This April is a month in which we are still reeling from all we

heard in the news from across the world of lives devastated

by earthquakes, Tsunamis and nuclear melt down. We’ve

heard of the lives torn apart by the conflict in the Middle

East. I wonder how the memories of this will form us and

the world in which we live?

So how can we make sense of it all?

In April, with others in the Christian community I will retrace the long and painful

journey Jesus made through his suffering, terror and death on the cross. A time

of devastation and betrayal. A time when all the hopes and dreams of his family

and followers were destroyed.

Sometimes in my job all I can do is listen and sit with people as we wrestle with

the problem of suffering. And more often than not it is suffering closer to home

that really challenges us. The news of cancer, the death of a loved one, mental

health problems, financial difficulties or addictions. Sometimes all I can do is give

people permission to cry out to the God who seems to have disappeared. There

is a space for this in the Christian story.

But one thing I have learned through my own times of suffering, is that Jesus

identifies with our brokenness, pain, grief and loss. For God allowed himself to be

stripped of everything, including his life.

In April we start to see the signs of new growth and new hope as God’s creation

bursts back into life after a long hard winter. My garden has seemed so bare and

dull for so long, but as I write the daffodils offer a burst of colour and the promise

of new life.

On April 24th I will celebrate the miracle of the Christian faith as Jesus bursts

back into life bringing hope and a new beginning. I will get up at dawn to

celebrate. To begin the party I will hide Easter eggs for the children to find – each

one a symbol of new life and hope. A group from our village will transform the

church with flowers. On Easter morning I will be joined by many others across the

world and we will sing this story. We will urge each other to get caught up in the

mission of Jesus to bring love and justice back into the places of pain and

suffering.

So this April you are warmly invited to explore the Easter story through the many

different services and activities planned by the Christian community here in

Uffculme. To both share the pain, and to enjoy the party.