Easter in a strange land ...
Dear Friends,
Everywhere around us, there are signs of spring. Whether it is bright and cheerful daffodils waving along the roadside or newborn lambs gambolling in the fields, we are reminded that nature is waking up. And having just cut our vicarage lawns for the first time this year, new spring growth demands that more attention be paid to the garden - no 'garden distancing' for me from now on! Yet at the same time, human society is shutting down, 'hibernating', in response to the global threat presented by Covid-19. Life has changed in so many ways for all of us over the past few weeks, and we find ourselves living in the strange land of 'lockdown', 'self isolation', and 'social distancing'.
In these disorienting days, it can feel rather like we are now living in a state of exile, a time when we are distanced and isolated from so much that has been dear and familiar - whether exile from our loved ones, exile from our work and leisure routines, exile from social gatherings, exile from gathering to learn together in schools and colleges, or exile from worshipping together in our village churches.
In the face of this huge, rapid and bewildering change - and the uncertain future that lies beyond the end of the Covid-19 outbreak - where can we find any hope to sustain us? In a world where what seemed secure suddenly collapses like a pack of cards in the face of an invisible enemy, where do we turn to find true refuge and lasting security? For Christians, the answer to these - and similar - questions is Jesus Christ. This month, as we celebrate Easter, we recall how by His death on a cross, and by His rising again to new life beyond death, Jesus has already won for us the ultimate victory over our greatest foes - sin and death. In the light of Easter, we are assured that nothing need ever separate us from God's loving purpose for us and our world. For, as Archbishop Desmond Tutu has put it, "Good is stronger than evil; love is stronger than hate; light is stronger than darkness; life is stronger than death. Victory is ours through Him who loves us."
In the light and assurance of that victory, may I wish you Easter joy in a strange land,
John Barr, Rector
*A National Day of Prayer and Action has been announced by the presidents of Churches Together in England regarding the Coronavirus epidemic, for this Sunday, 22nd March.
In an excerpt from a joint letter they wrote:
"At such a time as this, when so many are fearful and there is great uncertainty, we are reminded of our dependence on our loving Heavenly Father and the future that he holds.
"Therefore, at 7pm this Sunday, light a candle in the windows of your homes as a visible symbol of the light of life, Jesus Christ, our source and hope in prayer."
*"Look outwards to care for people and upwards to pray for people", says the Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Revd Martyn Snow, in a video message following the announcement by our Archbishops suspending public worship, as we face the challenge of Coronavirus. Click here to view the message.
*You can find out more about the Church of England's guidance following the Coronavirus outbreak by clicking here and Government guidance by clicking here.
Dear Friends,
Everywhere around us, there are signs of spring. Whether it is bright and cheerful daffodils waving along the roadside or newborn lambs gambolling in the fields, we are reminded that nature is waking up. And having just cut our vicarage lawns for the first time this year, new spring growth demands that more attention be paid to the garden - no 'garden distancing' for me from now on! Yet at the same time, human society is shutting down, 'hibernating', in response to the global threat presented by Covid-19. Life has changed in so many ways for all of us over the past few weeks, and we find ourselves living in the strange land of 'lockdown', 'self isolation', and 'social distancing'.
In these disorienting days, it can feel rather like we are now living in a state of exile, a time when we are distanced and isolated from so much that has been dear and familiar - whether exile from our loved ones, exile from our work and leisure routines, exile from social gatherings, exile from gathering to learn together in schools and colleges, or exile from worshipping together in our village churches.
In the face of this huge, rapid and bewildering change - and the uncertain future that lies beyond the end of the Covid-19 outbreak - where can we find any hope to sustain us? In a world where what seemed secure suddenly collapses like a pack of cards in the face of an invisible enemy, where do we turn to find true refuge and lasting security? For Christians, the answer to these - and similar - questions is Jesus Christ. This month, as we celebrate Easter, we recall how by His death on a cross, and by His rising again to new life beyond death, Jesus has already won for us the ultimate victory over our greatest foes - sin and death. In the light of Easter, we are assured that nothing need ever separate us from God's loving purpose for us and our world. For, as Archbishop Desmond Tutu has put it, "Good is stronger than evil; love is stronger than hate; light is stronger than darkness; life is stronger than death. Victory is ours through Him who loves us."
In the light and assurance of that victory, may I wish you Easter joy in a strange land,
John Barr, Rector
*A National Day of Prayer and Action has been announced by the presidents of Churches Together in England regarding the Coronavirus epidemic, for this Sunday, 22nd March.
In an excerpt from a joint letter they wrote:
"At such a time as this, when so many are fearful and there is great uncertainty, we are reminded of our dependence on our loving Heavenly Father and the future that he holds.
"Therefore, at 7pm this Sunday, light a candle in the windows of your homes as a visible symbol of the light of life, Jesus Christ, our source and hope in prayer."
*"Look outwards to care for people and upwards to pray for people", says the Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Revd Martyn Snow, in a video message following the announcement by our Archbishops suspending public worship, as we face the challenge of Coronavirus. Click here to view the message.
*You can find out more about the Church of England's guidance following the Coronavirus outbreak by clicking here and Government guidance by clicking here.