Dear Brothers and Sisters
I am possibly one of the few people to be looking forward to this Sunday. Not because it is Palm Sunday but because it is the day that the clocks go forward. Most people I know hate the thought of losing an hour’s sleep, but I am very excited about the change in time. Here’s why; I have insomnia. I have struggled with my sleep for years. I usually manage about 4 hours, often less, each night, and then every now and then I have a refreshing 7 hours! During lockdown bedtime at the Vicarage has been getting earlier and earlier. I used to make it through till 10pm. Now 9pm. seems very late. It’s not an uncommon problem, I know of one priest who can’t make it past 8.30pm. Recently I decided that enough was enough. So, I am now registered with a sleep disorder clinic who are working with me to improve my sleep. Part of the treatment involves me having to stay awake much later in the evening. Just now I am being asked not to go to bed until after midnight! So that is why I am looking forward to this weekend. At around 11pm. I plan to put my watch forward to 12 am. and go to bed. That’s right, I’m getting excited about going to bed a whole hour early. What a rock and roll lifestyle I lead. But at least I know that I won’t sleep in on Sunday morning.
On Palm Sunday we begin our journey with Jesus through the last week in Jerusalem. We will shout ‘Hosanna’ with the crowds as he enters Jerusalem. We will remind ourselves of what Jesus did for us as we listen to the accounts of his Passion and death. We will do this at our Palm Sunday Services at Weston, Leathley and Fewston and at Weston on Good Friday. These are wonderful opportunities for us to be reminded of the personal cost of evil and sin in the world. If you can find the time next week read those Passion accounts again at home. They never fail to hit home.
Palm Crosses will be available at our Palm Sunday Services. If you are not able to get to a service but would like a Palm Cross, please let me know and I’ll make sure one (or more) gets to you.
Because of COVID complications we aren’t holding public worship in the Benefice on Maundy Thursday but do try to mark the day by reading the Gospel accounts of the Last Supper and Jesus prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. There are lots of services that you can join in on social media throughout the day. You might want to join Bishop Nick as he celebrates this year’s Chrism Eucharist at Bradford Cathedral. The service starts at 10.55am. and you can watch it on You Tube using the following link. https://youtu.be/oCBiLq5Y83w
Our Good Friday service at 2pm. at Weston will be a mixture of prayer, bible readings, poems, silence and music and will allow us space to reflect on Our Lord’s death for each of us.
Easter Day is always a day of the greatest joy even in these difficult times. As with last Christmas we will have services in all our parishes at Farnley, Fewston, Leathley and Denton to allow as many as possible to make their Easter Communion.
I will be on holiday locally during Easter week; the garden needs some serious attention. I won’t be looking at emails during that week but I will monitor my answering machine and reply to urgent calls.
The National Day of Reflection last Tuesday was a wonderful moment to come together as a Nation to remember those who died over this past year as well as giving thanks for all that so many have done for our common life over these past 12 months. As we move on from the 29th of March into the next phase of our journey out of lockdown this seems an appropriate time to stop gathering at 6pm. each evening to pray.
The readings for Palm Sunday are rather long so are not printed this week. But do read the Passion accounts in your Bibles.
Services
Good Friday 2nd April Weston 2pm.
Easter Day 4th April Farnley 9.30am.
Leathley 10am.
Fewston 11am.
Denton 11am.
Easter 2 11th April Leathley 10am.
Please remember in your prayers: All who have lost loved ones over this past year. Those whose lives have changed for ever. Our Government as we continue on the long journey out of this pandemic. Our schools and teachers and the children and young people they care for as they return to school from this week onwards. Our farmers as they work round the clock caring for their flocks. Our Front-line services, that we don’t take them for granted. All involved in the national vaccination drive. Our neighbours in Europe and around the world where the pandemic is still raging. Couples planning to be married this year. The homeless and those who cannot feed their families. Our friends and neighbours and all who live in this Benefice. The sick, and the dying. Those who have died and all who mourn.
God bless you all.
Stephen