Dear Friends,
As we move through this joyful Easter season, I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who helped make our Holy Week and Easter services so meaningful across the Old Hills Malvern Churches. From Palm Sunday at Guarlford, the Maundy Thursday liturgy (thank you to the Vicars’ Wives that volunteered for footwashing…yes, two Priests were involved!) to Good Friday, and finally to the celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter morning, there was a real sense of togetherness and faith running through our churches. I was very pleased that each church managed to open at some point on Good Friday, and the Tenebrae Service at Powick was very well received. Every church had an Easter Day service, and all were better attended than normal. We even had an Easter baptism at Powick too. And I made it up the tower to see the Powick bellringers – to the cry “he is risen indeed”.
There was something especially powerful about gathering on Easter morning – the early light breaking through stained glass in our churches and the bells ringing out at Powick & Madresfield. In a world that often feels weighed down by uncertainty and loss, the resurrection reminds us that hope always has the final word. Thank you to everyone who prepared the churches, arranged flowers, played music, read scripture, and welcomed visitors. It takes many hands and hearts to create something so special. We also had a splendid collection for St Richards and SightSavers – amassed from our Lenten Groups, School Assembles and Sunday worship. Of particular note was a generous donation of £170 from Madresfield Primary School.
Now, as we look ahead, the journey continues. The season of Easter stretches for 50 days, culminating in Ascension and Pentecost – two events that remind us that God’s story isn’t finished. Ascension Day, which we’ll mark on Thursday 29th May, is a moment of holy mystery. Jesus leaves the disciples in body, but not in spirit. He entrusts them—and us—with the mission to be his hands and feet in the world. The Deanery will be recognising the work of our Licensed Lay Ministers across Malvern and Upton at a special service at Upton Parish Church at 7pm.
Then, just ten days later, on the 8th June, we’ll celebrate Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples, empowering them to speak boldly and live courageously. It’s sometimes called the Church’s birthday, and it’s a chance for us to think about what it means to be the Church today: not just a building, but a people sent out in love, justice, and compassion. This is poignant as the Diocese begins its Health and Vitality Assessment of each and every church across the Diocese in May. Do hold those being interviewed, on behalf of their churches in our parishes, in your prayers. Talking of Health and Vitality, I will be away for a few weeks in May as I am having surgery on that troublesome gallbladder. There is good cover for Sunday worship in place – I am so grateful for the colleagues that will be covering for me whilst I am away.
And as we reflect on the promise of new life, we also pause to remember the sacrifices of the past. Our village VE Day services on Sunday 4th May will be moments to honour the courage, endurance, and community spirit of those who lived through the Second World War. We remember not only what was lost, but what was preserved: freedom, peace, and the hope of a better world. It will be good to see you attend the Church Services at Powick and Guarlford on the 4th May. The Royal British Legion will be in attendance at Powick, and they will be marking VE Day itself on the 9th May at the Callow End War Memorial – which I hope will be renovated to good order in time.
In all of this – celebration and remembrance – we find the threads of our faith woven through daily life. Christ is risen, yes, but He also goes before us every tomorrow. As we move from Easter to Ascension and Pentecost, may we be open to the Spirit’s leading, rooted in love, and ready to bring light where it’s needed most.
With every blessing, Rev Gary