Alleluia, Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, Alleluia!
Happy Easter!
Spring has now arrived, the days are getting lighter and the clocks have sprung forward and hopefully it is starting to feel a bit more spring-like most days. Although in Seaford there can still be that chilly sea breeze than catches us all unawares even on the sunniest of days!
In the very middle of the back garden of the Vicarage is a beautiful weeping pear tree which I believe was planted in 1977 to celebrate the silver anniversary of the late Queen Elizabeth. It is still going strong and I look forward to its beautiful white blossom each year. As I write this the blossom is a promise in tight buds but by the time you read this white flowers will adorn the tree and look glorious. It makes me smile and it makes me grateful.
As I write to you again, I am three quarters through my chemotherapy treatment and grateful for this. My rhythm of life at the moment is different again. I have ten days or so after each treatment when I feel really quite ill, fatigued and nauseous. But slowly this clears and then I have about a week of being sort of okay. You may even see me about in the church and town during those days.
The ill days are the days where I have to really think about being grateful for the small things. The white blossom that I can see from sitting up in bed, a cup of tea, cards and calls and messages from friends and family, these are my lifeline. I continue to be very grateful for your prayers, thank you, they really do make a difference. I feel very much held by the love and support around me both near and far. By Pentecost I should be nearly through the chemo.
Archbishop Sarah in her sermon at Canterbury Cathedral at her enthronement as Archbishop of Canterbury on 25 March talked about Mary, the mother of Jesus and the Annunciation and of trusting in God’s hand to guide her and us. She said that God is doing and will do new things and with this comes hope that nothing is impossible with God. It is important to remember that we do not navigate this often difficult life on our own, we have a God who is with us and who hears us.
It was a fabulous, joy filled service and it is very exciting to have a new, female Archbishop. The service may still be on BBC iPlayer if you missed it. (www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002tctk/the-installation-of-the-one-hundred-and-sixth-archbishop-of-canterbury)
Easter is a season of joy and new hope, of a quiet expectation that the darkness of winter has passed and we can look forward to new things. At Easter we have another Mary, Mary Magdalene going to the tomb in the garden where they have laid the crucified Jesus, to find the stone to the tomb rolled away and the tomb empty.
Mary meets with the risen Jesus in the garden, having first mistaken him for the gardener. ‘Rabboni’ she cries out as her grief and despair turns to joy and new hope. Mary now has new purpose and confidence as she becomes the first witness to the resurrection, the first apostle. The darkness and brokenness of the cross has been transformed into light and hope. Jesus’ sacrifice brings us and all creation back into relationship with God. God with us, in all we are called to navigate in this life. There is so much here to be grateful for!
Do continue to pray for each other and for us, and be assured that we continue to pray for you.
Every blessing
Lucy (and James)