St Andrew's, Dearnley and Smithy Bridge

St Andrew's, Dearnley and Smithy Bridge

We are looking for 12 volunteers please to help us at St Andrew's, the parish church of Dearnley and Smithy Bridge, with 'Experience Easter', an experiential exploration of Holy Week for the children from St Andrew's and Smithy Bridge primary schools.

We are to construct six 'stations' around the church: Palm Sunday; Washing of feet; The Last Supper; Gethsemane; Golgotha; The Empty Tomb.

The children will journey around the 'stations' in small groups, spending about ten minutes at each in order to think, discuss and pray.

Ideally, we need volunteer help from 4pm onwards in church on Sunday, March 24 to help to construct the 'stations' and again on Tuesday and Wednesday of the following week, March 26 and 27, to sit at each 'station' and to talk with the children.

If you would like to know more and will be available for all or part of the event please speak to Sharon in church tomorrow.

Next Saturday (March 23) we will be making Palm crosses from 10am, while at 11am there will be a preparation meeting for the 'Experience Easter' helpers.

Holy Week and Easter services are as follows:

Sunday, March 24, Palm Sunday, 10am, Procession with Palms and Sung Eucharist.

Tuesday, March 26, 7.30pm, Stations of the Cross and Compline.

Thursday, March 28, Maundy Thursday, 9.30am Eucharist; 7.30pm, Passover meal, Eucharist and Washing of Feet; 9pm to midnight, Gethsemane Watch in the Lady Chapel.

Friday, March 29, Good Friday, 9.30am, Children's Liturgy; 11am, Good Friday Liturgy; Noon to 3pm, silent prayer and reflection on the Stations of the Cross.

Saturday, March 30, Holy Saturday, 9am, Morning prayer; 8pm, Lighting of the Easter Fire and Easter Vigil.

Sunday, March 31, Easter Day, 8am Eucharist, 10am, Sung Eucharist.

Tomorrow (Sunday) is Passion Sunday when we have Eucharist at 8am, Sung Eucharist at 10am and Holy Baptism at noon. Please bring Easter eggs for distribution to vulnerable families.

The parish rota is : lay assistants, J Mills, J Townshend; readers, W Foote, S Moore; Intercessions, W Foote; sidespersons, E Burrow, J Ainsworth; refreshments, Carolyn, Pat, Margaret.

Our coffee morning, bake off and nearly-new event last Saturday raised £300 for Wider Welcome.