A couple of days ago I came across a cartoon which made me smile. In the cartoon It looked as though a committee, rather like a PCC, were deciding upon the type of person they wanted in a new priest, and the chair of the committee is saying: ‘Basically, we’re looking for an innovative pastor with a fresh vision who will inspire our church to remain exactly the same as it is.’
Well, perhaps the liturgies of Holy Week, not least the rearrangement of the church for the Easter Vigil and Easter Day services, will leave you in no doubt that I do intend to be innovative and with a fresh vision, but that things won’t remain exactly the same. Rather we will seek together to build on the past, whilst also being innovative as we move forward with a new sense of vision and purpose as we seek to draw more people to a knowledge of the love of God for them.
I am grateful for the many positive comments that I have received regarding the Easter services, and to all those who helped things run smoothly and prayerfully during Holy Week.
A happy Easter to you all … although, of course, Easter is not over. The season of Eastertide lasts right through until the Feast of Pentecost, which will be celebrated this year on Sunday June 9th, and when we remember the giving of the Holy Spirit to the Church to continue the ministry and mission of Christ in each generation.
From the Feast of the Ascension (May 30th) until the Day of Pentecost we are urged to participate in ‘Thy Kingdom Come’, an annual event which started as an invitation from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York in 2016 to the Church of England. The invitation was for us all to pray for the mission of the Church during the 10 days between the Ascension and Pentecost.
‘Thy Kingdom Come’ has now grown into a global prayer movement.
In the Diocese of Portsmouth we have been urged to pray with our ecumenical friends locally, in a variety of churches, in the lead up to the Day of Pentecost. Over the past months I have been working with church leaders in our area, reflecting on our response to ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ and the result of our endeavours is the following programme of prayer:
Monday 3rd June @ 6pm: Pause and Pray, led by Portsdown Community Church at St Thomas Church, Bedhampton.
Tuesday 4th June @7:30pm: Prayers at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Crookhorn Lane.
Wednesday 5th June @ 7:30pm: Prayers at Hart Plain Church.
Thursday 6th June: Prayers led by Bridge Church, Hayling Island (time and venue not yet finalised).
Friday 7th June @ 7pm: Prayer Vigil at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, London Road, Waterlooville.
Saturday 8th June @ 7pm: Evening Prayer at St Faith’s, Havant.
Everything will culminate on the Day of Pentecost in a Diocesan-Wide open air ‘Big Prayer Picnic’ in the grounds of Portchester Castle from 1pm, which will be attended by Christians from all denominations in the Portsmouth area.
Please do put these events in your diaries and see if you can attend any of them. You will hear much more about ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ in the weeks ahead.
With my love and prayers
Fr Colin
