The Vicar Writes....

Easter is the greatest Christian Festival. It celebrates the secret at the heart of the Christian Faith. With beautiful stories from the New Testament, with stunning flowers and inspiring music it points us to the only presence that can truly transform our lives. It points us to Jesus Christ, crucified and risen from the dead.

The stories of the first encounters between the Risen Christ and his disciples are illuminating. But we treasure them because they are not just in the past. Jesus is, and can be, part of all our lives now, and in every generation, until he returns. It is his friendship, his power to overcome evil with good, his mercy, and his Spirit that are the hope of the world.

In the darkest and most difficult of times he takes away our fears. He dissolves our sins. He opens up a new path of love, of joy and of peace, for us and for the world. He creates within individuals, families, churches and communities, the hope of a better world. He brings to that hope the spiritual resources that make it possible. To taste just a small part of this miracle, is to be overwhelmed by joy. He makes possible a joyful Easter for all who seek him. A joyful Eastertide is his gift to us all.

With all good wishes and prayers

Yours sincerely,

Raymond Draper