Round up: Special events for Easter

Just a few of the special events happening over Holy Week and Easter.

Check www.achurchnearyou.com for your local church’s events.

Throughout the Easter period

‘Eggsplore Easter’ Family Trail

Venue and time: Gloucester Cathedral, 9-24 April (excluding 15 April)

Description: Do you know what happened on the very first Easter Day? Come and explore this amazing building to find the answer. Trails are available by donation from the Welcome Desk whilst stocks last.

Pebble Hunt

Venue and time: Around Kingsholm, in Gloucester, now.

Description: You will find painted pebbles which you can use to make an Easter garden. Tag @stcatglos to share your creations with the church.

Maundy Thursday, 14 April

Diocesan Chrism Eucharist

Venue and time: Gloucester Cathedral, 11am

Description: All are welcome to join us on Maundy Thursday as we pray over the oils that will be used for anointing and reaffirm our commitment to follow Jesus Christ as baptised disciples and in the many ways in which we have been called. Please do ensure that you don’t come if you feel unwell and wear a mask if you would like to. Hand santiser is available at various stations in the Cathedral. Good hygiene practices help us to care for each other.

If you’re unable to make the service, you can watch the live stream here —>

Maundy Thursday Service

Venue and time: Tewkesbury Abbey, 7.30pm

Description: Solemn Celebrated Eucharist of the last Supper, Washing of Feet, Procession of the Blessed Sacrament and the stripping of the Altar, followed by the Watch until midnight.

Good Friday, 15 April

Good Friday gathering

Venue and time: St Catharine’s Church Gloucester, 10 am to midday.

Description: Play games, do crafts, pray and eat together as they think about Easter.

Good Friday services

Venue and time: Tewkesbury Abbey, 9.30 am and 2 pm

Description: A Solemn Liturgy of the Cross at 9.30 am and then at 2 pm join for ‘An hour at the cross’.

Good Friday Reflections

Venue and time: Cirencester Parish Church, 12 noon to 1.45 pm

Description: The Revd Karen Schmidt will be leading the Good Friday Reflections. There will be 4 sessions, the first three each lasting 30 minutes and the fourth session will be 15 minutes long. A booklet containing the words and the picture for reflection will be provided.

Meditations at the foot of the cross

Venue and time: Minchinhampton Church, 12 noon

Description: Three hours of meditations at the foot of the cross with the Ven Hilary Dawson, Archdeacon of Gloucester.

Easter Saturday, 16 April

Easter Liturgy

Venue: Minchinhampton Church, 9 pm

Description: Easter Liturgy with a bonfire, Paschal Candle procession and beautiful music and liturgy.

Easter Sunday, 17 April

Vigil service

Venue and time: St Margaret’s, Whaddon

Description: Gathering in darkness, this service takes place as the first light of Easter appears. A mass of candles is lit during the singing of the traditional Exultet. Enquiries to Jonathan on 01452 502174.

Churches Together Dawn Service

Venue and time: Tom Long’s Post, near Stroud, 6 am (spark.cycled.joys (what3words)|GL6 9EE (which is approximate – in the middle of the common) |SO860012 (grid ref)

Description: An early morning service for Easter.