To mark Jim Jones’ retirement from some 27 years of faithful service as a server (and all the other ways in which he has helped behind the scenes), it was decided to commission a new Paschal candlestick as the wrought iron one was rusting and showing its age.
Members of the congregation donated towards the cost and Ian Cole generously donated his time and wood-turning skills. Ian’s piece on designing and making the candlestick is elsewhere in this magazine. The candlestick was blessed on Palm Sunday but remained empty until the Easter Vigil when the 2025/26 Paschal candle was placed in it, having been lit from the Easter fire (built by Jim). If you have not been into the Abbey recently, come in and see!
“The tree will be taken down after Candlemas and reappear in a different form in the not-too-distant future. Watch this space!”
In less than two months the tree has morphed from a decorative symbol of celebration for the birth of Christ to a reminder of His sacrifice.
The cross will remain in place until Pentecost (8 June), a stark reminder of the meaning of Lent and Easter. How will we allow this Lent to transform us?
Have you noticed the new facility on the Abbey website? If not, have a look at https://bourneabbey.uk , select the menu in the top right of the screen and click on ‘Calendar’ (under the’ News’ heading).
This will bring up a screen showing the current month and its events. To select a future or previous month, click on the right- or left-facing white arrow on the black background.
The calendar is colour-coded. Hover over a particular entry and more information about the event, when available, will appear in a grey and white block – see ‘Nibble and Natter’ in the example below. (The clarity of the left-hand illustration below is not as clear as it might be, but rest assured that it will present in focus on your PC or tablet!)
PC and tablet presentationPhone presentation
The calendar is work in progress, so please bear with us while the information is entered – it is not a quick task! Constructive feedback is welcome at info@bourneabbey.uk .
Although we are familiar with the carol ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’, and may remove our trees and decorations by Twelfth Night to avoid bad luck, the church’s Christmas season lasts from the birth of Jesus (Christmas Day) through Epiphany (6 January), which celebrates the manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles (non-Jews) represented by the Magi, and ends with Candlemas (2 February), which commemorates the presentation of Christ in the temple. As the Luke’s Gospel records (ch. 2, vv. 22-23 & 28-32, NSRV):
“When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’).”
“Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, ‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
It is therefore appropriate to retain the tree until 2 February, albeit with differences. Can you spot them? If the quality of the printing allows, you may be able to see that the coloured decorations and coloured lights visible in the left-hand photo are not present in the right-hand one, leaving only silver and white baubles and lights.
Before …After …
The tree will be taken down after Candlemas and reappear in a different form in the not-too-distant future. Watch this space!
