Dear friends,

                 It’s hard to believe Easter has been and gone, though we still have the creme eggs to prove it. Thanks to all who worked so hard decorating the church, organising the labyrinth etc and generally making sure everything got done while I ran around in circles tearing my hair out.

Easter is such a mix of emotions, as we travel with Jesus from the joy of Palm Sunday to the despair of Good Friday to the joy of Easter Sunday and the implications of the resurrection of Jesus. This year everyone has had additional grief to cope with the death of George, who has served Goodrington faithfully for so many years as Treasurer and has enriched our lives in so many other ways with his graciousness and sense of humour. Though his health had been failing since I’ve known him, we will all miss him, and our thoughts and prayers are with Anne and the family.

The coming weeks will bring a variety of challenges and opportunities. The requests for application forms for the Children’s and Families’ Worker (see below) have begun, the worship leaders’ course dates will be published soon (I’d meant to have sorted them by now, but Easter was even busier than I’d expected), and the question over the future of the green space opposite the church has stimulated a lively response.

As we celebrate the risen Christ, and contemplate His effect on our lives, may we approach these challenges and opportunities by allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our lives to point us towards Him in all that we say or we do.

“And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age”

(Mt 28:20, NRSV)

May the blessings of the risen Christ be upon you all,

Chris