Dearest friends

As I write this, the sun is beautifully bright and it feels warm ... as I look out on my back garden, the rhyme "Spring is sprung, the grass is riz, I wonder where my garden is" feels very appropriate!

There are so many signs of spring, hope, light and beauty around us. If you walk along the path next to the church hall, you will see a wonderful Spring garden has been developed, and even in those places that just a couple of weeks ago may have looked a bit forlorn, the determination of the Spring bulbs has resulted in pockets of colour and fragrance.

I don't know about you but I need this reminder of hope breaking through. The outpouring of love and generosity towards those seeking safe haven from the Ukraine feels like a sign of God at work through his people, which couldn't contrast more with the violence and destruction reigning over the country of Ukraine. Many people are asking what they can do to help. Various pieces of advice are coming in from the national church, and from our own Bishop Viv, and we will aim to send the latest information out in Monday's email. There is the "heart" response, of course, but this needs to be tempered with the head, "wise" response of what is the best and most appropriate each of us can offer. Our Gospel passage this week reminds us that we are not helpless, so I hope you will join me in continuing to pray about how to respond, as well as the ceaseless praying for Jesus, Prince of Peace, to be known.

I also need to be reminded of hope when numbers of those infected with Covid remain high. It is almost more unusual now to hear of people who don't know someone with the virus. I'm thankful that hospital admissions remain low, but that doesn't diminish the impact for those who are experiencing anything from exhaustion and flu like symptoms, to a slight cold, to being symptom free but inconvenienced by having to self isolate. It is not easy.

As a church we have not escaped the impact this weekend, which means our 10.30am service is not a Eucharist this week, and instead will be a service of Morning Prayer with hymns led by Chris Dursley and Steve Purnell. I'm so thankful that they have been able to step in at short notice, and I hope that you will support them in what is likely to be a beautiful service. For those who would like to receive communion, we will have our usual 8.30am traditional Eucharist service.

So I continue to pray for you all, as well as the 7500 souls that live, work and rest in this wonderful parish. I pray each of us can reflect something of God's light, love, and hope, in the coming days.

With every blessing Becky