Rev David Warner column: Remembering past Whit Friday celebrations

Reverend David Warner, the Vicar of Mossley, reflects on happier Whit Friday times and suggests ways you can mark the occasion this year.

On May 28, we would have been celebrating Whit Friday.

It’s sad we can’t do this again in the usual ways, but again this year we’re encouraging people to share photos and videos (which they have permission for) from years past, so we can recall this special event and also start to get ourselves ready for a massive celebration on Whit Friday, June 10, 2022!

On the market ground in Mossley, where we usually meet for worship before our walks, a cross will be chalked on the ground, and all are invited to come and leave flowers as an act of witness - a sign of life going on, and that we will soon be back!

One of the saddest cancellations is that of the band contest. Since I came here in 2016 this has become a massive part of the day for me and my family - like lots of families, even our dog enjoys the sound of the bands and joining in with the fun! 

The bands have only recently been able to rehearse together again, and they’ve found lots of ways to be together, thanks to technology over the past months. So many clubs, bands, charities and societies, are still unable to meet face-to-face as usual at present, and this puts all kinds of stress on people who are being denied the support and fellowship they usually enjoy. We hope for a swift return to whatever ‘normal’ will be, and that all our cherished bands, groups and others will soon be able to be fully together again. 

For this year, why not have a (social distanced) garden party, listen to some brass music and enjoy a celebration with neighbours? And of course you can also visit one of our local cafés or pubs and support them, as they begin to recover from past months and the difficulties we have all endured. Whit Friday is a day to be together, whatever the conditions, in some way all of us can know we are held and cherished in our communities.

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