Dear friends,
As we journey once again through Holy Week and into the joy of Easter, we find ourselves reflecting on the profound mystery of life, death, and resurrection. In a world that so often feels divided, uncertain, and weighed down by suffering, the story of Christ’s passion and triumph may indeed speak to us with a renewed sense of urgency.
We can often pass by Holy Week, forgetting that it serves as a reminder that Jesus knew the depths of our pain, betrayal, injustice, and loss. He stood in solidarity with the marginalized, spoke truth to those in power, and walked the path of love even when it led to the cross. In Jesus suffering, we see our own struggles mirrored; the cries of the oppressed, the wounds of a planet in crisis, and the longing for justice, reconciliation and peace.
Then Easter comes. And with it, the radical proclamation that death does not have the final word, ever! As we have been discovering in our Lent Course, love is stronger than hatred, hope greater than despair, and peace more enduring than violence. The resurrection is not just a value to be believed, but a reality to be lived and a path to be walked. It calls us to be agents of change towards peace in a conflicted world, agents of hope in troubled times, and builders of a more just, hopeful and compassionate society.
As we celebrate Easter, we also welcome the arrival of spring, my favourite time of year. With the sound of mowers, its bright blossoms, longer and, we pray, warmer days, and the sense of renewal it brings. The natural world reflects the Easter story, reminding us that life persists even after the harshness of winter. Birds sing again, trees bud with new growth, and the warmth of the sun invites us to step forward with joy. This season calls us to embrace the possibility of new beginnings, not only in nature but in our own hearts and communities.
Let us then, be Easter people, outrageous in our love, generous in our forgiveness, and unwavering in our hope. The empty tomb is God’s promise that transformation is possible, that light will break through darkness, and that new life will always emerge where love leads the way, good to remember as we work to build up our Church, trying new patterns of worship and seeking to engage with our communities in new and exciting ways. One of which is the new breakfast service, to be held in the Ruishton Inn, beginning on Sunday 27th April.
In the meantime, may this season fill you with renewed faith, deep peace, and the courage to bring Easter’s joy love and peace into the world.
It would be wonderful to see you at our Easter Services, the details of which you can find in our special Easter Poster.
Revd. Lee