The Revd Mark Dimond, Team Rector at Kings Lynn Minster explains more:
It has been two years since the beginning of the Covid pandemic. Many people have lost loved ones, been ill or suffered from anxiety as a result of Covid.
It is not entirely clear how far normal life and business can resume, especially now as the economy is likely to take a further hit from the crisis in Ukraine.
The role of the Minster at King’s Lynn, as with any church, is to bring some kind of spiritual balance in our lives, where ultimately Jesus is there whatever the circumstances. Jesus told us to hold our nerve when war and pestilence strike (Matthew 24). Jesus also told us to hang onto hope.
With this in mind, in agreement with the High Sheriff, Michael Gurney DL, the Minster is organising a service entitled ‘Thanks and Hope’ on Sunday 27 March at 2.30pm. This is a chance for the community to take stock of the last two years, to give thanks to those volunteers who have helped others in difficult times and also to support the young generation in their hopes for the future.
Normally King’s Lynn Minster has held a Justice Service, but in these exceptional times it is deemed important to recognise the bonding of community.
Civic and community representatives will attend the service, which will include prayers, singing and reflection. The service will be on Mothering Sunday, symbolic perhaps of the element of care. As the Ukrainian crisis continues, we have been using the sculpture ‘Refugee’ as a focal point for people to reflect. The sculpture shows a mother shielding a child, not dissimilar to the Virgin Mary cradling Jesus. In a deeply troubled world, care and compassion are in greater need than ever.