Every year, the collection on Good Friday is given to the Anglican Board of Mission to support ministry in the Holy Land. This is called the Good Friday Gift. It is an ancient custom to support the church in the Holy Land on Good Friday. This year, we are not able to take up such a collection, so please take a moment to make an online donation to the Good Friday Gift. Just click here and enter your details.

Focal shelf
Before bed on Thursday, or first thing on Friday, clear your space. Put items away and clean the shelf. When the time is right, place an empty cross on the table. You could make one from sticks in your yard, or out of paper. Good Friday is stark and empty, and your space today will contrast with the celebration of Easter Day.

Meal
For your meal today, you may want to observe the custom of avoiding red meat. This can be an act of devotion which honours Jesus’ broken body.

 It is customary to eat Hot Cross Buns on Good Friday (even though they are in the shops from Boxing Day!). Here is a short prayer to say before stuffing your face.

 A Prayer For The Scoffing of Hot Cross Buns
Today, Lord Jesus, we remember the cross.
A cruel and evil way to die.
May the cross which marks this bun
remind us that there is too much cruelty and evil in the world.

 Today, Lord Jesus, we celebrate your victory.
The powers of darkness thought they had won,
but the light could not be extinguished.
May the sweetness of these buns
remind us that death and despair will not have the final word.

 Today, Lord Jesus, we cherish your church - all those who lift high the cross.
May this sweet feast and the people around us
remind us that we are called to lives of generosity and justice.

 Today, Lord Jesus,
we remember and celebrate you. Amen.

Inner Life
Today is a day to sit with the story of Jesus’ passion and death. If you can, join with the parish for our prayer and shared reading of the passion narrative via Zoom. Or, fetch your bible and read John 18:1 – 19:42 for yourself.