The Bishops of Birmingham and Leicester and the Dean of Peterborough are among senior clergy preparing to roll up their sleeves and cassocks today to clean and polish the shoes of dozens of office workers in towns and cities across the country.
The church figures are getting ready to buff the footwear of passers-by in a symbolic act echoing Jesus’ washing of his disciples’ feet on the night of the Last Supper, before his trial and crucifixion which are commemorated on Good Friday.
The Bishop of Birmingham, the Rt Rev David Urquhart, said: “The shoe shine is just a small demonstration that people who follow Jesus are prepared to roll up their sleeves and serve their communities.
"During my Lent visits around the diocese, I have been very pleased to meet many wonderful people whose faith inspires them to serve those around them in that which transform both communities and individual lives.”
Throughout the day, many cathedrals will host a special ‘Chrism Eucharist’. Church of England clergy from across the diocese will gather to renew their ordination vows, and the bishop will bless the oils which priests use to anoint the sick and dying and those used during baptism.
Tonight, thousands of churches will hold evening Communion services commemorating the Last Supper. In many churches this includes a re-enactment of Jesus’ washing of his disciples’ feet and, at the end of the service, the altar and sanctuary are stripped in preparation for the sombre liturgy of Good Friday.
This morning’s initiatives of symbolic yet practical service coincide with the recommended action for Maundy Thursday in the Church of England’s Love Life Live Lent campaign. The interactive project aims to share recommended actions to make the world a better place in small and simple ways.
