News

A pdf of this poster is available here and more information here.

For the week beginning 21^st April 2025 Christ is Risen!             

Despite the commercially driven traditions at Easter like egg hunts, egg rolling and the Easter bunny becoming more prominent than the significance of Easter for the masses;  for believers the events of Easter Sunday marked a defining moment for all humanity, a moment of hope and new life.  The resurrection of Christ is a living truth that should impact our every thought, word, action and heart as we are called to embrace this truth and share the Joy it brings us with others.

Every Easter I try to imagine how the disciples felt at the moment of their Lord’s death.  The shock, despair and very real pain must have been overwhelming.  Filled with fear, confusion and despair, some retreated but when their Lord was resurrected everything changed.  The promises of Jesus came flooding back and, overjoyed they courageously shared the good news with others.  What an emotional rollercoaster!

There are various accounts of Jesus appearing to His disciples after His resurrection.  During these appearances Jesus instructed His disciples, and many other followers.  One of these was the account in Luke’s gospel of the Emmaus road encounter which occurred soon after Jesus’ resurrection.   I urge you to reread it and engage your imagination as you do!  (Luke 24:13-35).

There are core aspects to the Good News of the Risen Christ for us as His disciples.  The Resurrection is not just about the past, it’s about the future too;  a promise of new beginnings, of a life lived in the power of Christ’s victory over sin and death.  There is an emphasis in our own discipleship to follow the example Jesus led in His earthly life and ministry; His deep involvement with so many people; compassion and caring at the fore in His healing, teaching and loving ministry.  His honesty and integrity.

Thoughts:

Do the events of Easter truly impact on us every year afresh or are we becoming a little jaded?   

Are we embracing and sharing with others the Joy it brings?  

Are we allowing ourselves to become instruments of God’s Grace and Love in our community?

As we move forward with the Risen Christ, may we reflect on the importance of the resurrection as an historical event but also the Cornerstone of our Christian faith.  Let us reflect how we can forgive others as Jesus forgives us and then forgive, not just through words but from the depth of our hearts where our truth lives.  

Risen Lord, help us to try and live in a way that reflects the transformative power of Easter, embodying Your Joy and Hope in our daily lives.  Amen.

Revd Tish Bird

See Previous Reflections here

All Saints Church Shorthampton was the venue for our latest Choral Evensong sung by St Mary’s Church choir. Organist Richard Fairhurst. Soloists: Sebastian Fairhurst, Mike Summers

Music:

Preces and Responses by William Smith

Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in F by George Dyson

Anthem Ride On by Grayston Ives

Organ Voluntary : Love Unknown

At St Mary’s Church on Good Friday 18th April at 10am.

Come and join us and explore the Easter story though games, crafts and activities.

Here are a few photos from St Mary’s Mothering Sunday service last week. Our thanks to those who made up the flower posies, to Denise Summers for the delicious Simnel Cake (for 51 years in a row!), the Vicar Fergus, Richard, Choir, everyone who made the service special, and Mary for the photos. Thank you!

We have been advised that the talk to mark 1700 years of the Council of Nicaea has been postponed until after Easter.