Living in interesting times St Peter’s Church The magazine deadline reminder to regular contributors in mid March produced the usual flurry of emails with copy to include; 72 hours later, the Thorner with cancellation emails started to arrive. The rapid changes in the situation in late March mean that now we find ourselves in very different and very Parish Magazine uncertain circumstances. The one constant, though, is the neighbourliness of the village and people’s willingness to help one another. Within 24 hours April 2020 of ThornerCares asking for volunteers, nearly 50 people had responded. Now over 150 volunteers have registered, and shopping and prescription collection needs are being met promptly and efficiently. If you or someone you know in the village is in need of support, do contact ThornerCares at [email protected] or on 0113 880 5255. Its website at www.thornercares.co.uk also links to the latest information about the GP surgery and prescription ordering and collection, other local services, local suppliers and alternative church services. In late March ThornerCares twice circulated leaflets to every house in Thorner setting out what support it is offering. It cannot circulate more leaflets without putting distributors at risk, so all updates are now via its website or the Thorner Facebook page. If you have a family member, friend or neighbour who does not have internet access, please encourage them to provide ThornerCares with their phone number so that they can receive future updates. Prescription ordering and collection arrangements in particular keep changing. We are all having to learn new ways of approaching our usual tasks and communications – thank goodness for the internet! In just two weeks, the church services have gone onto YouTube, various ThornerCares volunteers have joined WhatsApp, the quiz has experimented with going virtual, the Post Box Deli now has a website for orders, etc! If you know someone with internet access who could be making more use of it, do encourage them to take the plunge – for most people, it is going to be isolation and/or boredom that are more of a problem during the lockdown than coronavirus. IT expertise abounds in the village and there will always be someone who can help, eg a few ThornerCares volunteers specified that they could help with setting up Skype. The need to keep shopping trips now to a minimum and as local as possible is being met by our local businesses. They have really stepped up to the mark with expanded stock, takeaway meals and delivery to those unable to

collect. Details can be found at www.thornercares.co.uk and in notices Church services, etc throughout this issue. Do support them – they are all going the extra mile to support us. Like all places of worship, St Peter’s Church, Thorner Methodist Church and St Edward’s RC Church in Clifford have had to close in line with government Helping others and the moving experience of volunteering are the themes restrictions. Sunday and other regular services in church been therefore of Beckie Briggs’ article, WYDAN and me. The return of the WYDAN been suspended, but alternatives are available and are listed below. shelter at Scholes, planned for May, has had to be postponed because of coronavirus, but it will be rearranged for a later date. Baptisms, weddings and confirmations have had to be postponed until it is safe to hold services. Funerals may still be held, but the government has Finally, please hold in your thoughts over the coming month all medical restricted the number who may attend graveside ceremonies. and other NHS staff caring for the sick; the food producers, suppliers and retailers keeping us fed; the other key workers we are depending on; the St Peter’s churchyard remains open, but visitors need to observe social teachers minding the children of key workers; and all those, professionals distancing in the churchyard. and volunteers, working to ameliorate the practical difficulties, anxieties The vicar, Andy Nicholson, is available for conversation or help on 0113 289 and social isolation of their family, friends, colleagues and neighbours in 2437. these challenging times. Local alternative services, etc Hilary Marsden The Elmete Trinity Benefice, of which St Peter’s is a part, has set up a YouTube channel. Services, reflections, etc are posted regularly on the Feed the Need Kitchen channel, with links circulated to church members by email and posted on Mark Darley is using the Victory Hall kitchen to provide lunches and the Thorner Facebook page. If you would like to be notified by email when dinners for the less able, those at high risk and older residents. These hot new material is posted on the channel, please email the vicar at meals are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Lunch orders should be [email protected] placed by 11am and dinner orders by 4pm. Meals can be ordered online Alan Stanley, one of the benefice’s lay readers, is holding a ‘dial-in’ prayer at www.dishestodinefor.co.uk/thorner or by phoning 07802 482075. service at 10am on Sundays (c.20–30 mins) and Wednesdays (c.15 mins), primarily for those without internet access. Foodbanks To join in these conference calls: Foodbanks have had to close their premises, but the need for their  from a landline, dial 0844 473 7373; or from a UK mobile dial 8 7373 (or services is greater than ever as some people suddenly find themselves from an O2 mobile, dial 98 7373). without jobs and children who qualified for free school meals are no  when prompted, enter the group PIN 716 416 and then record your longer at school. name and the conference call can begin. People in Thorner who need help should contact the foodbank (NB Charges are: landlines 5.8p/min. + VAT + your phone provider’s access at [email protected] or on 07840 455725, which at present charge; mobiles 12.5p/min. + VAT. Estimated costs are c.£2+ on Sundays (April 3) is operating as usual. and c.£1 on Wednesdays.) Contact Alan on 0113 281 2769 if you need help. Some supermarkets have collection points for donations of food and pet The collects and readings for Sundays in April and for Maundy Thursday, food, but a very welcome alternative would be financial support. You can Good Friday and Easter Eve are given at the end of this issue. donate: St Edward’s RC Church, Clifford, is live-streaming mass on Sundays at 11am,  at www.leedssouthandeast.foodbank.org.uk Saturdays at 6pm, weekdays at the times shown on the website.  in the name ‘ Foodbank’ using the ‘My Donate’ website

 when you shop online by joining www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/leedssouthfood

Other alternative services The year’s mind at St Peter’s The Church of website has prayers for the day and streamed Each Sunday in the prayers at St Peter’s church, we remember those who services every Sunday. have died in the week of the anniversary of their death. The list of those To access the Leeds Diocese’s monthly newsletter online; click here. remembered is being updated. If you would like a relative of yours to The Methodist Church website lists churches providing live-streamed remain on the list or to be added to the list, please download the form from Sunday services. the homepage of the Thorner Church website and return the completed The Roman Catholic diocese of Leeds website is live-streaming daily mass form to the Secretary to the PCC. and devotions. Listening to the other voices Taking part in alternative services Over the next few months we hope to publish articles by members of the One opportunity of lock-down and having to find alternative ways of three benefice congregations (Thorner, Barwick and Scholes) telling how being church is that people become involved whose voices we might not God has impacted on their lives over the past years. These voices are otherwise hear. The benefice YouTube channel is posting reflections by important to hear, to remind us that God is at work in all of our lives if we lay people who it has been encouraging to develop their leadership gifts. allow him in. This first article is written by Beckie Briggs from St Philip’s It is always wanting to encourage more people to develop their spiritual Church, Scholes, who was the coordinator of the WYDAN shelter in autumn gifts, and if you would like to be added to the group of people offering 2019. short reflections on the Bible passage of the day, please contact the vicar Blessings at [email protected] Andy

WYDAN and me This time last year the churches in Barwick, Scholes and Thorner were invited to find out about a project that had been going on in Garforth and Crossgates for a couple of years. I must admit, as a busy mum and full-time

teacher, I did not have the spare couple of hours to go and listen to a Thorner’s own deli and shop speaker, so I didn’t. But then I heard people talking and saw how enthusiastic Rev. Andy was Stocking essential groceries and there was a real buzz of excitement in a church meeting – a rare and greengroceries occurrence! So, I investigated and discovered a project that would allow the Bread, milk, eggs, cheese, cold meat, Church to do what it does best: welcome those in desperate need with no home-baked cakes and savouries strings attached. By the end of the meeting I had agreed to coordinate the Fruit and veg boxes and meat to order WYDAN shelter. Home deliveries The shelter is for destitute asylum-seekers in West and is the only Order online at https://earfood.co.uk one of its kind offering shelter to men. Woman and children have access to other support and shelters. Having worked in Harehills and lived in Kenya, (by 11am, two days in advance) this was a mission close to my heart. I say mission because I truly felt this or at [email protected] / 0113 289 3888 was what God was calling me to do, to welcome those who have absolutely nothing and simply be kind and share. It was a mission because it would

take dedication and hard work to get everything organised as well as Throughout the week I was at the shelter, every day. I ate the most mean stepping out of my comfort zone. I had never done anything like delicious food and was inspired by the bravest men I have ever met. I am this before and nor had the church embarked on such a mission in our humbled by the commitment of members of the church and from local villages before. The project involved emergency glaziers, 97 hard-boiled villagers. I think the most inspiring meetings have been with residents, who eggs and looking for false teeth in a dustbin, but it was the most amazing had very little connection with the churches themselves but due to the experience for myself and my young family. negativity on social media about the Shelter they felt called to action. Those When I volunteered to take on the organising of a volunteer rota, I residents, who wanted to show that Scholes village is welcoming and kind thought it would be difficult to recruit the volunteers and get other and respectful, included an unnamed lady who turned up with a gift bag for people enthusiastic about the Shelter. I knew it would take up time but each guest filled with plasters, tissues, teddy bear and hand warmers. No ultimately it was just going to be a spreadsheet with a few names on it. connection with the church and still an unknown stranger who went out of Little did I know then that I would meet so many new people, both from her way to help strangers. The power of social media calling her into action. churches across all three villages and local people who just wanted to help The challenge set by Christ is to love everybody as a neighbour. By hosting a in any way they could. shelter for WYDAN we showed that kindness and friendship knows no Each week there were new donations of toiletries, hats, gloves, socks. bounds and that will stay with me for a very long time and inspire me Each time I put out a notice with a new request for donations, within through our future involvement with this charity. hours the request was filled – tinned fish, nuts and eggs came flooding in. I will close with the words of one of the guests who felt so welcomed and We had clothing and food donations daily, right up until the final day of respected and loved: ‘You are just an ordinary person standing next to me the shelter. The guests were super-appreciative of new, warm clothing for but your deeds … wow ... your deeds are what make you extraordinary. And the cold weather – so thank you very much for all your donations. It may that is your faith.’ have been unloved by you, but you have spread love with your simple acts Beckie Briggs of kindness and amazing generosity. Residents from across our villages helped to clean, set up beds, donated food, cooked copious amounts of food, made cups of tea, delivered fresh bread daily, spent time doing jigsaws, talked, listened, debated about The Fox politics, and shared the love of Jesus through their simple words and actions. Hot evening meals delivered Throughout the week I saw a community working together to show what See the menu on the Fox Facebook page it means to live in a supportive, caring community. I saw strangers being Orders by 4pm; cash payment only Order by phone 0113 289 2489 welcomed and respected. I saw the church step out of its comfort zone The Mexborough Arms and reach out to residents to help make this project a success. Shop At times it was the most challenging project I have been involved with. Open: Mon–Sat 5–6.45pm, Sun 12–2pm Hot meals daily Anger, fear and a lack of information can be scary, and words can be so Tinned food, cleaning products, loo rolls, 12–2pm, 5–8pm hurtful and damaging. But words can also heal, and actions always speak fresh food, including fruit and veg boxes to order See the menu on the Facebook page louder than the words we use. Phone 0113 289 2489 for deliveries Christ gave the Church a mission to reach out – to reach out to the lost Orders 1 hour in advance and lonely, to reach out to those in need, regardless of colour or religion – Phone 0113 289 3863 and to expect nothing in return. During the week of hosting the Shelter I saw that mission being fulfilled.

Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem augment the garrison in the ortress of Antonia, beside the Temple Mount. This is probably the location of the ‘common hall’ (Matthew 27 v.27; Mark All four gospels place Jesus’ trial before Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem. The 15 v.16), ‘called the Praetorium’ (Mark 15 v.16). But Roman records sense of Jerusalem as the great city of Judaea is strongly present indicate that governors visiting Jerusalem normally stayed in Herod’s throughout the gospels. And after questioning Jesus themselves, the Chief palace, the site of which has been confirmed by recent excavation as lying Priest and other Jewish leaders were easily able to go to Pilate and beneath a corner of the Tower of David on the opposite side of the city demand that he pass the sentence of death. So we might think that’s from the Temple, although this was no distance in absolute terms: the old where Pontius Pilate normally would be located, as the Roman governor city was not large. Undoubtedly, though, wherever he stayed in Jerusalem of Judaea. Not so. He was there only because it was the Passover, and his at this sensitive time, Pilate would have felt vulnerable, and that fed into purpose in being present was to enforce order. So it’s perhaps not the dynamics of his encounter with the Jews and his consequent decisions. surprising that he comes across as suspicious of what the Jewish religious Joyce Hill leaders might be up to, and anxious not to take the risk of refusing outright what they and the clamouring crowd were demanding. Passover was the major Jewish festival each year and pilgrims travelled to Jerusalem for it from all over Judaea. For the occupying power, this was threatening enough in itself: crowds are difficult to manage, particularly when assembling to celebrate a defining aspect of their religious and national identity. But Passover – originally a festival of thanksgiving for the spring’s ‘first fruits’ – was also, supremely, the celebration of the Israelites’ divine release from slavery in Egypt. This historical association made Passover a serious threat from the Roman point of view: the crowds might also be inflamed by the story of release from oppression. What if this crystallised into an uprising against the oppression of the Romans, who, furthermore, held religious views that were anathema to the Jews? Mostly, the Romans kept the Jewish authorities at arms-length. They installed a non-Jewish puppet dynasty (the Herodians); and they controlled the appointment of the Chief Priest (Pontius Pilate retained Caiaphas as the High Priest for the whole of his governorship of c.10 years, suggesting he was another puppet figure). Otherwise, as long as they did not cause trouble, the Jews were allowed to get on with their own religious affairs, and the governor largely left Jerusalem to them. Jerusalem was not the capital of the Roman province. From the time of the conquest of Judaea, their capital had been established at the port of Caesarea Maritima, about 60 miles north-west of Jerusalem. This was where the governor usually carried out his judicial and financial responsibilities and the headquarters of his detachment of soldiers, who could be deployed as a kind of armed police. It was only at times of high risk that the governor would be present in Jerusalem, probably accompanied by a small force to provide personal protection and to

Studies have shown that they can use up to 2,000 feathers in a nest, and in collecting all their materials, need to fly some 600 miles. All this nest-building requires time and energy, so providing nesting material can help, as well as giving you a chance to see them collecting it. You may be surprised when you see which species choose your garden to nest in. You can leave nesting material out for birds in many ways: maybe The Birds in Your Garden using a peanut or suet feeder, or leave it in piles around the garden, or By now, the nesting season is well into its swing, and if you keep your eyes hang it from trees. Try several different methods to find the best for your peeled throughout April, you may well see evidence of (some!) birds’ garden. remarkable workmanship around you. Avoid using any material whose source you are not sure of, or anything that Most birds only take a few days to build a nest, and instinctively build has been treated with pesticides or fertilisers. Be careful too with pet hair – them to a design that is unique to their species. Few garden birds are don’t use it after flea or worm treatments. Moss raked from your lawn is ground-nesting, only using a scrape. good too, as long as you have not treated it first. If you put out wool or cotton, cut it into lengths no more than a couple of inches long, to avoid Rooks have already been building for a while, and you may have seen entanglement. Never put out any plastic materials; they can harm both their untidy nests at the top of various still-bare trees. They start by birds and the environment. collecting sticks and dropping them on the branches they have chosen as their home, often the remains of a previous nest. To begin with some House martins, song thrushes and blackbirds use mud in the construction of twigs will drop through, so look out below, but gradually they lodge in the their nests, so a small, wet, muddy patch in your garden may make it easier tree and a rather unruly nest begins to form. Being on the large side, they for them, particularly if the weather has been dry. can afford to nest where they can be seen, but most birds are much more If you find the lives of our garden birds to be of interest, and would like to secretive about it. join in and count the feathered occupants of your garden, please contact Birds are usually cautious when approaching their nest site, and you may me (07596 366342 or [email protected]) or visit the BTO Garden see them stopping to check they are not being observed before they BirdWatch website (www.bto.org/gbw). plunge into a hedge, bird box or shrub. However, there is a limit to how Mike Gray subtle a bird with grass and moss in its beak can be! Blackbirds, robins and song thrushes build nests in the ‘classic design’ – neat cups of woven grasses and small twigs, camouflaged with moss and The Mexborough Arms lined with mud. Chaffinches nest in tree forks and use cobwebs to stick the nest in place. You may see them flitting around fences and window Hot meals daily frames, picking off webs. Spiders are of great importance to birds in spring; not only are they food for adults and chicks, but their webs are an 12– 2pm, 5–8pm essential ingredient of many nests. See the menu on the Facebook page Long-tailed tits make the most intricate and delicate of all our garden Orders 1 hour in advance birds’ nests – which they couldn’t do without spiders. They spend three Phone 0113 289 3863 weeks creating their pouch-shaped luxury home, beginning with a cup and dome of moss stuck together with cobwebs. Next comes lichen on the outside for camouflage, and finally a filling of feathers for insulation.

Local information Thorner Bowling Club: contact Derek Potter ……...……...……….…..... 289 2055 Thorner Community Choir: contact Pat Smith ..………...... 289 2205 GP practice Thorner Community Fund: contact …. [email protected] Thorner Surgery, Main Street, Thorner ….….….…………………… closed at present Thorner Cricket Club: contact Alastair Foster ……….……………..……... 289 2566 Church View Surgery, School Lane, Collingham … appointments 01937 222841 Thorner Film Club: contact Val Forster ……………………...... … 289 2758 open Mon-Fri 8am–1pm, 2pm–6.30pm ………..... [email protected] Thorner Historical Society: contact Gwen Brown …………...………..... 289 3372 Police: Wetherby Police: general number ….…………….….…..…………….. 285 5360 Thorner Old School Charity: ………. [email protected] Thorner and Scarcroft: PCSO 942 Geoff Nottingham…….….……………… 285 5360 Thorner Produce Society: contact Michele Firth ……...... 289 2430 Pressing but non-emergency matters ….…..………….……….………..………………. 101 Thorner Tennis Club: contact Adrian Joyce ………...…………...…..…….. 289 3499 Housing: Wetherby office …………………………………………..…….…... 01937 582706 Thorner Walking Club: contact Steven Wood ………..….……………..... 289 3121 DSS office: Southern House, 529 York Road, Leeds 9 ………....…...….... 240 6611 Scarcroft Thorner Scarcroft Village website ………………………………………….. www.scarcroft.org ThornerCares website ……..………0113 880 5255 / www.thornercares.co.uk Scarcroft Parish Council meetings suspended at present Thorner Facebook page …………..…..… www.facebook.com/groups/thorner Chair: Breeda Murray …………………………….……………...... 289 2737 Thorner Village website …….…….……………………. www.thornervillage.org.uk Clerk: Rebecca Crabtree … [email protected] / 0419 730422 St Peter’s Church website …………..………………… www.thornerchurch.org.uk Mobile library: service suspended at present.………………………….... 247 6016 Thorner Parish Council meetings suspended at present Women’s Institute meetings suspended at present Chairman: Scott Marshall …………………..……………………….…………..….…. 289 2973 Contact Diane Eshelby…………………………….……………..……………….... 289 2155 Clerk: Barry Riley ….………....…….. 264 0865 / [email protected] Bardsey Voluntary Carers Lifts, prescription collections, etc Mobile library service suspended at present ………………………………….. 247 6016 Contact Pauline Hills …….…………………………………….…………...… 01937 573083 Post Office services ……………………… ……. www.postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder Mobile fish & chips: The Village Chippy ………….. service suspended at present Scarcroft Parish Council Over 60s Association: contact Jason Falk ………..…….………………..…..... 289 3850 Royal British Legion: Secretary, Paul Oldfield .…………....……………….... 289 3210 There will be no Scarcroft Parish Council meetings until further notice. Village Visiting Scheme contact ThornerCares during epidemic Information about coronavirus measures and links to organisations offering Thorner Church of England Primary School support can be found on the Facebook page for Scarcroft Parish Council. School Office, Kirkhills, LS14 3JD ………………………………….…………………. 289 2541 The Council produces an annual report reflecting the activities and financial Mums & Tots Group meetings suspended at present position of the Parish Council for the preceding financial year. The report will Contact Lizzie Waddington …………………………..………….……………... 07932 716016 be available to view on the Parish Council website and Facebook page shortly. Youth Club (age 8–13) meetings suspended at present Contact Belinda Swift …….…………...... 289 2946 Beavers (age 6–8), Cubs (age 8–10), Scouts (age 10–14) meetings suspended at present ………………………...... [email protected] Brownies meetings suspended at present …...... 07795 545858 Probus Club: contact Jason Falk ….…………………..….…...... 289 3850 Thorner Afternoon Badminton Club: contact Rosie Cooke …...…..……289 2351 Thorner Art Group: contact Ada Percy ..………………….……………... 01937 572941 Thorner Boule and Community Facility ….……..…………... contact Parish Council

Who’s Who @ St Peter’s Church Collects and readings for April Church website: www.thornerchurch.org.uk Sun 5 April – Palm Sunday Rector: Andy Nicholson [email protected] / 289 2437 Collect Almighty and everlasting God, who in your tender love towards Curate: Bob Bailey [email protected] / 260 7721 the human race sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take Rector’s PA: Simon Belcher [email protected] upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross: grant Churchwardens that we may follow the example of his patience and humility, Elisabeth Stephens, 23 The Old Mill, Scott Lane,W’by LS22 6NB 01937 580971 and also be partakers of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ Simon Belcher, Redcroft, St John’s Avenue, LS14 3BZ 289 3254 your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity Deputy Churchwarden of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Glynis Webster, Roseville, Kensington Avenue, Thorner LS14 3EH 289 2532 Readings Philippians 2:5–11 Organist and Choirmaster (Choir practice: suspended until church reopened) Matthew 26:14–27:66 David Lindley, 5 Skippon Terrace, Carr Lane, Thorner LS14 3HA 289 2313 Thur 9 April – Maundy Thursday Master of the Ringers (Bellringing practice: suspended until church reopened) Collect God our Father, you have invited us to share in the supper Michael Brereton, Moat Cottage, 4 Church View, Thorner LS14 3ED 289 2458 which your Son gave to his Church to proclaim his death until he Secretary of the PCC comes: may he nourish us by his presence, and unite us in his Sue Hayward-Giles [email protected] / 289 6944 love; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Treasurer of the PCC Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Jonathan Graham, Churchlands, Church Hill, Thorner LS14 3EG 289 3324 Readings 1 Corinthians 11.23–26 Stewardship Recorder John 13.1–17,31b–35 Julian Levick, 9 The Close, Thorner LS14 3EF 289 2461 Gift Aid Secretary Fri 10 April – Good Friday Anne Wroe, 4 Willow Garth Avenue, Leeds LS14 2DY 273 2969 Collect Almighty Father, look with mercy on this your family for which Electoral Roll Officer our Lord Jesus Christ was content to be betrayed and given up Rita Marsden, 7 St Peter’s Garth, Thorner LS14 3EE 289 2715 into the hands of sinners and to suffer death upon the cross; Sunday School & Tea Services who is alive and glorified with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Susan Graham, Churchlands, Church Hill, Thorner LS14 3EG 289 3324 Readings Hebrews 10.16–25 or Hebrews 4.14–16;5.7–9 Wedding arrangements: Bridget Lindley 289 2313 Home Communions Co-ordinator John 18.1–19.42 Revd Alan Haigh, 4 The Paddock, Thorner LS14 3JB 289 2870 Sat 11 April – Easter Eve PCC committee chairs/contacts: Collect Grant, Lord, that we who are baptised into the death of your Fabric & Churchyard: Jon Waddington 289 3492 Son our Saviour Jesus Christ may continually put to death our Finance & Stewardship: Jonathan Graham 289 3324 evil desires and be buried with him; and that through the grave Outreach: Jenny Gibson 289 3260 and gate of death we may pass to our joyful resurrection; Social: Ann Stokoe 289 2217 through his merits, who died and was buried and rose again for Parish Magazine us, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Editor: Hilary Marsden [email protected] / 201 7144 Readings 1 Peter 4.1–8 Distribution:Thorner: [email protected] / 201 7144 Matthew 27.57–66 or John 19.38–42 Scarcroft: Graham Shayler, 11 Thorner Lane, LS14 3AW

Sunday 12 April – Easter Day Collect Lord of all life and power, who through the mighty resurrection of your Son overcame the old order of sin and death to make all things new in him: grant that we, being dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ, may reign with him in glory; to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be praise and honour, glory and might, now and in all eternity, Amen. Readings Acts 10:34–43 Matthew 28:1–10 Sunday 19 April – Second Sunday of Easter Collect Almighty Father, you have given your only Son to die for our sins and to rise again for our justification: grant us so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness that we may always serve you in pureness of living and truth; through the merits of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever, Amen. Readings Acts 2:14a, 22–32 John 20:19–31 Sunday 26 April – Third Sunday of Easter Collect Almighty Father, who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples with the sight of the risen Lord: give us such knowledge of his presence with us, that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life and serve you continually in righteousness and truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever, Amen. Readings Acts 2:14a, 36–41 Luke 24:13–35