Alleluia, Christ is risen!

There's a wonderful parable about unborn twin baby boys snuggled together in their mother's womb. As they lay side by side, they wondered what it might be like on the other side of their warm, comfortable home. The first twin believed there was a world beyond the womb "where people walk upright, where there are mountains and oceans, a sky filled with stars". The other twin thought this was absurd. He was sure there was nothing outside the womb, only death. Suddenly, the first twin was forced through the birth canal, leaving behind the only life he had ever known. He was met by his parents who delighted in the arrival of their new son. However, the remaining twin was deeply sad, convinced that a terrible tragedy had befallen his brother. What this twin didn't realise was that he had witnessed not death, but birth, and that what had happened to his brother was not a tragedy, but a miracle (from Teaching your children about God, by Rabbi David Wolpe).

The good news is that you and I have an older brother who has travelled beyond the tomb, through the birth canal of eternity into a world that we can only try to imagine; and that he has returned to assure us that there is another realm for us beyond the womb of this life. This is the promise of Easter: that no matter what this life may throw at us, God has not finished with us yet. The tomb is empty; death does not have the last word.

Alleluia, Christ is risen!

Almighty God, who through your Son overcame death and opened the door to everlasting life, we pray that whatever the future brings, you may remove the presence of fear and anxiety from our hearts and grant us strength to face whatever difficulties or pain cannot be avoided. May we live well the lives you have given us until the day comes when we rise to new life and meet you face to face. Amen

Martha Golden 25th April 2022

St. James' Church is now open daily. Please do come in and enjoy our beautiful church when you are passing. Look at the Diary here for schedule of services.

You can see here some thoughts, prayers and sermons that would have been heard at Saint James' and other Benefice churches, including all the weekly thoughts that you see here. Also, you can see Virgina Smith's weekly homily from Coldharbour here.

Tony Berry, the Rector since 1993, retired at the end of September 2021. The Rev'd Kia Pakenham was installed as the new "House for Duty" Rector on 7th April 2022. See the May2022 edition of the Parish News and here for more from Rev'd Kia.

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