Easter Message from Rev Gary

Dear Friends,

‘Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!’

 As I sit down to write this Easter letter, I am reliably informed, by the daffodils and tulips, that spring has officially arrived. It doesn’t feel like it to me - with the wind blowing and sleet falling, though it is a sunny, blue sky day. Daffodils, with their open faces, seem to lean toward the light as if they’ve been waiting for it. Tulips hold themselves with a kind of gentle confidence, each one unfolding in its own time. Together, they create a quiet chorus of renewal.

 Easter always falls in the springtime of the year. It speaks of new life, of hope that persists even after the longest winters both in nature and in ourselves. The flowers around us become more than decoration; they feel like living symbols. Not just of spring, but of resilience.

At the heart of our Easter celebrations is the crucified Jesus Christ, whose resurrection from the tomb brings the truest kind of new life. A reminder that even after the darkest of days, faith helps us to be resilient and life, hope, and love have the final word.

The Vicarage garden has been doing its own quiet preaching. The daffodils have burst forth with great enthusiasm while the tulips are taking a more measured, dignified approach. But that is the beauty of Easter. New life doesn’t rush us. It meets us where we are. Whether we feel more like a fully blooming daffodil full of the joys of spring or a tulip still deciding if it’s worth the effort.

Through the risen Jesus, we are reminded that new life is always possible, no matter how long the winter has felt. If we firmly believe and trust in Jesus the light of the world our lives can radically change for the better. So, this Easter, may you find hope in small things: a patch of sunlight, a stubborn flower pushing through, or even a slightly-too-long sermon that makes you reflect.

You are always welcome to join us for our services. Wishing you a joyful and hope-filled Easter.