Busy Easter period for Kings Hill and the Cluster

A busy Easter period for St Gabriel’s and our wider Cluster of churches has been labelled a ‘success’ after all sorts of events attracted good crowds throughout Holy Week and the Easter weekend, and the death and resurrection of Jesus was celebrated once again.

A photo of a station at the Easter Experience in OffhamEarly in the week, David hosted an “Easter Experience” for school-children in his two parish churches of West Malling and Offham. Over 120 children took part over two days moving in groups around various stations as they considered the Easter story for themselves.

On Maundy Thursday night, Pat hosted a Seder Meal service at the Kings Hill Vicarage. Gathered on long tables, those present were able to eat together a fantastic Argentinian meal from Pat’s homeland but interspersed with some of the elements of a traditional Passover meal that shed light on Jesus’ last supper with his disciples.

A photo from the Good Friday Walk of Witness, West MallingOn Good Friday, members of St Gabriel’s were present with Christians of many other churches around our local area to do the Good Friday Walk of Witness. Around 200 people gathered at the Roman Catholic Church to walk from there, via West Malling Baptist (pictured left) and the Abbey via the High Street where our communities were prayed for to finish at St Mary’s, West Malling.

Easter sunrise service at Offham, 2015On Easter Sunday, some of us had a very early start to attend the sunrise service. An old tradition which involves conducting an act of worship outdoors waiting for the sun to rise, a group of about 30 people gathered at six in the morning at St Michael’s, Offham with a blazing brazier for company to watch and wait for the new day to dawn; symbolic of Christ’s resurrection and all the new hope he brings. Later in the day, St Gabriel’s gathered at their usual home of the Discovery School for the main Easter Sunday celebration with a good time had by all.