We were celebrating the first signs of spring recently. Lovely daffodils appeared in Landport as the days began to lengthen. Then the “Mini Beast from the East” visited and gave the spring buds a hefty dusting of snow. Is it winter? Is it spring? Perhaps a little of both.
As we stand on the cusp of the seasons, we are reminded that we stand always as an Easter people, a Resurrection people. The journey of Lent takes us through difficult places – and during this time we have mourned the loss of Rhoda Jones, a much-loved and longstanding member of our congregation. Rhoda’s enduring faith, however, stands as a testament to the new life which is always accessible to us – rain or shine – through Christ’s redeeming love.
Writing this in Passiontide, we are very much in the moments at the foot of the cross. Saint Faith’s has marked Lent through the Sunday services, midweek Masses, Lenten study, and Monday evening Reflections. A heap of chocolate eggs and stories told, of the little extra each of us has taken on to draw nearer to God. Visits from our friends in the uniformed groups on Mothering Sunday and from Arundel Court Primary Academy in the days before Easter have been an opportunity to share our faith story. Reading this during Eastertide, we are mindful that the invitation to draw nearer continues.
On Easter Sunday morning, Saint Faith’s will be alight with joy, as we celebrate Christ’s Resurrection through a liturgy which will include Robyn and Oakley’s baptisms, (with Oakley’s proud brother Kiean standing by) and will continue to celebrate the enduring love and witness of Jon and Jenny Stemp, celebrating their 50th anniversary.
As we welcome and celebrate Christ’s light in the world, we rejoice in that light’s presence in each person and in all of creation.