Palm Sunday with a difference
Clockwise from top left Priory service sheet, palm crosses and Malvern College hymnbook; service stewards distribute palm crosses; the churchwardens lock Malvern College Chapel for the last time; happy volunteers serve tea and coffee after the service
The Sunday 10.30 congregation worshipped for the last time at Malvern College Chapel on Palm Sunday.
As Holy Week began there were mixed emotions - grateful thanks to Malvern College for hosting us in their beautiful chapel since January - hope that the nave floor really would be ready for us to worship ‘at home’ in the Priory on Easter Day - on top of the commemoration of Jesus’ riding into Jerusalem, in majesty, on a donkey.
The children, lured by the promise of chocolate, got a flavour of Jesus’ experience as they were led down the central aisle whilst the congregation first waved their palm crosses, shouting ‘Hosanna!’, then, as the children turned, so did the crowd; ‘Boo’ and the shaking of fists (in a friendly way!).
Asked to consider what a ‘good week’ might look like for each of us, the sermon explored God’s idea of a ‘good week’, turning from joy, through physical and mental pain, to despair and death, but ending in hope-filled resurrection and salvation for us all.
At coffee, afterwards, in the luxurious surroundings of Malvern College, folk mused on their experiences worshipping ‘away from home’. ‘It’s been interesting facing each other’ mused one. ‘I’ve seen people I’ve never seen before. And when I’ve waved to friends across the aisle on the other side, others have waved back, too. We’ll have to keep it up when we return to the Priory.’
The churchwardens, who’ve worked so hard to make the College Chapel experience the success it has been, extinguished the altar candles and turned the key in the Chapel door for the last time. ‘You’ve arrived’ and ‘Loos and coffee this way’ Priory signs were taken down and packed away.
Our Holy Week journey begins and we give thanks to all for the tremendous effort to complete the transformative Nave Floor Levelling Project in time for Easter.
All are very welcome in the Priory for services at 8am, 10.30am and 6.30pm.
