In Abingdon today, congregations from the town’s different churches began Good Friday in their own buildings before coming together for a united walk of witness. The procession moved solemnly down Bury Street, led by a man carrying a cross.

The Market Place was already busy with a Farmers’ Market.

So instead of gathering in the Market Place, the crowd assembled in nearby Roysse Court, where the Salvation Army band played hymns.

There were prayers, hymns, and reflections shared by speakers from various churches.

The Salvation Army speaker emphasized that the cross represents a message of love and forgiveness, uniting the churches in their shared faith.

Following a Palm Sunday service at Trinity Church, sixteen people (some pictured here) processed around Albert Park, Abingdon. The group shared the spirit of Palm Sunday through song and by handing out palm crosses, commemorating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem at the start of Holy Week.

Here are some pictures from the blog in previous years. Palm Sunday is the Sunday when churches go outdoors and hire donkeys.

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 .