Easter Message from Chair of District

An Easter message from the Revd Sonia Hicks, Chair of District

Dear Beloved in Christ,

It seems we have only just begun the Lenten season but already we are at the midpoint. The days rush by and the months come and go. What is the significance of Easter when God's people are crushed daily by hardship and war; by despair and doubt; by loneliness and pain?

At this time of year, I remember the madness of Circuit life and the endless service preparation. I remember the desire to stand still amid all the activity and centre myself once more in God's love.

The message of the risen Christ can seem meaningless as we listen to the news and see media images of bewildered children in Gaza or bombed out buildings in Ukraine and yet, and yet...

We worship a Saviour who came to such a world as this. A man in whom the authority of God could be clearly seen. A person who touched the lives of people around him. A messiah who bore the hatred of the world so that we could know what it means to be loved by the God who chooses to be alongside us.

The Easter message is one that is full of hope in a world that seems forlorn; a message full of love when hatred and mistrust seem to have the upper hand; a message that continues to revive the people of God so that we share the Good News of God's love with our communities and in our world.

Easter powerfully reminds us that the God we worship can burst open all that seeks to imprison and contain the spiritual treasure we hold. Just as the tomb could not imprison and contain the Son of God, neither will we, despite the malicious intent that swirls around, be defeated.

In Christ, we have the victory, for as St. Paul tells us: "...neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans Chapter 8: verses 38-39

May this hope give you peace this Easter and always.

Sonia