EASTER AT MALMESBURY ABBEY Garden Labyrinth, Art Exhibition, Gregorian Chant, Music, Illusionist, Prayer and Worship Services
Easter at Malmesbury Abbey Alleluia! Christ is risen indeed! Hallelujah! These words, proclaimed for centuries at Easter by the Global Church, will resound across the Easter services at the Abbey. During the two weeks leading up to Easter Day, we hope you will find opportunities in the Abbey for quiet reflective times, for prayer, praise and celebration. We hope that prayer will provide a time for healing, for reconciliation, and for the Hope that is found in the Risen Christ at Easter. Our services are open to all. Children are welcome in the Abbey and we have a creche where you can entertain them if need be. Cover Picture by Steve Berrow 2017
Monday 18th to Saturday 24th March The Garden Monday to Friday Labyrinth 9am to 8pm with candlelit Night Labyrinth 6-8pm Cafe open till 7:30pm Saturday 9am to 5pm The Labyrinth is a spiritual exploration that leads pilgrims round a circular maze on which they pause and encounter texts, symbolic actions and reflections on God s love. The Abbey community reinvents this medieval Christian practice each year, using plants and trees to offer a symbolic journey, one garden to another Eden to Gethsemane- and ultimately to a Tree of Life. There is also a route around the Labyrinth for young people and children.
Saturday 24th to Sunday 1st April Stations of The Cross Art Exhibition 9am to 5pm Each year as part of their course work, As Level students from Malmesbury School use the Stations of the Cross to inspire them to create art depicting Christ s journey in the final hours before his crucifixion. The exhibition is open every day during Abbey Opening hours The Acts of the Apostles Exhibition, Ulrich Lindow, Malmesbury Abbey 2011.
Monday 26th March Gregorian Chant at Malmesbury Abbey 10am -3.30pm Join us as John Rowlands-Pritchard takes us through an interactive day workshop. Under John s guidance, we will learn how chant was used for a recitation of the Office services at the Abbey in the time of St Aldhelm and have a chance to sing the Offices ourselves. This day should appeal to those who enjoy Gregorian plain chant or would like to get in touch more closely with the Abbey s monastic past in the time of its greatest abbot. Tickets 10 available from the Abbey Bookshop or on the day, or to reserve a place, email: events@malmesburyabbey.com
Monday 26th March Music & Illusions 7:30 to 10pm (cafe bar from 7pm) Enjoy Illusions from Steve Price & Music from Tom McConnell. These gifted performers will also share about the difference faith makes to them. Steve Price is returning by popular demand with a brand new act of illusions. A Gold Star Member of the Inner Magic Circle and past Secretary of The Magic Circle he has also won The Magic Circle s Originality Prize. He is a full-time professional with 15 year s experience who has used his astonishing magical skills to amaze and amuse audiences at thousands of events all over the world. Tom McConnell is an Irish-born singer-songwriter and worship leader based in North London. His solo shows are energy-filled affairs which often include footstomping, beat-boxing and more soul than Ray Charles' shoe. Recently Tom has led 4,000 people in worship with Paul Baloche, collaborated with a world-champion beat-boxer at the Royal Albert Hall, and topped the itunes chart as guitarist for Seattle-based indie rockers 'Citizens & Saints. Tickets 5 ( 3 under 18s) Abbey Bookshop/on the door
Tuesday 27th March New Beginnings 7pm As people, we often long for a fresh start in different areas of our lives or community. The Way of the Cross 2pm-5pm The afternoon will be set aside for personal prayer using 14 Stations of the Cross, based on the Biblical story of Jesus, each illustrated by a picture and a small tableau. A booklet will guide you through relevant passages of Scripture and give you a reflection or meditation at each station. Individual prayer will also be available for anyone who would like it. God is able to touch us bringing healing and fresh hope. On this evening there will be an opportunity to gather around the cross, for a time of worship, reflection, testimony and prayer. The prayer team will also be available to pray for individuals and the Stations of the Cross will be in place if you wish to use these. Come and see what God is able to do. These are free events which are open to all.
Thursday 29th March Maundy Thursday 7pm Join us at 7pm as we remember Christ s Last Supper and his institution of Holy Communion. While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying Take it, this is my body. Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them and they all drank from it. This is my body of the covenant which is poured out for many. Mark 14: 22-24 After we have stripped the altar, it is left bare, and then we wait in quietness, to remind us of his words: Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. Mark 14: 37 & 38
Friday 30th March Good Friday 10:30am Service of the Cross with Bishop Lee Rayfield This will be followed at 12:00 midday by the Churches Together in Malmesbury Annual Walk of Witness 6:30pm Devotional Concert Malmesbury Abbey Choir, led by choir master John Hughes, will give a devotional concert of music interspersed with readings for Good Friday. The music will include pieces by Hubert Parry, Francisco Da Penalosa, Ola Gjeilo, Sir John Stainer, Giovanni Palestrina, John Rutter & J.S Bach
Saturday 31st March Easter Creations 2pm to 4pm Fun for all the family. A range of creative activities to celebrate together the Easter story. Drop in for 20 minutes or for 2 hours!
Easter Day Services 9am, 10:30am, 4pm & 6:30pm Each year, on Easter Day, 2 billion Christians globally celebrate a history-changing event at dawn nearly 2000 years ago; the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a joyous moment at the very heart of the Christian faith and the culmination of the more sombre reflections of Holy Week, which follow Christ s journey to the Cross. There are 4 services at the Abbey this year: at 9am a Holy Communion using the Book of Common Prayer (1662); at 10:30am the Malmesbury Abbey Choir lead us in the great Easter Hymns at Holy Communion; a more informal Family Celebration at 4pm is then followed by Choral Evensong at 6:30pm. Photo Robert Peel
Easter Diary 2018 Mon 19th March to Fri 23rd March Sat 24th March Sat 24th March to Sun 1st April 9:00am to 8:00pm Garden Labyrinth 9:00am to 5:00pm Garden Labyrinth 9:00am to 5:00pm Stations of the Cross Art Exhibition Sun 25th March 9:00am Holy Communion Palm Sunday 10:30am Holy Communion 4:00pm All Age Informal Cafe Worship Mon 26th March 10:00am to 3.30pm Gregorian Chant 7:30pm Music and Illusions Cafe/Bar from 7pm Tue 27th March Thu 29th March Maundy Thursday 2:00pm to 5:00pm The Way of the Cross 7:00pm to 9:00pm New Beginnings, Prayer, Healing Around the Cross 7:00pm Holy Communion Fri 30th March 10:30am Service of the Cross with Bishop Lee Rayfield Good Friday followed by CTiM Walk of Witness 6:30pm Devotional Concert Sat 31st March 2:00pm to 4:00pm Easter Creations Fun and Craft for all the family Sun 1st April 9:00am Holy Communion Easter Sunday 10:30am Holy Communion 4:00pm All Age Celebration & Easter Egg Hunt 6:30pm Choral Evensong