May the Fourth be with you This year, the May Day Bank Holiday falls on Star Wars day … where ‘May the Fourth be with you’ becomes a playful pun on the iconic Star wars phrase, ‘May the force be with,’ which is used in the films to wish someone good luck or success, invoking the mystical energy known as the Force. The earliest known use of the phrase dates back to May 4th 1979, when the UK conservative party placed a newspaper advertisement congratulation the newly elected prime minister Margaret Thatcher with the line ‘May the fourth be with you, Maggie.’ Over time, fans adopted the pun to celebrate the Star Wars franchise, and it has gradually evolved into an informal holiday, where celebrations might include, sharing memes and greetings, featuring the phrase, ‘May the fourth be with you,’ rewatching Star Wars movies, dressing up as characters from the franchise, or participating in themed events, online discussions and fan gatherings. Whilst the first Bank Holiday in May, may be Star Wars day, the second bank holiday, falls on the day after Pentecost, the 25th May, which is a day when we remember the disciples in the locked room, being filled with the Holy Spirit, sending them out onto the packed streets of Jerusalem, speaking in the languages of all those gathered there. For Christians, ‘The Force’, that Star Wars speaks about, is the Holy Spirit, God, working in each one of us, Paul tells us in Galatians, that the fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. To be filled with the Holy Spirit, is to know the power of God working through us, transforming us more and more into the people God wants us to be. So as we celebrate Pentecost this year, may we know the true force of Gods Holy Spirit, living with us. May God Bless you Reverend Heather Wilcox
Making the most of the journey As April begins, in the church, we come to the end of our Lenten journey to the foot of the cross on Good Friday, in anticipation of our joyful celebrations of Easter 3 days later. Our Lenten journey is one of reflection, penitence and understanding a little more of what it means to ‘Pick up our crosses, and follow Jesus.’ It is a sobering pilgrimage, but if we make the most of the journey, then the celebrations on Easter day are even more special, and full of hope, as we remember all that Jesus has done for us, so that we can know that our sins are forgiven, and we have new and eternal life in him. But so often in life, we find ourselves searching out the quickest way to get from A to B and loose sight of the fact the journey is all part of how we get to our destination in the first place. In our rush, is there a risk we might miss something important along the way? By the middle of April, I will be getting ready to head off on my three months Extended Study Leave, or Sabbatical, for want of a better word, and as part of that Sabbatical, I will be going to Santiago in Portugal, but I intend to make the most of the journey, and go by foot, walking the 488 mile route from France, over the Pyrenees and then across Spain. This is a trip, that is as much about the journey, as it is about the destination. I hope that by the journey, I will shaped and changed, as I take the time to slow down, to learn a different pace and just enjoy being in Gods wonderful creation and the great outdoors. As I journey, I am looking forward to the encounters I may have with fellow pilgrims along the way, and I am reminded of the disciples, being joined by Jesus on that first Easter day, as they journeyed by foot to Emmaus. And so my encouragement this Easter time, is for us all, to slow down from all the rushing, and actually make the most of the journey, less we miss the most important thing. May God Bless you this Easter time, and I look forward to sharing my sabbatical experiences, when I return in July. Reverend Heather
