On Sunday, 23rd March 2025, the Church of Our Lady & St Edmund hosted Abingdon-on-Thames’ Civic Service for the year 2024/25. Led by the Mayor, Councillor Gabby Barody, the service celebrated inclusivity and community groups.

The Civic Party entered to “Crowded Table” by The Highwomen. Father Jamie McGrath opened the proceedings with prayers, followed by a welcome from the Mayor. Reflections were shared by the Mayor’s multi-faith and humanist chaplains: Deacon Selina Nisbett, Dr Hamid Al Shejni, and Pat Winslow (read on her behalf by the Mayor). The church choir performed Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer.

The Mayor introduced local groups making a difference, including Host Abingdon, Pranic Healing, Thames Valley Roller Skating Club, Abingdon Breastfeeding Café, and Open Doors.

Thank you to Martin Wackenier for the photographs.

Trinity Learning has a number of workshops for children aged 7 to 11 telling the Easter Story. Thousands of children have enjoyed these workshops since they started back in 2010. This week around 200 children are visiting Trinity church with about 160 more taking part online.

Trinity church has been laid out to show the different scenes. The children gather outside in the welcome area and are then led into the church with the exciting sounds of praise as Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a Donkey. They take part in the last supper where Jesus washed the disciples feet, onto the crucifixion where Jesus gave his life and then his resurrection.

Storytellers from different churches in Abingdon take children through the scenes which are part story and part interaction – like washing hands (instead of feet), sharing bread, and making beaded strings to think of people who are going through a difficult time.

They learn about important things like hope (even when things are hard), and caring about other people’s feelings. The Trinity Learning website is at https://trinitylearning.org.uk/. To request a password to watch the videos, email: nic.trinitylearning@gmail.com .

This Sunday afternoon, a packed congregation gathered at St. Helen’s Church, Abingdon, to hear the Rev. Dr. Charles Miller deliver his farewell sermon. The service, held on the Feast of All Saints, was a moving occasion as Rev. Miller reflected on the many lives that had touched his own during his 18 years at the church, and many who have already gone to join the saints.

In his sermon, Rev. Miller shared his plans for retirement, quoting the words of a revered medieval mystic: “Make yourself small.” As I understand that, his intention is to embrace a simpler life. He emphasised the importance of childlike faith and a receptive heart to God.

The service was enhanced by the beautiful singing of the choir (including the Sanctus from Faure’s Requiem) and concluded with a communion service, where the bread and wine were distributed at three places to accommodate the large congregation.

Following the service, refreshments were served, providing an opportunity for parishioners and friends to express their thanks and well-wishes to Rev. Miller. In recent weeks, he has been visiting housebound parishioners to bid farewell personally.

During the interim period before a new rector is appointed, others in the church will carry more responsibilities. We send our best wishes for his retirement, but there is still a chance some of us will see him before the removal van arrives on the 11th. He is often to be seen in Abingdon town centre.

The spirit of faith and community was alive in the Abbey Gardens on Saturday, June 22nd, as the 2024 Abingdon Passion Play unfolded. Standing on the hallowed ground where St Mary’s, The Abbey Church, once stood, the production offered a fresh perspective on the story of Jesus. This was the fourth Abingdon Passion Play, and each has told the same story differently.

Blessed with sunshine, the lunchtime and late afternoon productions saw audiences settle down to watch, some with their foldable seats and picnics. Two women, seated at a cafe set on the stage, asked questions we all might ask watching the drama.

The play didn’t rush straight into the events of the Passion. Instead, it began with a procession, with Jesus (with white hair), his disciples, and a crowd of cheering children and adults in front.

The music, a collaboration between orchestra and choir, added to the moving scenes, under the direction of Sally Meers, who also arranged much of the score.

Before witnessing the Passion itself, the audience was reminded of Jesus’ miracles. We saw the sick healed, and the moment of the feeding of the 5,000. Jesus sent disciples into the audience, just as they did with the crowd, asking if anyone had food. A child’s lunchbox became the catalyst for a miracle that fed a multitude.

As the story progressed, the play explored the rising tension. Jesus’ act of clearing traders from the temple angered the authorities, who plotted his demise.

We witnessed the Last Supper,

the solitary prayer in Gethsemane strengthened by an angel’s presence,

the betrayal,

the trials,

Jesus carrying the cross,

and ultimately, the crucifixion and death of Jesus at Calvary.

The two women returned to a transformed cafe, bearing the words “Under New Management.” Hope returned as the disciples discovered the empty tomb. A waiter, unrecognized as the resurrected Jesus, approached the women, offering them drinks and the promise of new life.

This production was a result of the tireless efforts of all involved. The spirit of ecumenism shone, with each Abingdon church contributing spaces and volunteers. The result was a deeply moving play, witnessed by an estimated 1,200 people across two performances.

The 2024 Abingdon Passion Play served as a powerful reminder of the enduring power of faith, the strength of community, and the transformative message of Jesus’ life and sacrifice.