Some songs can be an ear worm. Constantly playing in my mind at themoment is Bob Marley's ‘Three Little Birds’ . The iconic chorus “Don'tworry about a thing, cos every little thing is gonna be alright” (it's in yourhead now ha ha) aren't the words that have my focus but “Rise up thismornin’, smiled with the risin' sun.”Why these? Well it dawned (pun intended) on me perhaps Marley's wordswere prompting me to explore them more deeply.Basking in the light of the rising sun from the Rectory garden is a sight tobehold. Truly glorious. This risen sun brings light, warmth and above alllife. Without it nothing can grow and flourish.As we approach Easter Day my thoughts turn from the risen sun over theRectory garden to The Risen Son emerging from a tomb on the outskirtsof Jerusalem, over 2000 years ago.For those of us who are Christians, this is the biggest celebration withinthe Church calendar. A celebration where our crucified Lord, Jesus Christ,was resurrected from the dead to give eternal life to the whole ofmankind.As we can bask in the light from the yellow dwarf star we call the sun, wecan also bask in the metaphorical light from Jesus. Just as the sunalightens our path, dispelling the darkness, so the light of the Son, Jesus,dispels spiritual darkness and illumines our pathways in daily life..As it says in John 8:12 “ Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the lightof the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will havethe light of life’” This is borne out by the following words I use every day inmy prayer life. ‘ln the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from onhigh shall break upon us. To shine on those who dwell in darkness andthe shadow of death and guide our feet into the way of peace’.He Is risen! Alleluia! Happy Easter.‘Don't worry about a thing…’
Who do you think you are?’ was the theme of the Bishop of Guildford’s last confirmation sermon at St Peter’s Church, Ash on 11 January 2026.He ended that sermon by saying ”a day will come – quite certainly – when Andrew Watson becomes the late Andrew Watson”. He continued, “what on earth will be the point of my degrees and qualifications then, let alone my dubious hereditary links with King Alfred and the Emperor Charlemagne? I find who I am in Jesus Christ”.Little did he know when he spoke those words that, within seven weeks, his earthly life would end. And yet they sum up the life of this disciple. That strong identity, which shone through his short illness, was an inspiration to so many. It was the day after the confirmation service that Bishop Andrew discovered the non-operable, terminal extent of his pancreatic cancer. The way he dealt with that diagnosis has been seen inspirational to so many people whose lives he has touched in his ministry.That is why there has been such an outpouring of love and gratitude to a man who despite his immense intellectual and academic achievements remained rooted in humility and his Christian faith.
