Holy Week observed across the Diocese
Parishes across the Diocese will welcome thousands of worshippers to special services over the next few days as Holy Week 2022 continues.
Many parishes put on special services on the days between Palm Sunday (yesterday) and Easter Day (17 April). Services are often now offered both in church and online.
Palm crosses were distributed yesterday. They remain hugely popular amongst the faithful as a reminder of the final events of Jesus' earthly life before his crucifixion and resurrection.
On Tuesday (12th) and Wednesday (13th) the clergy of the Diocese are invited to renew their ordination vows at Chrism Masses celebrated at All Saints, Hove. The holy oils will also be blessed and distributed to the parishes.
This year the Bishop of Chichester, Dr Martin Warner, will be with the parish of Hangleton on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday before delivering his Easter sermon in Chichester Cathedral on Easter Day.
The Bishop of Horsham, Ruth Bushyager, will join the congregation at Hurstpierpoint on Maundy Thursday. On Good Friday she will walk the Crawley Churches Together Walk of Witness and take part in a service at Furnace Green. She will celebrate Easter Day itself with the people of Christ Church, Worthing.
St Michael and All Angels, Jarvis Brook, will welcome the Bishop of Lewes, Will Hazlewood, for this year's Maundy Thursday service whilst on Good Friday Bishop Will joins the people of Chiddingly. He will lead a service of confirmation on Holy Saturday (16th) at St John the Divine, Worthing and confirm more candidates at an Easter Dawn baptism and confirmation service to be held at St Peter and St Paul, Hellingly.
Each and every church will of course this year be remembering those affected by international and national events. Foodbanks and other church-run projects are reaching out to those who have hit hard financial times and there are many Easter activities offered for children and young people.
Photo: Horsham St Mary Palm Sunday 2022