Easter 2024 – what’s happening in and around the Diocese of Gloucester

Just some of the special events happening over Holy Week and Easter in the Diocese of Gloucester (24 to 31 March)

Check achurchnearyou.com for your local church’s events.

Throughout the Easter period

Little Lamb Adventure Trail and family craft

Venue and time: Gloucester Cathedral, 23 March to 7 April (excluding Good Friday, 7 April)

Description: Larry the Lamb has lost his friends and needs your help to find them. Discover the history of this beautiful space, while taking part in this fun family-friendly trail this spring.

‘Easter through the ages’ free family craft activities, which includes Medieval Easter egg decorating, making a Victorian Easter Card and taking part in a Tudor feast, are also being held in the Chapter House on 26 and 27 March, and 2 and 3 April between 11am and 3.30pm. No booking required.

Palm Sunday, 24 March

Palm Sunday Eucharist

Venue and time: Gloucester Cathedral, 10.15am

Description: On Palm Sunday, we celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, while the crowds waved palm branches and shouted “Hosanna!” Palm Sunday is a time of mixed sentiment because, although triumphal, it precedes the marking of events which led to the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus.

Monday, 25 March

Easter Escape Room

Venue and time: St Michael’s Church, Bishop’s Cleeve

Description: Do you fancy yourself as a super sleuth? Can you crack the code? In this free escape room activity you’ll need to work as a team to use the decoders to find the code to open the box. This is a fun event for families, best suited for children aged 8+, maximum group size 6. Please book online https://forms.gle/dTkWYBvQimPBGCHX8 or email ku.oc1733535593.evee1733535593lcspo1733535593hsibs1733535593leahc1733535593imts@1733535593stteb1733535593l1733535593.

Tuesday, 26 March

Eco Messy Easter

Venue and time: St James’ Church, Quedgeley, 1pm to 3pm

Description: Bring your coat and wellies for an Eco Messy Easter session at St James’. Afternoon snack provided but if you have intolerances or allergies please bring your own food.

Eggciting Easter

Venue and time: St Peter’s Church, Framilode, 10.30am to 12.30pm

Description: Exciting Holy Week activities. Children, please bring a family ‘grown up’ with you. Free light lunch. No need to book.

Wednesday, 27 March

Sportily Easter Active Games Day, Forest of Dean

Venue and time: Blakeney Youth Club, Cinderford Road, Blakeney, GL15 4AZ, 10am to 2pm

Description: Join the Sportily crew for a mix of sports and games, ensuring non-stop movement and endless excitement for every child. Throughout the day, they will draw inspiration from the Christian faith, weaving reflections into the fabric of the activities. It’s not just about play; it’s about discovering passion, building skills, and embracing the joy of movement. For other Sportily Easter holiday camps, visit: Let the games begin! Easter adventures at Sportily

Maundy Thursday, 28 March

Diocesan Chrism Eucharist and Watch

Venue and time: Gloucester Cathedral, 7.30pm

Description: All are welcome at this service, where we remember the Last Supper, and when Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples before being betrayed and arrested. During the meal, Jesus took and blessed bread and wine and shared them with his disciples, calling the bread and wine his body and blood. He urged the disciples to do the same after his death in memory of him, which Christians have done ever since at Holy Communion.

Good Friday, 29 March

The Preaching of the Cross

Venue and time: Gloucester Cathedral, 12 noon

Description: All are welcome at the Cathedral on Good Friday, when we remember the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Dr Sanjee Perera, cognitive psychologist and theologian, will deliver four meditations on the meaning of the cross on Good Friday and to explore the dappled shade of Grace between doubt and faith.

Easter eggsplorers

Venue and time: St Barnabas Church Hall, 10am to 12pm

Description: Eggsplore the Easter story by recreating it from the tasty treats we all enjoy eating so much. Make people and places, animals and objects using Easter eggs, sweets, chocolate bars and biscuits as building blocks. And when you’re done, you can take home everything you’ve made and eat it! It doesn’t cost anything and it doesn’t matter how old are you are, so bring along your family and friends to join the fun. Please book by emailing ku.gb1733535593ts@fy1733535593c1733535593

Holy Saturday, 30 March

Easter liturgy

Venue: Tewkesbury Abbey, 8pm

Description: Bring your whistles and bells to make some noise at the Easter Eve Liturgy service at Tewkesbury Abbey. The Easter Liturgy marks the end of the emptiness of Holy Saturday, and leads into the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. The singing of the Exsultet, the ancient hymn of triumph and rejoicing, links this night of our Christian redemption to the Passover night of Israel’s redemption out of Egypt. The Easter Liturgy was from early Christian times a preferred occasion for baptism. The Easter Gospel is proclaimed with all the joy
and splendour that the church can find.

Easter Sunday, 31 March

Sunrise bonfire service

Venue: Cross Meadow Campsite Field, The Christian Adventure Centre, Viney Hill, starts 5am

Description: Gather round the campfire as you wait for the rising of the Son on Easter Day. Share in thanksgiving through open and informal prayer, or sit quiet in reflection. Finishing with hot drinks and hot cross buns. Drop an email to gro.e1733535593rutne1733535593vdall1733535593ihyen1733535593iv@ar1733535593abrab1733535593 if you’d like to come, to help with numbers for catering. Everybody is welcome.