Evening Prayer, Sunday 14th April 2024 - How We Know the Resurrection Was Real!

Welcome to the Garden Congregation KZbin Channel!
Thank you for joining us!
This Second Sunday of Easter join Dean Robert ("The Green Dean") and partner Fletcher - and Lilly! - at the cottage of friends' in Shropshire. This service follows lightly on the back of the morning mass in Bromfield as Dean Robert continues his focus on the appearances of Christ after Easter.
(Please forgive the sound issues in the broadcast - when we left Canterbury we asked Chapter if we might purchase the camcorder we used for the 26months of broadcasting each day but sadly this was refused; hearing of this and being very upset by it, one of our lovely members of staff bought a beautiful replacement one which we treasure more than we can say because of the kindness and thought behind it but which sadly has one or two issues which we hope to iron out!)
The Garden Congregation:
When the Archbishop decided to close all churches to their clergy because of the Covid pandemic in March 2020, in addition and separately to the closure of churches to their congregations - which did make sense to stop the spread of the virus - the then Dean, Robert Willis, although not governed by the Archbishop (Deans of medieval cathedrals are crown appointments and sit outside of the church and are effectively on the same level as their bishop to serve as a check and balance to them), decided that out of loyalty to his fellow clergy he would also stop broadcasting from inside the cathedral. Instead he and his partner Fletcher held a daily communion inside the cathedral each day in a rotation of different chapels to ensure the tradition of a daily service which dates back to the time of Augustine was upheld and unbroken and also took to filming daily services in their garden through to May 2022. Usually joined each day by at least one of their cats (Monkey, Lilly, Tiger or Leo) and a whole host of their own menagerie from pigs and chickens to hedgehogs and newts and whilst sitting in the gardens through all seasons, this is a wonderful way to switch off and meditate whilst listening to a mix of poetry, recitals, current affairs, music - and of course the daily psalms and readings from the bible which are then explored and unpicked by Dean Robert. The original intention by Fletcher was to connect with "one or two members of our community who might be feeling lonely" and they could not have known that they would in fact connect with hundreds of thousands of people of all faiths and none from every part of the world who named themselves the Garden Congregation. Although initially the broadcasts were all on the cathedral website and other platforms, when they were unexpectedly caused to leave Canterbury Fletcher transferred their films to this new site so that they might still be enjoyed by anyone in the future.
SUBSCRIBE: Please be sure to subscribe to the channel by clicking on the "Subscribe" icon, which will ensure that you can find the broadcasts easily in future OR BY CLICKING ON THIS LINK HERE / @gardencongregation sub_confirmation=1 - this is absolutely free and is just a way of you bookmarking the site and it also helps us to have more functions on KZbin which will make our service to you even better (so get as many of your friends and family to subscribe as you are able!).
Thank you again for visiting this Channel and we hope that you will enjoy the films if this is your first time here - and if so then welcome to the Garden Congregation!
For Evening Prayer Dean Robert uses the Church of England book, “Common Worship Daily Prayer 2005” (Church House publishing). The bible is the English Standard Version (Collins), and occasionally - though always stated - Dean Robert uses the New Revised Standard Version or the King James.

[@michellezoppa4132]

I was thrilled to find new Morning and Evening Prayer on the Garden Congregation KZbin Channel. I watched faithfully during the pandemic and beyond. My heart is happy once again and I have something to look forward to each day. I am grateful.

[@mspocahontas46]

Thank you for an inspirational evening prayer with you. Your words are so needed in this sad world.

[@jeangerow7177]

I love praying with Dean Robert in the English countryside. You know it's special when Lily joins in. I pray that Dean Robert and Fletcher will continue morning or evening prayers as they feel able to do so.

[@christinesimpkin570]

Such a beautiful setting for prayers and gospel words. It was lovely to see Lily too; it was evident she was in her element. Thank you Dean Robert and Fletcher, it is very special to have the privilege of these Evening Prayers 🙏🕊️🕯️

[@105robmajor]

Thank You, Dean Robert. During my time of receiving treatment for colon cancer, I find your prayers and discussion so comforting. After you were required to retire from your position at Canterbury, I was so sad thinking we might never hear from you again. I revisited all your morning prayers and that was always comforting. Now that you have returned to do new morning and evening prayers, I am so grateful. God Bless.

[@vhughes7651]

Praying for your healing

[@jacquelined-s4535]

Thank You so much for this beautiful and up lifting Evening prayer.

[@herbertabennett5493]

What a lovely surprise. With a new visit with Dean Robert, for our prayers & thanksgivings. For me is a special time. A beautiful gift to God by made by Fletchers gifts. The best part of our journey in life is always the unexpected surprise’s. God bless to all The Garden Congregation, Dean Robert & Fletcher.Amen

[@brendacollingwood788]

Thank you once again Dean Robert and Fletcher for a lovely evening prayer. Bless you both.

[@adriennebeecker5000]

How lovely to hear Evening Prayer, one of the most beautiful services in this fresh, pastoral, scene.. “Let us pray with one heart and mind”. To hear Dean Emeritus Robert Willis’ voice is a rich blessing to us along with Fletcher’s awesome photography.

[@gloriangarner9146]

The beauty of the words spoken against the beauty of your country fills me with overwhelming joy. Thank you for this blessing

[@yvonnefarrell1029]

Thank you, Dean Robert, Fletcher, Lilly and your hosts for sending us this great blessing today, Friday in Eastertide!

[@lindaweber698]

Oh this evening prayer was wonderful. Lily, the lambs bleating in the background…a great way, the best way to start my day with morning prayer. Thank you both. ❤❤

[@chashart9287]

Thank you to the “Green Dean” and Fletcher!

[@joannebonneville5196]

How lovely to listen to Evening Prayer from the green English countryside. Hearing Dean Robert's voice is always a comfort and listening to his message on the resurrection both in the Sunday sermon and this service have brought me joy. Thank you for these broadcasts.

[@maryfilippou6667]

I really appreciate all your work and time on our behalf.

[@janethammond3856]

Thank you so much for a wonderful EP, Dean Robert and Fletcher. So beautiful where you are staying. Great to see Lilly again. Looking forward to the next episode morning or evening.! 🙏🙏🐱🐑🐈‍⬛

[@betht60]

I am so grateful for your morning and evening prayers. I started watching in 2021 and have missed you both since your leaving Canterbury. It's morning here in the Eastern U.S., but very early so a wonderful time for reflection and prayer. God has given you both a gift and it is lovely that you share it with the world.

[@joannejohnson]

Thank you, Dean Robert 10:04 , for planning and presenting this evening prayer, which has been very encouraging, and Fletcher. Thank you for your filming in the beautiful countryside. It's lovely to see Lily she is beautiful . It such a joy to have the Garden Congregation I have learnt so much about the scriptures the way Dean Robert explains things

[@deborahc9033]

Lovely to have you both back for Prayer, & Lily too!🙏

[@catherineloxton5727]

What a beautiful setting in rural Shropshire ... very well constructed thirty minutes of filming with a most welcome visit from Lilly ... so good to see her in natural lighting at last, as the cats have been photographed indoors in yellow lighting in Kent! She looks so well down by the old tree and babbling brook ... just like old times two years' ago ... lovely Easter reflection, Dean Robert and Fletcher, thank you so much once again ... 💜🎥📸🌳🐾🐾🐈🐑🐑🐈🐾🐾🌳📸🎥💜 ...

[@margaretinsydney3856]

Another lovely surprise! What a beautiful setting, especially that magical tree. Thank you both for bringing this service to us. And hi to Lilly.

[@dalemac614]

Thank you both for coming back and giving us some time it warms my soul, and it’s much needed. Our flock is without a shepard and the stress of being on our vestry during this time is becoming overwhelming.

[@susandumbrell3315]

Doctors have led me on merry dance this week This evening prayer centres me Such a simple sharing of prayers a reality to bring a sense of the link between heaven and earth May we share these gospel with our fellows Thank you for remembering us in Australia. Many are in shock at two frenzied attacks in a couple of days We are a peaceful nation. May we be forgiven as we forgive our enemies SueD in Australia

[@carolingimundson1392]

Solovely to have this evening prayer

[@drewk3402]

Thank you for including the page numbers from Daily Prayer! You both, DR and Fletcher, are Evangelists to the Garden Congregation and you both bring wonderful gifts to us all - Dean Robert through scripture and his insights to the readings and you, Fletcher, through your beautiful photography and videos and all of the lengthy behind-the-scenes work it takes to produce and upload each video. Blessings to you both!

[@janeclarke1006]

Thank you once again for your lovely filming and your words explaining so well, and thus helping me understand the teaching for Easter. I love the music from the Messiah and really enjoyed what you said about hearing the words in music! What a beautiful setting to hear evening prayer. Thanks so much.

[@elizabethtallman3280]

I was just reading last night 1Samuel 23:16, "And Soul's son Jonathan went to David at Jordan and helped him find strength in God." It made me reflect on how many times friends have helped me to find strength in God and how I need to do that for others. I have found even a smile or kind word means so much to others.I really want to concentrate on doing that more.

[@jessiemacintosh6627]

Thank you for that message.

[@Ghandi2nd]

It is good to see you, and Lily, again.

[@cheleatsiu5438]

How wonderful to join-in for evening prayer with you and to see Lilli! Thank you!

[@susandumbrell3315]

In my frazzled week this is blessing So much appreciated SueD in Australia

[@janethelder1454]

Thank you 🙏

[@lyntomkins1624]

Your words reached me here in Australia at my evening time and it was wonderful to hear your message. It’s Friday 19th April God bless you both🇦🇺

[@JeanWaller-ox1mb]

Absolutely wonderful to have you giving us prayers again, you are sorely missed. Lovely to see Lily, how are the cats… Tiger??

[@gloriagarrison8055]

Thank you so much from Cincinnati

[@dyddgu23]

This is wonderful... thank you so much 🙏 It's like old times in the Deanery garden and it's so lovely to see one of the cats again. Fabulous photography too!

[@tracygarcia7379]

Thank you Dean Robert and Fletcher. Dean Robert, please let me share my story with you. I started watching your morning prayers a few years ago and because of your cat Leo disappearing through your clothes and other personal reasons I joined the Anglican Church. I love my church (Village Church) and I love being an Anglican. I am sorry, I don’t not have your email but I appreciate you letting me share my story here. I am also happy to see you and Fletcher on Your tube.

[@GardenCongregation]

Good Morning Tracy, thank you for reaching out! If you would like, do ping your phone number through to my personal email address - [e-mail] - and we'll give you a call back, we'd love to be in touch and hear more of your story if you'd like?

[@IOSALive]

Garden Congregation, This made me laugh so hard, thanks for sharing!

[@RichardHolmes-dt5ug]

Thank you for EP.

[@virginiaminella9081]

...And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn...

[@maryannehibbard5686]

Wanted to assure you the sound issues will not deter us from listening and learning and worshipping in fellowship. We are sad for your likely frustrations with equipment. God bless you and your ministry amongst us.

[@keiththompson9575]

THE SOUND TRACK IS MARRED WITH SO MANY "SCRATCHY" SOUNDS AS TO RENDER THIS DEVOTION UNLISTENABLE. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. I TRIED IT ON PHONE, COMPUTER AND TV--ALL WERE CONSISTENT IN THEIR FRUSTRATING AMBIENT SOUNDS. PLEASE CHECK WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT AND SOLVE IT QUICKLY! PLEASE! THANK YOU.

[@celestialvoices4531]

So wonderful to awaken to your prayers with the lovely scene in Schroppshire. Thank you for the lambs and the babbling brook. Bless you!