From your Parish Church
Easter Day, which comes early this year, timed as the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox, is when we commemorate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. It is described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day of his burial following his crucifixion by the Romans at Calvary c.30 AD. As a Christian festival it is more important than Christmas and comes after Maundy Thursday, when we commemorate the Last Supper, and Good Friday, which marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Easter is also the first significant holiday period since the New Year when we can refresh ourselves from the trials and tribulations of what has seemed like a long, dark and wet winter. The Bible reading set for Easter Day tells the story of Peter preaching the Good News of Jesus’s resurrection to the Gentiles: spreading the message of Jesus Christ that he is the Lord of All, out from the confines of Galilee to the rest of the World. This ultimately led to Peter’s own death by crucifixion in Rome.
This is also an important time for our parish church. Interviews for the post of Vicar took place at the end of February and we are delighted to now announce that our new vicar will be The Revd Barnabas Leeke. Hence we are looking forward with a sense of expectation to when he will join us in the Summer, and lead us and the whole community to an exciting future. Please check the website for further details in the coming weeks.
Despite the absence of a Vicar, the community of our Church has continued to go from strength to strength, reaching out with activities like the Memory Cafe, Lent Lunches and refreshments for the Half Marathon in March. We are grateful for the support we have received from everyone during this period in maintaining our momentum. During this time the Church Council has also continued progressing the plans for the Reimagining works that we started under Revd Mandy’s leadership. More details of progress should be in the next issue.
Edmund Brookes & Sheila Betts, Churchwardens
Services at St Mary & St Michael in April & May
Our 10am Sunday services are in-person and Zoomed; other services are in-person only. You can find the Zoom link here: achurchnearyou.com/church/2697
| Date | Service |
|---|---|
| Thursday 2 April, Maundy Thursday | 7.30pm Holy Communion: The Last Supper |
| Friday 3 April, Good Friday | 9.30am Walk to Grantchester Meadows for a short service by the river with Grantchester and Newnham, coffee and hot cross buns afterwards at Grantchester Village Hall 2pm Meditations on the Cross, a reflective service of readings and prayers |
| Sunday 5 April, Easter Sunday | 7am Sunrise Service on Grantchester Meadows 8.30am BCP Holy Communion 10am All Age Communion for Easter, followed by refreshments, and an egg hunt in the churchyard |
| Sunday 12 April | 8.30am BCP Holy Communion 10am Holy Communion with Junior Church |
| Sunday 19 April | 8.30am BCP Holy Communion 10am Experience & Explore 6.30pm BCP Evening Prayer |
| Sunday 26 April | 8.30am BCP Holy Communion 10am Holy Communion with Junior Church |
| Sunday 3 May | 8.30am BCP Holy Communion 10am All Age Communion |
| Sunday 10 May | 8.30am BCP Holy Communion 10am Holy Communion with Junior Church |
| Thursday 14 May, Ascension Day | 7.30pm Holy Communion |
| Sunday 17 May | 8.30am BCP Holy Communion 10am Experience & Explore 11.30am Annual Parochial Church Meeting 6.30pm BCP Evening Prayer |
| Sunday 24 May, Pentecost | 8.30am BCP Holy Communion 10am Holy Communion with Junior Church |
| Sunday 31 May, Trinity Sunday | 8.30am BCP Holy Communion 10am Holy Communion |
From the Parish Registers
| Service | Date | Name |
|---|---|---|
| Funeral at Cam Valley Crematorium | 07/01/2026 | Alice (Sally) Campbell |
Guide to our services
| Service | Description |
|---|---|
| 8.30am BCP Holy Communion | From the Book of Common Prayer: a quiet, traditional communion service. |
| 10am Holy Communion | A service using liturgy from Common Worship with hymns and music, and with Junior Church on 2nd and 4th Sundays. |
| 10am All Age Communion | A more contemporary communion service specifically for all ages. There is no Junior Church on this Sunday as the children stay for the service. |
| 10am Third Sunday Experience and Explore | An informal service without communion; it includes a talk, a time for personal reflection, activities for all ages and refreshments. |
| 6.30pm BCP Evening Prayer | Takes place on third Sundays. |