps giving more away, praying more, reading the Bible more. Sometimes it means doing something that takes a bit of extra time or effort. Love goes the extra mile for other people, taking time to listen, to do new things together and to make a difference to the world. As a family, you could decide to take up something for Lent – doing something together that shares God’s love with others. Check out live Lent for ideas on how to start doing something new.

A prayer for Valentine’s/Lent:
Make a heart shape with your hands (or hold a simple heart shape).
“Dear God – thank you for all the love in our lives and in the world. Help us to share
that love with other people each and every day.”

Hold both hands out, palms up
“Dear God, give us courage to let go of things this Lent. Help us to discover more
about following Jesus and sharing his love in the world.“

Make a cross shape with your hands (or hold a simple cross).
“Dear God, as we think about your big love for us this Lent, help us to take up new
ways of living. Help us to live generously and make a difference to others.
Amen.”

Lent Course 2018 – The Long Road to Heaven

Join the Revd Mark Woodrow as we explore the Christian understanding of Salvation in a five-part Lent Course based on the film The Way.

Starring Martin Sheen as a bereaved father, this soulful and uplifting film observes a group of pilgrims walking the Way of St James to Santiago de Compostela.  As it follows their journey of inner transformation, we examine the Biblical accounts and images of salvation – past, present and future – and address the questions:  What are we saved from? What are we saved for? Who can be saved? What do we have to do to be saved? How are we saved?

The informal sessions will take place from 9.30am to 11.30am (with time for coffee and prayer) at St James’ Vicarage, Bear Street, Nayland CO6 4LA on 16th & 23rd February, 2nd, 9th & 16th March.

It would be helpful if you could let The Revd Mark know if you were intending to join him (01206 262150 or revdmarkwoodrow@gmail.com).     You may wish to purchase a copy of the accompanying book ISBN 978-1-78279-274-1

Seven and a Half Churches: The Legacy of St Thomas in South India

When 16th century European priests arrived in southern India to introduce Christianity, they were told that a more famed Christian missionary had been there many years beforehand.

As they travelled in and around the regions of Travancore and Cochin, the priests found that there were indeed a long-established community of Christians, and the man who first converted them was none other than St. Thomas the Apostle (the “Doubting Thomas”), who it was said, arrived in India aboard a Roman trading vessel in 52 AD.

Now, whether St. Thomas himself actually preached under the palm trees of Travancore and Cochin more than 1900 years ago, in the end come down to an act of faith. One thing is certain though and that is that Indian Christian traditions predate any in Europe, and for the more than 2 million Christians in the region there is no doubt.

Indian Child at prayer

However, just like St. Thomas, it is easier to believe when you can see and touch things for yourself, and so to trace these historic roots and traditions for yourself I am inviting you to join me in discovering these in depth first-hand on a comprehensive trip next year from Monday 17th September 2018 to Thursday 4th October 2018.

Together, we will explore these unusual stories, the “seven and a half” churches founded by Thomas, and the Christian traditions of south India. Our journey will take us along the south west Malabar coastline, through the backwaters of Kerala to the very southern tip of the subcontinent, before travelling on to the Coromandel coast in the east, where, tradition tells us that St. Thomas met his end at the hands of an angry king on a hilltop just outside modern-day Chennai (Madras).

Southern Tip of India (Kanyakumari)

Along the way we will visit a modern-day legacy of St Thomas’ Christian influence, as we visit the Donhavur Fellowship, a community founded by the late Anglican missionary and spiritual writer Amy Carmichael.

Simple church at Dohnavur Fellowship

As well as experiencing and participating in the Christian traditions; we will also take the opportunity to visit the magnificent Hindu temples in Madurai and the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Mahabalipuram – all with plenty of time to relax, shop for gifts or handmade clothes, eat well and to enjoy all that India has to offer.

Revd Mark being ‘blessed’ by an Elephant in Madurai

This tour really does offer something for all, whether you have travelled to South India before, or a new to the region or country, this tour will enable you to meet the real people and explore those places overlooked by tourists – allowing you to become a pilgrim instead and to follow in paths once trodden by saints.

I very much look forward to travelling with you.

The Revd Mark Woodrow

For more information or to book your place: http://www.soulofindia.com/seven-and-a-half-churches/

Seven and a Half Churches, September 2018

Christmas Tree Prayers

If you would like your Christmas tree to mean more this year, why not try this beautiful and thoughtful prayer idea?

Children love to help with decorating the tree. This idea is an easy way to let them
get involved, and helps them pray at the same time.

• Buy some pretty gift tags (sparkly stars work well) – or make some by cutting
up last year’s Christmas cards.

• Write on the plain side the names of people or situations that you want to pray
about.

• Hang the gift tag prayers on your tree as a sparkly reminder – just as your
tree lights shine in the darkness, so your prayers are like a candle that lights
up the lives of those in need.

• Christmas is a particularly difficult time if you are sad, or ill, or lonely or
worried. Keep a few spare gift tags so you can add to your tree when you
think of others who need your prayers.

Tip: If you know someone needs your prayers, but it’s best if others don’t know
they’re in need, why not just write their initial on the tag, or draw a heart shape – God
will know you are thinking of them.