Do you need repairing?“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)Easter morning is a glorious reminder: Jesus is risen! But the good news of the Resurrection does not end when the holiday calendar turns. For many of us, the days after Easter are when faith is tested, when we notice that life is still full of brokenness: strained relationships, worn-out bodies, quiet loneliness, forgotten dreams, and “repairs” that still need to be made.As I have shared with many of you my garden shed had fallen into disrepair. It had become a disappointment—partly because it no longer served its purpose, and partly because it looked neglected. At times, it felt like the shed had simply been left to suffer, the way we can sometimes feel left behind.But knowing how useful it could be, I decided I would not give up on it. I began by repairing what was truly broken— rebuilding a frame inside it, steadying the back wall which had dropped 6 inches on one side, replaced what could not be saved, and fixed the damage that had spread over time. Then I cleaned it carefully, replaced the roof and floor, and finally painted it. Bit by bit, it changed from something unusable to something strong, clean, and useful again.As I worked, I couldn’t help but think about what God does in our hearts. The Resurrection is not only a doctrine we celebrate, it is a power we live by. Jesus’ victory over death means He can bring new life into what seems hopeless.Sometimes older saints can feel invisible, as if their value fades with time. Yet Scripture is clear: God values every person, and He knows the number of hairs on our heads. The same Saviour who rose from the grave is still at work, still attentive, still tender, still calling His people to healing.Even if our “shed” looks beyond repair to others, or even to ourselves, God specializes in restoration.When I repaired my shed, it was not a quick patch. Real restoration takes steps. First came honesty about what was wrong. Then came patient work and the help of some strong young men. Then came renewed protection, painted and sealed so it could stand against future wear.In a similar way, God brings healing with purpose. Sometimes He uses time, sometimes He uses help from others, and sometimes He brings comfort in the quiet moments when we finally stop fighting alone.“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” (Psalm 126:5)“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten.” (Joel 2:25)God is able to restore what was lost, strengthen what was weakened, and renew what was ruined.The Resurrection doesn’t only promise a future resurrection, it promises a living Christ who works now. When Jesus rose, He declared that nothing is beyond God’s reach. Not grief. Not sickness. Not regret. Not burdens carried too long.“Because I live, you also will live.” (John 14:19)That “new creation” doesn’t mean we suddenly forget our pain. It means God can transform our story. Like the shed after repair, we may still have “history”, but our ending is not defeat.If you are carrying a broken heart or feeling worn out, please remember this: God does not waste brokenness. He can turn it into testimony. He can rebuild what has sagged. He can paint over the places we thought would always remain damaged.So, after Easter, keep trusting the risen Lord. Ask Him to bind up wounds, strengthen weak hands, and help you take one faithful step at a time.“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)God values you. God sees you. And through the power of the Resurrection, God brings healing and restoration—until what was once unusable becomes useful again, all for His glory.“If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Brian Leathers March 2026
Foreigners1 By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. 2 There on the poplars we hung our harps, 3 for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”4 How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land? (Psalm 137:1-4)I have just had the privilege of being on holiday and while on a catamaran in sunshine the crew put on a song I remembered from years ago. It was one of the Boney M hits from 1978 “By the rivers of Babylon”. They were a Rastafarian group based firstly in West Germany, but they clearly had knowledge of their Bibles. I have included their Bible references at the beginning and end of this article. I felt deeply about this song as at the time I was a foreigner in another land.Boney M’s song serves as a poignant reminder of our collective human experience, particularly the feeling of being a foreigner in a strange land. Psalm 137 recounts the harrowing experience of the Israelites during their Babylonian exile, where they hung their harps upon the poplars, mourning for their homeland. "How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?" This question resonates deeply with us today, urging us to reflect on our own lives and the way we treat those who are different from us.The Israelites faced immense sorrow and longing as they grappled with their identity and faith among a foreign culture. Their tale is not merely a historical account; it embodies the struggles many face when displaced or feeling out of place. In our contemporary society, we, too, find ourselves in various 'Babylons'—be it through migration, cultural shifts, or even within our communities where differences abound. We often encounter those who feel like exiles in their own lives.Psalm 19 offers a beautifully contrasting perspective, reminding us of the grandeur of God’s creation and the universality of His laws: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” This scripture draws us back to the Creator who welcomes all within His embrace, proclaiming that His truth is accessible to everyone, regardless of their background. Just as creation reflects God’s glory, so too can our interactions with others shine light in a world often clouded by division and misunderstanding.As Jesus calls us to love our neighbours, we are reminded that the concept of 'foreign' extends beyond mere nationality or ethnicity. Each person, regardless of their background, carries a unique story. The challenge lies in our response to this diversity. How do we respond when we encounter someone whose experiences differ from our own?In our interactions, we should seek to embrace those who appear foreign to us, not with fear or judgment, but with understanding and compassion. The Example of Christ teaches us to reach out to the marginalized, the outcast, and the lost. He frequently engaged with those considered 'different,' demonstrating that God's love transcends all barriers.As we reflect on "By the Rivers of Babylon" and the profound messages found in Psalms 137 and 19, we are called to consider our role as compassionate travellers in this world. Let our hearts be open to those who feel like foreigners, just as we may sometimes feel. Together, let us build bridges where walls might exist and create a community that echoes the love of Christ, embracing all who journey alongside us.14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14) Brian Leathers February 2026
Meeting held 4pm on 18th Nov 2025Churchyard: A party of local people have made a wonderful difference by strimming the Churchyard extension on Sat 8th Nov. Thank you if you were involved.Alton Advent Calendar is out – do get a copy and support many of the eventsBoiler Saga is ongoing. There are no spare parts for the old boiler that has worked well for years and new government rules mean the ventilation is not considered adequate. We will need to make a hole in the Church wall once a replacement is obtained. We have a temporary grill in the West door as we cope with the changes – this will be reinstated as it was as soon as we can. We had to consider electric heating for the Church but have decided to stay with Gas, but now are finding quotes for the work hard to source. Please be patient with us. There has been minor progress as we have been advised to get one industrial boiler instead of two domestic boilers. But we are still waiting for quote for the work. They look like being in the region of £22,000 which would wipe out our savings so we might not be able to pay the Common Fund to the Diocese in full.Fundraising: - Bingo went well – Lent Lunches are planned for next year – and there will be an organ concert on 25th April at 6pm in the Church – donations in aid of Church funds.Eco-Church: We are making progress. New LED lights in Church – change to Octopus energy which is 100% renewable energy. We were reminded that we have the silver award and we will look at how we stand with applying for a gold award. Quinquennial report: (This is the architect’s 5 year maintenance schedule) We have achieved some of the work (the boiler is the big part of this) and the list of other jobs will be on the PCC agenda until they are done.
https://www.youneedtotalkaboutgod.com/filmsFollow the link to five short films
