This week in the western Christian calendar is Holy Week, when we particularly remember the journey Jesus took which led to his execution. After that we celebrate Easter, a festival which recalls the transforming new life which followed.

There is a transformation going on in the building this Easter here at Central, with the start of work on the Basement Central project downstairs. But we are also remembering our Christian stories of transformation, of that journey which Jesus took, of his public humiliation and execution – and the transformation of human life which followed. Our gathering together over the next few days will be focused on the following services:

Maundy Thursday (28th March) at 7.30pm: a contemplative service with Bible readings recalling Jesus’s last days and a symbolic putting out of candles. This service will be held in the halls rather than the main chapel – you can get in via the side door to the right of the main entrance. We will be particularly welcoming friends from St Columba’s URC at this service but (of course) anyone is welcome to come and hear the stories and reflect on what they might mean to us all today. The service will be led by Revd Graham Carter.

Good Friday (29th March) at 7.30pm: we will be joining in the united service of witness at York Minster.

Easter Day (31st March): three services to celebrate the good news of new life offered to us by God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. There’ll be an early service at 8.30 am (led by Paul Carter), followed by breakfast together. Our normal Sunday morning service at 10.30 will be an Easter communion led by our own minister, Revd Chris Humble. There will also be an evening service at 6.30, led by Ralph Frankland. Remember that the clocks will have gone forward during the night before Easter Day!

As always, anyone is welcome to come and join us to worship, to hear the old stories and listen for good news for today, or just to see what we’re about.

Today marks the start of work on a project with St Michael-le-Belfrey in the basement here at Central, transforming part of the building into a centre for young people.  Teams coordinated by the Belfrey are working over the next couple of weeks to clear and decorate two of the rooms; to follow progress, have a look at their blog by clicking here.

In 1753 John Wesley (one of the founders of Methodism) said, “So wickedly, devilishly false is that common objection, ‘They are poor, only because they are idle’.” Yet today church-goers and the general public alike are willing to believe that the key factors driving poverty in the UK are the personal failings of the poor – especially ‘idleness’.

The Methodist Church, along with Baptist, URC and Church of Scotland partners, has produced a report which lays bare six myths about the poor which enable the majority to live with the comfortable assumption that both poverty and wealth are deserved.

As a city-centre church which hosts a project for the homeless run by people from many different churches we see what poverty can do in 21st century Britain. Please read the report – and act on it.

Click here to find out more.

As part of York’s annual Residents’ Festival, Central will be open from 11 till 4 on Saturday, 26th January.  You’ll be very welcome to pop in and have a look around the chapel; some of us will be around to answer any questions you may have.  We hope to have a number of organists playing during the day too, so it’s an opportunity to hear what is generally regarded as one of the best organs in the city.

There’s no need to book in advance and you don’t even have to be a resident!

Our annual Christmas carol service will be on Wednesday, 19th December at 7pm.  We’ll be singing some well-known carols such as Once in royal David’s city and Hark the herald angels sing.  Everyone is welcome so please feel free to come along and join us to hear the story of Christmas in music and readings.