SUNRISE ON EASTER MORNING
 A Bonfire on the Beach, by Jim Farrer.
During the few days leading up to Easter the BBC Weather Forecasters were predicting high winds, snow and ice, and were regularly giving out weather warnings. So, it was with a mixture of hope and prayer, that on Saturday night the car was loaded with wood, fire-lighters, matches and several old newspapers.
A mobile phone with the alarm set to 4.30 a.m. was strategically placed on a wooden bedside table – surely this would be enough to ‘wake the dead’. And, of course, it did.
A quick look through the window showed no signs of the ‘white stuff’ and all appeared tranquil.
By 5.10 a.m. my wife and I were in the car and making our way to the beach. We found the appointed place, unloaded the car and started to build the bonfire. Canon Peter Burtwell, a retired Anglican priest, soon arrived. There we were - three people alone on a deserted beach waiting for something to happen. The fire was ready to light, and the application of a match (together with half a box of firelighters), soon resulted in a roaring blaze and the arrival of the first of the worshippers.
By 5.45 a.m. quite a number of people had assembled and the service began. During the service the sky started to lighten in the east. Shortly after the distribution of the bread and fish, and a reflection by Peter on the Resurrection of Christ, the rising sun was clearly visible. By this time there were in excess of 80 people all looking out to sea.
The spectacle of the rising sun was very moving and, of course, symbolic of the Risen Son.
Chris Pullen now takes up the story.
Following the service everyone present was invited to the United Reformed Church for an Agape Communion Breakfast.
About 35 chilly Christians from several Swanage churches made their way up the hill to Swanage URC, to be greeted with the smell of cooked bacon and a hot drink.
The tables had been laid for breakfast, with a white cloth and night lights at each place.
Peter Burtwell led us in a simple service of celebration, in which we gave thanks for the Resurrection, as we lit a Paschal Candle in the centre of the table, and from which everyone’s night light was lit, to represent the sharing of the light and love of Christ.
We then joined in a simple act of Communion round the table with the words ‘The joy of the Resurrection be with you’ to which the reply ‘and also with you’ was said as we served each other with Easter biscuits and red grape juice.
Cereal, porridge and bacon rolls were then served, following which we shared in a prayer of commitment, and a blessing.
It was the first time we had experienced an Agape meal, and several who were there said how moved they had been by the service, and that they hoped we would do it again.
If you are interested in seeing the order of service we used, you are very welcome to download it, together with a service sheet, from our web site.