Holy Week was a flurry of activity at St Giles, Desborough and with the recent removal of their church pews, it was the first proper chance to use their new-found space.
Maundy Thursday saw 65 people, including 25 children, attend a ‘Last Supper’. With tables arranged in the centre of the church, the congregation enjoyed food and drink whilst the events of Maundy Thursday were wonderfully acted out by ‘Engage’, the church’s group of young people aged between 11 – 15 years.
Following the performance, 24 hours of prayer began. Inspired by the Diocesan Year of Prayer, people were invited to sign up for half an hour slots and guidance was given on things to pray for. Revd Hannah Jeffery said ‘we were staggered to find that all the slots were filled, often by more than one person, at all hours of the day or night.’
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On Good Friday there was a ‘walk of witness’ in the town, along with congregations from other local churches. In St Giles itself, the 24 hours of prayer continued, and Easter Prayer stations were set up with many commenting on how they were a really helpful way to pray and engage with the Easter story and enable people of all ages to get involved.
Easter Day began with a sunrise service at 6am. The congregation gathered in the Easter Garden, which had been created by children earlier in the week, and a journey of prayer was made from the cross to the tomb. Later in the day an ‘all age’ celebration service was held and the new space allowed for everyone to gather around the communion table for worship.
More information on the Diocesan Year of Prayer can be found here.