Category Archives: religion

Blessing of the Waters of the River Thames

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Blessing of the Waters
This morning St Helen’s Church began their 10:30 am service on St Helen’s Wharf. The service was the “Blessing of the Waters & festival of the Baptism of Christ”. The Blessing of the waters is an ancient tradition but this could be the first time it has been done beside the River Thames in Abingdon.
Blessing of the Waters
The service began with the congregation gathered on the wharf. They were then joined by the officiants and choir processing with the cross.
Blessing of the Waters
The Rector then greeted everybody… “Dear Friends in Christ, we gather today to celebrate the Baptism of Christ…”
Blessing of the Waters
After a hymn, some prayers, and bible readings, water was brought up from the River Thames and poured into the holy water bucket and then carried back to the church for the rest of the service.

Live Adventurously

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Live Adventurously
It is always good to see the Quakers in town. Today, just near the Market Place, their blue banner toned well.
Live Adventurously
They were giving out literature to let people know something about what they do.

Unlike most churches they have no formal hymns or prayers or sermons.  They have no priest or minister. During their meetings people sit mostly in silence. An hour of silence may sound impossible but it quickly passes.  It leads some to meditate. Others just unwind and see things differently for an hour.
Live Adventurously
Beside the bible they have a small book called ‘advice and queries’ with thoughts that The Quakers, or Friends, as they are also called, have found important over the years. One is … Live adventurously. When choices arise, do you take the way that offers the fullest opportunity for the use of your gifts in the service of God and the community?

They meet at the Abbey Centre (aka The Health and Well Being Centre off Audlett Drive) on Sunday at 10:15 for about an hour.

Experience Easter

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Experience Easter
Between March 22nd – 25th, 500 people visited Trinity Church in Abingdon to Experience Easter. Along with a series of other activities, they wrote hopes and dreams on palm crosses.

The 500 children and adults that came into the church were transported thousands of miles and thousands of years back to Jerusalem at Passover. The event was staffed by over thirty volunteers from churches all over Abingdon and run by TrinityLearning.
Experience Easter
I know one person who has not been eating chocolate during lent. Easter Sunday will  be the day she can finally break the fast.  Two days to go.

Advent Crown and Nativity Tableaus

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Advent Crown
At Trinity this morning the fourth candle on the Advent Crown was lit.  The last candle will be lit on Christmas Day.

Nativity Scene
I see in the window of Sue Ryder that there is a display with Baby Jesus in the manger.

Schools have already finished for Christmas, and last week a lot of schools will have performed nativity plays. The Abingdon Herald often has a spread of nativity pictures from all the different primary schools.
Nativity Scene
On the Market Place yesterday the Church in Abingdon offered children and animals the chance to have their picture taken as part of the nativity scene.