Lent & Easter 2024

Photo credit: Howard Hill

Special services and events for Lent are listed here. For the Lent Course and other resources to support your spiritual life, this Lent and throughout the year please see the Spiritual Resources page.

SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE PARTY

Tuesday 13 February, 7pm / 7.30pm at Holy Trinity Charlton

ShPrepare for the start of Lent with a service of Holy Communion at 7pm followed by Pancakes from 7.30 onwards, as well as the burning of last year’s palm crosses to make the Ash Wednesday ash.

ASH WEDNESDAY

Wednesday 14 February

9.30am Eucharist at Holy Trinity Charlton

7pm  Choral Eucharist at the Parish Church

There will be the opportunity at both services to receive the 'imposition of ashes' on the forehead as a sign of penitence.

MESSY CHURCH: HIDDEN TREASURE!

Saturday 24 February, 2 - 3.45pm at the Parish Church

Activities, refreshments and worship for all the family. Pre-booking advised (free) on Ticketsource

FRIDAYS: CHORAL COMPLINE

Fridays at 9 pm in the Parish Church 16 Feb - 22 March 

End the day and the week with this contemplative choral service from the monastic tradition.

SUNDAYS AT SIX

each Sunday at 6 pm in the Parish Church

18 February Stations of the Cross

25 February Stations of the Cross with poetry from the metaphysical poets, John Donne and George Herbert

3 March Choral Evensong with the Parish Choir

10 March Alternative Mothering Sunday for those who find this day difficult

17 March Improvisations of the Cross with organist John Ridgway

24 March Tenebrae: Music for Passiontide with the Parish Choir

HOLY WEEK

Sunday 24 March: Palm Sunday

"Your king will come to you riding on a donkey"

8am Eucharist at the Parish Church

10am starting in the Market Place for a joint celebration with other local churches, with music from Wantage Silver Band and a four-footed special guest from the donkey sanctuary!

Whole Parish service this day - no separate service in Holy Trinity

6pm Music for Passiontide at the Parish Church

Monday 25 March

2pm: Stations of the Cross at the Convent of The Community of St Mary the Virgin, Denchworth Road.

Meditating on the carvings created by Sr Maribel, followed by refreshments.

Thursday 28 March: Maundy Thursday

"I give you a new commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you"

8 pm Liturgy of the Lord's Supper at the Parish Church

In this service we remember Jesus' last supper with his friends, at which he washed their feet. As Jesus spent his last night in prayer at the Garden of Gethsemane, so the church will remain open until midnight for any who wish to stay and pray in silence.

Friday 29 March: Good Friday

"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do"

Walking the Way of the Cross in partnership with other local churches:

Gather in Kingsgrove Square at 10.30am to walk together, stopping for times of worship and reflection at Kingsgrove, Holy Trinity Charlton, St John Vianney Catholic Church, Wantage Methodist Church and Wantage Market Place, arriving in time for parish events (below)

Parish Church:

1 pm Hot Cross Buns in the churchyard

1.30 pm Liturgy of Good Friday

The biblical accounts tell us Jesus was on the cross for three hours, ending with his death at 3pm. We will hear a sung version of the Passion story, as we both grieve and celebrate what Christ accomplished on the Cross.

The daytime of Holy Saturday is observed as a time of silence and mourning.

30 March: Easter Eve

"Christ is Risen! Alleluia!"

10 pm Easter Vigil (until midnight) at the Parish Church

Starting outside with the lighting of the ‘new fire’ bonfire and the Paschal Candle, as we joyfully acclaim the triumph of light and life.

31 March: Easter Day

8 am Mass of the Dawn at the Parish Church

9.15 am Easter Day Eucharist at Holy Trinity

10.30 am Festal Eucharist with baptisms at the Parish Church followed by Easter Egg Hunt!