Dear Friends in the Uttoxeter Area,
Isn’t spring a lovely time of the year? Green leaves unfurling, fluffy pink cherry blossom and the blackthorn white with flowers hiding the prickles. The science of spring is not something many of us understand but we can appreciate the beauty, and the natural environment finds ways to regenerate even if it takes a long time. The resilience and mystery of nature remind us of God working in our lives and in our churches, and we too have to be patient with the process.
In the Easter reading from John 20 we hear about the disciples who had locked themselves in through fear, trying to shut out the world and their distress, but the risen Jesus came into the room, greeting them with peace. They had walked with Jesus in his ministry, they had the scriptures and they had seen miracles but there was a lot they didn’t understand. Jesus said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit, and forgive people.” In the presence of Jesus they realised that they had so much to learn, but they also received the power to go forward, to step out of their locked room and start telling their friends about this Jesus. Thomas wasn’t there the first time, but the following week his scepticism was transformed in the presence of Jesus, and he didn’t need any more proof.
Growing and learning are important and as Aristotle wrote “The more you know the more you realise you don’t know”. We will continue to have lots of questions about what God is up to in our lives, in our area and when we look at the news and question the decisions of world leaders. Some answers may become clear in time, some questions will never be answered, but we can be confident that in the presence of Jesus we have purpose and hope and are called to tell others about all that God is doing.
At this time when decisions are being made locally and the news brings more stories of despair, let us pray that God’s purpose and hope will become a priority.
May we all receive a blessing in the presence of Jesus the Son of God.
Lucy Toyn
Reader Uttoxeter Area of Parishes