Boxford CEVC Primary School

March 22nd 2016

Last week, the whole school took to The Spinney in Boxford for an Easter Service with a difference! Having spent the half term learning about the importance of the Easter Story for Christians (both through R.E. and in Collective Worship) we set out to re-enact the Stations of the Cross outside.

On a beautiful late-winter's morning, Rev. Judith and Rev. Tricia led us through Jesus' experiences in the build-up to his crucifixion and resurrection. Getting an eye-witness view of events, our students formed the crowds of onlookers and were asked to imagine how they might have felt throughout the events. Through the re-enactments, children explored how they - and Jesus - might have felt at:

• The Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus asked his friends to stay watch while he prayed to God knowing what was going to happen to him. He returned to find his friends sleeping and asked "Couldn't you watch for one hour?" How might Jesus have been feeling at this moment - alone and in need of his friend's support?
• The Trial: Jesus was captured and put on trial by Pontius Pilate. Although he was initially freed by Pilate for having "done nothing wrong" the crowds protested angrily at the verdict and convinced the judge to reconsider. As a result, Jesus was dressed as a 'mock king' and made fun of before being taken away to be crucified. If you were Pilate, how hard would it have been to stick to your original judgement in the face of pressure from others?
• The Way of the Cross: Jesus was handed his cross for crucifixion and made to walk through the crowds of Jerusalem. Some jeered him and others hoped for intervention from God. When Jesus became too tired to carry his cross, a stranger names Simon stepped in to carry it for him. Would you have been brave enough to come to the help of Jesus, even though it meant stepping out infront of the angry crowds?
• The Crucifixion: Jesus was raised up on the cross infront of the crowds that included his mother, Mary. He prayed to God and asked him to "forgive them, for they do not understand what they are doing." How might you have felt if you were a supporter of Jesus at this moment? Why might the crowds have been feeling angry at him? Do you think you could have forgiven like Jesus did?
• The Resurrection: At the tomb, Mary and other women visited to anoint Jesus' body only to find it gone! Two angels appeared, announcing "Jesus has come back to life." As the women ran into Jesus, they saw him with their own eyes. "It's true! You're alive!" How would you have felt to be faced with Jesus like this? How might you have told your friends about this miracle?

​We thank all of our many parent volunteers for joining us on this lively and thought provoking morning. Children returned to their classes to reflect on their new perspective of the Easter Story.

Of course, we must thank Rev. Judith and Rev. Tricia for planning and delivering such a vibrant Service this Easter!