Dear Friends,

As the magazine is being prepared this month we are enjoying a beautiful week of spring weather. The sun has been shining, the clocks have gone forward and the gardeners are out in force, cutting the grass and getting everything into a beautiful array of colour and vitality.

As these things are happening, there is also an anxiety in the air as the recent global tariffs imposed by the United States are creating instability in the financial markets and people are worrying about the industries that provide livelihoods for so many across the globe.

At times like this, we hold to a simple belief that God is Sovereign, that He is in control and He cares for His world and His people right across the world.

There has been such upheaval with wars and earthquakes in Myanmar and the continuous rumbling of conflict in Ukraine and Gaza. It’s hard to know what is best to pray for but I continually pray for Aid Agencies working on the ground to bring relief and supplies to desperate people across the world. I pray for the rising up of a new generation of peacemakers and negotiators that can bring about ceasefires and broker peace deals that will bring relief and justice to those who have suffered so terribly in these conflicts.

The church proclaims our belief in a suffering Saviour who walks alongside us in all we face and go through and it was good to be able to reflect so powerfully on His life and death and resurrection in our Lent, Holy Week and Easter services.

It was good to get out into the community to invite our neighbourhood to some of these events and to try to share the hope we have found in Jesus.

During this month we look forward to welcoming Francis Khamanra, a theological student among us for a 3-week placement. Francis lives in the parish and will be doing some preaching, teaching and visiting during his time with us. We know he will be made welcome in people’s homes and as he visits organisations and parish activities over this month.

It’s also an important month as we look to future staffing for the parish. The Rector will be in Dublin to conduct interviews for Curates who might be interested in coming to serve with us. Some students have been to visit the parish at different services in recent weeks and we ask you to hold the students and parishes involved in this process in your prayers. It’s a significant time for all of these students and their families as they face the prospect of uprooting and moving to other places to serve in ministry.

The first Sunday in May is the Belfast Marathon so please be aware there will be some disruption to travelling around the area on that Sunday. The Cregagh Road and Montgomery Road will be among the roads affected so please be mindful of that disruption and allow some extra time to get here.

We look forward to a visit from the Leprosy Mission on Sunday 11th May and we want to flag up a special date for the diary during the summer.

We are very hopeful that the choir from Wadham College, Oxford will be performing a summer evening concert on either 2nd or 4th July at 7.30pm. Eva Hayward is part of this choir and we would be very privileged indeed to have such a musical treat playing in the church on a summer’s evening. There is no charge but donations are welcome as the choir undertake this special tour of Northern Ireland. Keep your eye on the website for details.

You will also find details of some special events as part of our Mind Matters project this month including a special Taizé service on Wednesday 7th May and a quiet morning under the leadership of Reverend Dr Pat Mollan from the Church’s Ministry of Healing on 17th May.

Our prayer meetings on Thursdays will resume in May so, as always, there is plenty to look forward to.

We are grateful to all those who have offered to serve on the Select Vestry and congratulate our new Office Bearers for the coming year.

With very best wishes.

Jonathan Pierce (Rector)

Telephone 02890 793822