Dear Friends,

Have you ever found yourself switching over the channel on the TV or the radio because what you are seeing or hearing is just too unpleasant to deal with? Sometimes I find myself doing that with certain news stories where the suffering or the detail is overwhelming and I don’t feel in a space to deal with it. It’s not a great approach to be honest and as I switch to something less intense and more light-hearted, I wonder what this says about me? Does the reality of violence and suffering make me feel uncomfortable? Do I feel that the complexity of the situation is too big for me to make any meaningful contribution to changing it? Do I sometimes try to ignore these unpleasant realities because my situation is different? Maybe I feel guilty when I see people fleeing war and violence and I just want to focus on protecting my family as best I can.

The season of Lent can feel quite challenging both to those who are familiar with the events we reflect upon in the last week of Jesus’ life and those who look from the outside in. People try to figure out why the death of a man who was innocent over 2000 years ago has any relevance or connection to their lives today? Sometimes it all seems too much or too bewildering and we turn away from it all.

Since the time I began to take Jesus seriously in my own life, these are questions that I have wrestled with. I find that time I spend looking at these events seems to reveal something new both about Jesus and about me.

At times these lessons are challenging and painful. I discover how self-absorbed and self-centred I can be. I see a love that goes beyond anything I have ever known reaching out to a broken and hurting world and offering hope and meaning and purpose to those who are longing for these things.

There’s a lot of anxiety out there right now. The new administration in the White House, the talks to end the war in Ukraine and Russia, the fragile peace in the Middle East, the escalating conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo and trade wars that seem to be escalating in various parts of the world put everyone on edge. Most people I know want to keep working steadily, provide for their family and see stability in the world.

The expressions of military power and aggressive rhetoric that dominate the headlines have driven many to question everything in their belief system. I wonder if the church has anything positive or helpful to contribute to that debate?

One of the messages of Easter is that we do not go through life on our own. We can share the burdens we carry with the Lord in prayer or with brothers and sisters in the church family who promise to support us in the challenges we face. Prayer is a valuable and vital superpower that followers of Jesus possess and which can change both perspectives and approaches to the big situations in front of us.

Each Good Friday we hold a day of prayer in the church where it is open from 7am to 7pm when we encourage people to take responsibility for an hour to pray. There will be points for prayer as a guideline and as we lift the world and our locality up to God , we trust that He hears and will answer as is best for us. A sheet will go up in the church inviting you to commit to an hour so we have a constant presence of prayer throughout the day.

So while the events of Holy Week are challenging, I want to encourage you to engage with them and allow them to impact your approach.

This year we look forward to some visiting speakers on the first three nights of Holy Week at 7.30pm and then on Thursday we engage with the events of the Last Supper and on Good Friday we have a powerful show at 12 noon explaining the significance of Holy Week for children and families, with refreshments after in the church hall. We’d love you to come and invite your friends and we will be delivering invitations around the neighbourhood on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd April if you can join us at 7pm.

We will have the moving Service of Tenebrae on Good Friday evening.

One of the main reasons we focus on these events is because they hold a reservoir of meaning that can never fully be exhausted and offer so much to our world and to us as individuals.

Can I ask you to pray for the process that will be underway as you receive this magazine to match prospective curates to parishes? We are part of this process and will be meeting with some candidates who have read a profile of our parish and who might be interested in serving here in ministry. It’s a daunting time for the candidates and parishes as they try to discern God’s call on their lives. Being a part of the process is no guarantee of a curacy appointment, so we await to see what unfolds in the coming months but we ask for God’s wisdom and leading in it all.

Towards the end of April we will be welcoming a theological student called Francis Khamanra for a 3 week placement. I know he will be made very welcome in people’s homes and at services as he comes among us to gain some experience. Please pray for Francis and his impact upon those he meets that he would learn new things and share Jesus with joy and encouragement as he comes among us for a while.

Another significant event in parish life is our Annual Business Meeting, the Easter Vestry which takes place on Tuesday 8th April at 7.30pm. We will hear reports from the Rector and Treasurer and elect a new Select Vestry and appoint people to important positions to serve the church. All are welcome to this important event.

May this Season of Lent and Easter bring encouragement and growth to all of us as we engage afresh.

If anyone would like to receive Holy Communion during this season, please get in touch with the Rector and he will be glad to come to your home if you are unable to get out to church.

With very best wishes.

Jonathan Pierce (Rector)

Telephone 02890 793822