ST CHAD’S AND ST MARY IN THE BAUM
BOTH churches observed Holy Week and Easter Day, with several moving services led by the Area Dean and Assistant Archdeacon of Rochdale, the Rev Canon Karen Smeeton, with music by the St Chad’s choir directed by Philip Lowe.
Following Stations of the Cross at St Mary’s on Tuesday, the Maundy Thursday service of Holy Communion and Footwashing - the Last Supper of Jesus Christ - at St Chad’s, included the anthem A New Commandment by Richard Shephard and Psalm 22 verses 1-21, both sung by the choir.
On Good Friday at St Mary’s, An Hour at the Cross included two anthems: Drop, Drop, Slow Tears by Orlando Gibbons: “Drop, drop, slow tears, and bathe those beauteous feet, which brought from heaven the news and Prince of Peace”; and God So Loved the World by John Stainer.
On Sunday, at St Chad’s, the uplifting Easter Day service began with the lighting and blessing of the Easter Candle. The choir sang Psalm 114 and two anthems with the same title, Christ the Lord is Risen Again, by
Anthony Foster and by Richard Shephard.
Canon Karen Smeeton repeated the words “Why are you weeping?” asked by two angels, in St John’s Gospel, when confronted by Mary after the Resurrection of Jesus. Was this a stupid question?
The empty tomb did not convince the disciples, who, overcome by fear, ran away. The Resurrection demonstrates the “sheer scale of God”. Although Thomas was to understand the situation later when he saw Jesus’ wounds, people need “a lot of reassurance”. All the “action” which needed to be done had been accomplished by God.
Mary turns from the tomb, at first experiencing loss, before she then sees Christ and hears her name and sees everything - the Resurrection. When we renew our baptism promises at Easter, we remember the moment our name was “used”.
We, too, stare into the tomb, finding it empty.
Searching and questioning, we turn to Christ and we hear our name. Jesus’ wounds from Good Friday are still there. When we see him, hands scarred, we can hope we are risen, too.
Behind our fears and anxieties, we need not be afraid or anxious. We are loved entirely and called by name at our own baptism.
He calls us by name to turn and follow him into a new life. “Christ is risen from the dead!” Canon Karen Smeeton was assisted by the Rev
Pamela Parr and Hannah Currin on Maundy Thursday and by Hannah Currin on Easter Day.
Tomorrow is the First Sunday of Easter. The Eucharist, with hymns, is at St Mary’s at 9.15am, when the celebrant and preacher is the Rev Sue Morgan.
Choral Eucharist is at St Chad’s at 11.15am, when the celebrant is the Vicar, the Rev Anne Gilbert, and the preacher is Hannah Currin.
Each Monday at St Mary’s, the Red Cross provides help for refugees from 10am until 2pm. Refreshments are available and admission is free. Next Wednesday, April 10, at St Mary’s at
12.30pm, the Toad Lane Lunchtime Concert features Isabel Williamson, cello, and Jonathan Ellis, piano. Admission is £6.
Next Thursday, Holy Communion is at St Chad’s at 10am. All welcome.
Next Saturday, April 13, at St Chad’s at noon, a Midday Concert features the Kell Wind Trio. Admission is £6, including refreshments served from
11.30am.
Next Sunday, April 14, is the Second Sunday of Easter.
The Eucharist, with hymns, is at St Mary’s at
9.15am, when the celebrant and preacher is the Vicar. Choral
Eucharist is at St Chad’s at
11.15 am, when the celebrant is the Rev Pamela Parr and the preacher is the Vicar.
St Chad’s, on Sparrow Hill, overlooking the Town Hall, has been Rochdale’s Parish Church for over
800 years. Together with our sister church, St Mary in the Baum, we are still serving the community of Rochdale today and you are warmly welcome to join us.
Children’s activities are available during Sunday morning services and refreshments are provided afterwards. The Asian Christian Fellowship meets at St Chad’s on Sunday afternoons.
For details ring 07983 388169.
Next Wednesday, at St Chad’s from 10am until noon, the Friends Together Support Group meets. All are welcome with refreshments provided.