Churches prepare to remember events of first Easter
CHRISTIANS from across Reading are preparing to mark the events of the first Easter with a range of activities.
On Maundy Thursday, March 28, The Gate church will be in Forbury Gardens presenting The Reading Passion between 6pm and 8pm. This is a new production by RISE Theatre, and will depict the key moments of the first Holy Week, performed by a cast of four professional actors.
One actor will play Jesus and with the other three playing multiple characters in what they hope will be an emotionally impactful performance.
On Good Friday, March 29, there will be a number of services and special events.
At 11am, there is a Reserved Sacrament service at Reading Minster church in Chain Street. This hour-long service will be live streamed.
There will be a gathering outside Marks & Spencer from noon organised by Churches Together in Reading.
This short devotional service will be led by the group’s chair, Michael Penny.
Music will come from the Reading Central Salvation Army, and Abbey Baptist Church’s minister, the Revd Julia Binney, will give an Easter message.
Then, from 1.30pm, The Gate church is holding another performance of The Reading Passion in Forbury Gardens.
Churches across the town will take part in Walks of Witness on Good Friday.
In East Reading there is a Walk of Witness starting at 9.40am at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church and taking in Earley St Peter’s Church of England, Anderson Baptist Church, Park United Reformed Church and ending at Wycliffe Baptist Church.
In Southcote, gathering will start 10am at Southcote Church.
At 10.30am, there is a Walk of Witness from Caversham the from Family
Baptist Church organised by Churches Together in Caversham.
At the same time, Margaret’s Church Mapledurham is holding Stations of the Cross event.
St Peter’s Church in Caversham is holding a three-hour time of reflection between noon and 3pm, with reflections led by the Bishop of Reading, the Rt Revd Olivia Graham.
On Holy Saturday, March 30, The Gate is returning to Forbury Gardens for an afternoon that includes a bring-your-own picnic, a passion play, and a concert.
The event runs from noon to 4.30pm.
The Church St Giles in Reading is inviting people to join its solemn liturgy at 3pm on Good Friday, with an Easter vigil service from 9pm on Holy Saturday.
It will hold a parish mass on Easter Sunday at 10.30am.
Easter Sunday celebrations include the annual open-air service in Forbury Gardens.
Starting at 8am, it will be led by Michael Penny, chair of Churches Together in Reading, and feature the Band of Reading Central Salvation Army.
The Easter message will be given by Major Adrian Maddern of Reading Central Salvation Army on his last day serving the community in Reading, as he and his wife are moving on.
If wet, this service will be held in Abbey Baptist Church.
Ask for Ellen
St in a
FAMILIES struggling with the costof-living crisis can go to Ellen, back for the Easter holidays thanks to Warburtons and Morrisons.
The two companies are teaming up to offer free toasted crumpets with butter and jam to anyone who goes into the supermarket’s cafe and asks for Ellen.
The offer runs until Sunday, April 14, amid research showing more than six million families notice an increase in their weekly shopping bill during school holidays with 82% – four in five – of these parents spend more on snacks to keep up with demand from their children
Almost half – 44% – of parents said one of their biggest challenges in the school holidays is keeping their child entertained. With this in mind, there is also an Ask For Ellen colouring competition.
Prizes include Morrisons vouchers and a Warbutons hamper.
Chris Strong, Morrisons Café buying manager, said: “We know our customers are grateful for the extra support that the Ask for Ellen initiative offers, and with the addition of a colouring and activity pack, we hope it can continue to help brighten their day.”
In addition to the Ask For Ellen scheme, Morrisons continues to provide its Kids Eat Free promotion, available when adults buy a meal costing £4.50 or more.