Anyone going into Christ Church on Maundy Thursday evening (2nd April) would have found it dramatically transformed. Soft candle light, with music from cello and piano, created a reflective setting for a special supper and for the retelling of the story of Jesus’ last meal with his disciples. This led into a moving Communion service. Before that, 130 members of Christ Church and Chorleywood Free Church, seated at two long rows of tables, enjoyed a simple ‘Mediterranean’ meal of bread, cold meats and wine.
‘The idea’, explained David Hall, Vicar of Christ Church, ‘was to echo the simplicity of Jesus’ Last Supper and to reflect on the Easter narrative that would take us on through Good Friday to Easter Sunday’. David’s wife, Mary, a cellist, provided the music, with pianist David Heath.
The appearance of the church on Easter Sunday could not have been more strikingly different: it was filled with spring flowers and lilies – an outburst of light and colour. ‘The theme of new life which we celebrate at Easter,’ commented Church Warden Geoff Marshall-Taylor, ‘was expressed in the liturgy, the music and the stunning flower displays. It was a day to remember!’
Over 1,000 people attended over the three days of the Easter weekend: an overflow facility had to be used, made possible by a new sound and vision relay from the church to The Junction, the church centre.
Photo: Rev David Hall (who took it by climbing up inside the spire!)