CHURCHES across Wokingham borough held a series of special services and events to mark Holy Week.
They started on Palm Sunday, remembering when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Among those holding processions were St Paul’s, which met in the junior school before heading to the Reading Road church.
Members of All Saints were locked out of the primary school, so gathered further up Norreys Avenue for their walk. Heading the procession was a donkey.
On Maundy Thursday, among the special services remember the events of the night when Jesus was arrested, members of St Paul’s and All Saints were joined by students from Westcott House Theological College in Cambridge to set up a shoe-cleaning stall in Market Place.
For two hours, they offered to clean anyone’s shoes for free.
They were doing so to remember the example set by Jesus, who washed the feet of his disciples before calling on them to do the same for others.
As well as cleaning over 25 pairs of shoes, they handed out free sweets and Palm Crosses and talked about the events of the first Easter.
The Revd Canon Richard Lamey, rector of St Paul’s, said: “We were really humbled by how many people were willing to stop, and by how quickly people were willing to have some really in-depth and honest conversations.
“Some people wanted to ask what we were doing. Some people wanted to just chat. Some people wanted to talk about their own faith journey.
“Some people took a bag of sweets and a Palm Cross as they went past.
“And some people really, really needed their shoes cleaning.
He added: “It was really good fun. It was good to be doing something different, unexpected. And we got to have some really moving and important conversations we wouldn’t have had otherwise.
“We will definitely be back next year.”
On Good Friday, churches held a variety of activities in their own buildings, with both Wokingham Methodist Church and St Paul’s holding craft sessions for families.
There was also a procession of a large wooden cross from Wokingham Methodist Church in Rose Street to Corpus Christi Church in Sturges Road. Accompanied by church leaders and members, there was a gathering in Market Place at noon.
Organised by Churches Together in Wokingham, people sang the hymns When I Survey The Wondrous Cross, and Amazing Grace.
On Holy Saturday, St Andrew’s in Sonning held its annual Easter fun day, with a barbecue, egg and spoon races and other festivities. A similar event was held in Woodley Baptist Church.
