Letter from the Rectory - April 2025

Dear Friends,

In the current times of great uncertainly across the world, Easter comes around again offering us much needed hope.  As well the most important festival in the year for Christians, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion, it’s a time when families often gather together and chocolate is enjoyed in even greater quantities than normal. Beyond the traditions, Easter also holds a powerful message for us about new beginnings and the power of positive thinking.  No matter what our yesterday’s brought, God has a future planned for each one of us: a future that is full of hope.  It provides the chance of a new beginning—that’s what Easter is all about. 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Just as Jesus’ resurrection signalled a fresh start for humanity, Easter can also be a time of new beginnings and an opportunity to reflect on our own lives and to make positive changes. Maybe we’ve been stuck in a rut, struggling to make progress with a particular issue, or feeling stuck in a difficult relationship.  Easter reminds us we have the power to turn over a new leaf and begin again.

Some people will have experienced moments of feeling stuck or lost in life, perhaps having reached a dead end in their career, a relationship or with personal ambitions. However, as children of God, we each have a unique opportunity to embrace the possibility of new beginnings. The Bible is full of stories of women and men who faced challenges and setbacks but found new beginnings through faith and trust in God. One example is Ruth who’s wonderfully encouraging story is found in the Old Testament. She was a young widow who left her home and family to follow her mother-in-law to a foreign land. Despite the uncertainty and hardships, Ruth remained faithful to God; she found new beginnings in a new land, a new husband and a new family.

Mary Magdalene, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, had a troubled past, but when she encountered Jesus, she found forgiveness and a new beginning. Mary became a witness to Jesus’ resurrection and played a vital role in spreading the Christian message to others. Like Ruth and Mary Magdalene, we too can embrace the possibility of new beginnings through faith and trust in God.

Happy Easter, when it comes – late this year!

James Campbell