Reverend Alison Heal; Credit: All Saints Anglican Church in Luxembourg

Ahead of the Easter holidays and celebrations, Chronicle.lu spoke to Reverend Alison Heal, Assistant Curate at All Saints Anglican Church in Luxembourg to discuss the church's thoughts and preparations ahead of the Christian holiday.

Chronicle.lu: Easter is widely regarded as the most significant of observations in the Anglican Church's calendar. Please provide some insight as to what it means for you personally within the annual observations of the Church.

Reverend Alison Heal: Easter is the most important celebration of every church. It celebrates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe was God living among us, teaching us and showing us the Way. His death broke through all that separates humans and God. And his resurrection, which we celebrate together with all other Christians (even if on different days) is what unites us in hope and love.

Chronicle.lu: Easter Sunday’s observations are only one part of the Holy Week. Please provide some detail as to how you prepare for all of the events in the build-up to the weekend.

Reverend Alison Heal: At All Saints we have been reading the Gospel of John together throughout Lent. In Holy Week, we will focus on John's account of Jesus' trial and death. Some of us discuss what we are reading in a WhatsApp group. On Thursday evening, All Saints will meet together to share a simple meal, followed by Holy Communion and on Good Friday we will read John's account of Jesus' death with reflections from the three clergy. The service ends with an opportunity for each person to kneel to pray before the large wooden cross in our chapel.

Chronicle.lu: Having observed Easter celebrations in other countries, how do you feel the celebrations differ in Luxembourg and is there anything different in other countries from which you feel Luxembourg's Easter celebrations could benefit?

Reverend Alison Heal: I spent many years in France. I am struck by the fact that, like there, Good Friday is not a public holiday. I think this could really benefit Luxembourg's life: I do not have any illusions; most people would simply enjoy a four-day weekend and why not? But for others it could be an opportunity to spend time rediscovering the power of what Christians call "lament". So often we feel paralysed by suffering. Lament names it, acknowledges that feeling of helplessness, but then brings that suffering to God, inviting Him to act in love and power. This is what Good Friday and Easter is all about.

Chronicle.lu: The world today is in what could be regarded as a troubled place, with ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere, mental health crises from the impact of technologies such as social media and artificial intelligence, as well as the ongoing impact of climate change on everyday lives. Ahead of Easter, what message do you feel the church can communicate to help people who feel troubled by the world today?

Reverend Alison Heal: The world is particularly troubled at the moment. It is important that we recognise this and at the same time recognise God's loving authority. At All Saints we aim to talk, pray and act about what is going on: we have good and active contacts with Ukraine (through members of our congregation) and Palestine (through the Anglican churches of the West Bank).
We meet with other Christians to pray for peace, with justice, on the first Monday of each month, when the siren test sounds. The Siren Prayer is the reminder that God is in charge despite these troubled times. We pray: "Turn back the tide of all that leads towards war and conflict: may peace and justice flourish anew together amongst the rubble. As we raise our hands in prayer, strengthen them for loving action: As we raise our voices in prayer, strengthen them to speak on behalf of others."
Above all, we fix our eyes on Jesus, who defeated death. He is a certain hope in uncertain times, and he is God with us.

Full details of the Anglican Church of Luxembourg's Easter programme can be found at www.anglican.lu.

SM