Pupils experienced Easter at village church
CHILDREN from local schools were given the chance to experience Easter at All Saints Church in East Meon.
The pupils from Years 3, 4 and 5 from West Meon C of E Primary School and Years 4 and 5 from East Meon C of E Primary journeyed through Holy Week as they engaged with six stations.
Interactive activities helped them to reflect on what happened on Palm Sunday, at the last supper, and in the Garden of Gethsemane. They had a chance to think about Jesus’s crucifixion and then celebrated the resurrection.
Each station was staffed by a member of the congregation from East Meon church, who was able to draw the children into each aspect of the story. The first five stations were done in smaller groups, and the children then came together to rejoice at the resurrection station.
Everyone then enjoyed hot cross buns and mini-eggs in the church rooms.
Pupil Indie Pullen said: “We were able to reflect and feel sympathy for Jesus. We considered many areas of his life, particularly his final days on Earth.
“We learnt about the last supper and the symbolism of the bread and the wine, representing Jesus' body and blood. This shows the sacrifice that he made, giving his life for us.
“We reflected in the garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus was betrayed, alone and afraid. We remembered times when we had felt like this.
“We learnt lots throughout the afternoon and were glad to know that the story has a happy ending, with the resurrection - Jesus is alive!”
And fellow pupil Joey Smith said: “There were six stations in total - every area showed a part of Jesus' life. I liked when Jesus washed his follower's feet - helping us to remember to be like servants, looking after others before ourselves.
“The last supper was a reflective time, Jesus taught us to remember him by eating the bread and drinking the wine as symbols of his body and blood.
“I remember the Garden of Gethsemane, where we made figures of times when we had felt alone, or afraid, just like Jesus had.
“We learnt that Jesus was crucified on the cross and left to die there. This area was called the cross of sorrows. We remembered others who were experiencing hard times and asked God to be with them.
“The whole afternoon was a special time, where we could reflect and remember this special Easter time.”