As part of our Easter preparations this year we met with the Methodist Church & Holy Trinity on alternate Sunday evenings during the 6 weeks of Lent. We used Henri Nouwen’s studies on the Return of the Prodigal Son, based on Rembrandt’s painting.
From the first time Henri saw the painting it had a great affect on him and immediately spoke to him. The studies focused on the 3 main characters, the Son, the Father and the Elder son. It soon became apparent that this Parable is more than just a good story to tell children. Forgiveness, the Father heart of God and the attitude of the Elder brother were all part of the discussions. While studying the painting, it was not immediately obvious, but after a while we realised the Hands of the Father are different, looking closer one hand is female and the other male, showing us the characteristics of God are both Father & Mother. We were encouraged to think about which character we might relate to and how our attitudes may need to change.
This study format is not for everyone, but it was good to come together and put aside our differences and think about what we have in common, such as knowing the love of Jesus Christ, also the opportunity to get to know one another from the other Churches.
Another service that we shared with Holy Trinity was the Maundy Thursday Communion. It is at this service we remember how Jesus washed His Disciples’ feet and shared the Passover Meal for the last time. As a reminder of these events, we washed each others hands and dried them, before receiving Communion from Nick & Richard. To do this was a new experience which I found very moving.
This was followed the next morning, Good Friday, by the Walk through the Village with the Cross. Stopping for readings on the way we went to Holy Trinity for this year’s Service where about 200 people gathered for a time of worship to remember the Death of our Lord. Being a lovely day we were able to have fellowship in their Garden afterwards of Tea/Coffee & Hot Cross Buns.
Our own service on Easter Morning was an All Age service with Communion, a time to Celebrate Our Risen Lord with Hot Cross Buns and Easter Eggs. The final service on Sunday Evening was at KBC where we were joined by Holy Trinity, for the Stations of the Resurrection another time of blessing.
Finally I would like to Thank Richard and the Ministers of the C4K Churches for making Easter 2011 such a memorable and challenging time.