Dear Friends

The Great Fifty Days of Easter comes to an end with Pentecost (which means fifty in Greek). Forty days after Easter is Ascension Day, when Christ who had appeared to his disciples after the resurrection disappears from their sight into a cloud according to Luke.

On Ascension Day Thursday 2nd June the choir are singing from the Tower at 7.30am and you are welcome to join us. There is a breakfast afterwards in S. John's Room. In the evening at 7.30pm there is a Sung Eucharist.

The Church of England Prayer Book says that every Christian should attend Church at least at Christmas, Easter and Pentecost (Whitsun). While we do get reasonable attendance at Christmas and Easter, Pentecost is often overlooked. After Pentecost Sunday morning service is our Annual Parish Lunch. This is always a sumptuous affair and this year it is being held at Leasowe, Northwood by kind permission of Mark and Jenny Spurdens. Tickets £10 (£5 Children).

Following Pentecost is Trinity Sunday and the Trinity Season. While Pentecost is about the coming of the Holy Spirit, Trinity is about the mystery of the Godhead, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Trinity is the ordinary season of the year. We are back to green liturgically, the colour of nature. Flowers are on the altars and in church and so please look at the flower rota and put your name down if you wish to do flowers.

On the first Thursday after the Easter season in ordinary time ie Trinity, is a Day of Thanksgiving for the Institution of the Holy Communion, commonly known as Corpus Christi. On Maundy Thursday when Christ instituted the Holy Communion we concentrate on his service in the foot washing. Corpus Christi allows us to celebrate the Holy Communion, the giving of His Body and Blood, as the centre of our Christian life and faith. There is a Sung Eucharist (Holy Communion) at 7.30pm 23d June and refreshments afterwards at the vicarage. All most welcome.

Finally, may I thank all those who are helping with the Family Service on the Third Sunday of the month. Also we are enjoying the organ playing of our new Organist Iain Anderson.

My prayers and best wishes,

Fr. Philip Edge - Vicar