The period between Ascension Day (Thursday the 14th May) and Pentecost (Sunday 24th May) is a time in our church calendar when we remember the disciples waiting for the gift of Holy Spirit. During this time we remember the 10 days when the first disciples gathered in the Upper Room, caught between the joy of the Resurrection and the unknown future of the Church. They were told to wait for 'power from on high,' and in that waiting, they found unity in prayer.
To guide us through these 10 days, I am delighted that we have booklets written by our new Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally. Many of you will know that before her ordination, Archbishop Sarah had a long and distinguished career as a nurse, eventually serving as the Chief Nursing Officer for England.
As you look through the list of Easter services included in this magazine, you’ll see the rich variety of worship across our benefice—from the reflection of Holy Week to the dawn celebrations of Easter Sunday. While we all love to see our church services full of people, the real heart of our mission is shared experience.
We often hesitate to invite others, worrying we might be 'bothering' them, but an invitation is simply a way of saying, 'I value your company'. Perhaps this year, rather than just suggesting a service, you could invite someone to 'come with me'. For those who haven't stepped through our doors in a long time, or those new to our communities, your friendly face might be the bridge they need to re-encounter the love of God in Christ.”
As I write this, I am struck by the signs of new life appearing in our own churchyards and across the hedgerows of our benefice. The daffodils are coming to an end but what a display of primroses, and the first hints of green are returning to the trees that have stood watch over our communities year after year. There is a profound parallel here to the season of Easter and Ascension. Just as we see the 'miracles' of fresh leaves and waking earth, we are reminded of the 'vibrant vigour' of the Resurrection.
In the quiet corners of our parishes—perhaps in those wilder, overgrown parts of the churchyard where the birds find their habitation—we can find the space to reflect. In a world that often demands we move faster, this season calls us to slow down. Whether you are walking through the village or sitting quietly in one of our church buildings, I encourage you to look for these 'signs' of change. Each budding flower is a metaphor for the hope we hold: that even in the 'brown, barren' ground of our daily worries, God’s grace is constantly tending our souls. As the earth reawakens, let it be a time for us to reconnect with our own purpose and to be surprised by the new growth God wants to see in each of us.
Archbishop Sarah Mullally often speaks about how her faith and her nursing vocation are intertwined, centred on compassion, healing, and 'person-centered'. This perspective is evident in her writing; her reflections for 'Thy Kingdom Come' this year focus on the theme 'God With Us'—the God who meets us in the ordinary, messy reality of our everyday lives. These booklets will be available after Easter, and I truly hope they serve as a gentle daily companion for you to enjoy during a quiet moment of reflection during the day.
This year, as we join the global 'Thy Kingdom Come' movement, we are invited to do the same. The challenge to pray for five specific people is not about 'recruiting' or pressure; it is an act of love. Think of five people in your life—perhaps a neighbour you wave to, a family member, or a friend going through a difficult season—who might find comfort in knowing the hope we celebrate at Easter. By holding them in our prayers, we aren't just asking for them to attend a service; we are asking for God’s 'transformative presence' to be active in their daily joys and sorrows.
In summary, this coming season is more than just a list of dates on a calendar; it is an invitation to witness and participate in God’s ongoing work of renewal. From the 'Thy Kingdom Come' prayer initiative to the simple act of inviting a friend or neighbour to share in our Easter joy, we have countless opportunities to be the hands and feet of Christ to our communities.
By the time you read this Sarah Mullally will be the new Archbishop of Canterbury, (Wednesday 25th March), let us take her theme of 'God with Us' to heart. May we find Him in the everyday—in our sorrows, our joys, and everything in between. I look forward to seeing many of you at our services in the coming weeks. Until then, may the peace of the Risen Christ be with you, your families, and our entire community.
With every blessing,
Chris