May 2023 Minister's Letter

Dear Friends,
April was such a busy (but wonderful) month here in the Heath and Havering Group! And so, sitting here a couple of weeks after Easter and enjoying the slower pace of things, it can feel like there is a bit of a sense of letdown, now that we don’t have a big church holiday to work towards.

But a letdown is not what Jesus gives to his disciples following his resurrection. In fact, from almost the first moment that the women discover the empty tomb on that first Easter morning, Jesus has his followers on the move. First to Galilee, and later to all corners of the world. 

As nice as it may feel to sit back and reflect on the beauty of the Lent and Easter worship services, Jesus compels us to move forward…to carry the gospel to new places and to new eyes and ears. The energy and hope and happiness that we’ve felt in church these last weeks is not simply to be looked back fondly upon…it is to be celebrated and shared wherever we go.

And go we shall! Jesus tells his disciples to get to work after his resurrection, and we would do well to heed those words, too. Plans are being made even now for new ministry offerings that will be introduced in the coming months. Our communities need to know that we’re here, and 
that we have gifts to offer to all of God’s children…whoever they are, and wherever on life’s journey they may be. There are new ways of experiencing the love and joy of Christ that we need to explore!

This is no time to stand and admire the empty tomb…remember, “he is not here, but has risen.” Christ is alive, and so is the church! Thanks and praise be to God!
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Continuing Easter blessings,
Brian