Jesus said: “I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).

The days between Ascension and Pentecost are a powerful time in the Church’s year—a time for looking up to Jesus as the one installed as the Lord of our world and then waiting for his power, the gift of his Holy Spirit.

This year—helped by the fact that it does not coincide with school half term—we have the opportunity to celebrate this special season in several ways:

Our Ascension Day Communion service will be on Thursday 9 May in St Swithun’s, Martyr Worthy—starting at 08.30am and followed by some coffee and croissants in the Village Hall.

On Sunday 12 May we have Bishop David joining us for two guest services:

at 11.00am in Itchen Abbas Village Hall

and at 3.00pm in St Mary’s Easton 

And on Pentecost Sunday there will be our 10.00am Parish Communion at St Swithun’s Marty Worthy, as well as a more reflective service at St John’s, Itchen Abbas, at 6.00pm—giving us an opportunity to ‘wait’ upon the Lord.

Finally, these 10 days are also a time of prayer and waiting for God’s Spirit all around the Anglican Communion: Bishop David and many others have been involved in this programme, called the ‘Thy Kingdom Come’, for many years. He has given us 40 copies of a Booklet and of a Prayer Journal, both of which can be used to guide us in our personal prayers—and especially as we pray for five other people to come to know Christ in their lives. If you are interested in this great idea, please do collect your own Booklet and Prayer Journal either after church on Sunday or from the Parish Office next week—some time before Thursday! (Fuller details at: https://www.thykingdomcome.global/new-2024)

How will you celebrate these special ten days?

With love and prayers