CHRISTIANS from across Reading are preparing to mark the events of the first Easter with a range of activities.
On Maundy Thursday, March 28, The Gate church will be in Forbury Gardens presenting The Reading Passion between 6pm and 8pm. This is a new production by RISE Theatre, and will depict the key moments of the first Holy Week, performed by a cast of four professional actors.
One actor will play Jesus and with the other three playing multiple characters in what they hope will be an emotionally impactful performance.
On Good Friday, March 29, there will be a number of services and special events.
At 11am, there is a Reserved Sacrament service at Reading Minster church in Chain Street. This hour-long service will be live streamed.
There will be a gathering outside Marks & Spencer from noon organised by Churches Together in Reading. This short devotional service will be led by the group’s chair, Michael Penny.
Music will come from the Reading Central Salvation Army, and Abbey Baptist Church’s minister, the Revd Julia Binney, will give an Easter message.
Then, from 1.30pm, The Gate church is holding another performance of The Reading Passion in Forbury Gardens.
Churches across the town will take part in Walks of Witness on Good Friday.
In East Reading there is a Walk of Witness starting at 9.40am at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church and taking in Earley St Peter’s Church of England, Anderson Baptist Church, Park United Reformed Church and ending at Wycliffe Baptist Church.
In Southcote, the gathering will start from 10am at Southcote Family Church.
At 10.30am, there is a Walk of Witness from Caversham Baptist Church organised by Churches Together in Caversham. At the same time, St Margaret’s Church in Mapledurham is holding a Stations of the Cross event.
St Peter’s Church in Caversham is holding a three-hour time of reflection between noon and 3pm, with reflections led by the Bishop of Reading, the Rt Revd Olivia Graham.
On Holy Saturday, March 30, The Gate is returning to Forbury Gardens for an afternoon that includes a bring-your-own picnic, a passion play, and a concert. The event runs from noon to 4.30pm.
The Church St Giles in Reading is inviting people to join its solemn liturgy at 3pm on Good Friday, with an Easter vigil service from 9pm on Holy Saturday. It will hold a parish mass on Easter Sunday at 10.30am.
Easter Sunday celebrations include the annual open-air service in Forbury Gardens.
Starting at 8am, it will be led by Michael Penny, Chair of Churches Together in Reading, and feature the Band of Reading Central Salvation Army.
The Easter message will be given by Major Adrian Maddern of Reading Central Salvation Army on his last day serving the community in Reading, as he and his wife are moving on.
If wet, this service will be held in Abbey Baptist Church.
