Brett Valley Benefice Pastoral Letter – April 2022 from Revd Elke Cattermole

This year Easter is late, and we enter the month of April with the
church still in the season of Lent. Palm Sunday is on 10th April ad then we begin
Holy Week, Jesus travelling to the cross towards his death on Good Friday. Easter Sunday is
celebrated on 17th April, and we will have a benefice service at St Mary Magdalene Church at
11am. This is the most important Christian celebration of the year for the different Christian
This year Easter is late, and we enter the month of April with the church still in the season of Lent. Palm Sunday is on 10th April and then we begin Holy Week, Jesus travelling to the cross towards his death on Good Friday. Easter Sunday is celebrated on 17th April, and we will have a benefice service at St Mary Magdalene Church at churches whether it is the Western or Eastern church.

The Eastern Orthodox church does not always have their Easter celebrations the same time as the western church because of the difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars. This April shows how vital for both the western and eastern churches, the need and power of the Christian faith. Because of the conflict in Ukraine it really highlights the needs of all people wherever they are to cry out to God in prayer.

The season of Lent reminds us to say sorry and ask for forgiveness. How difficult that can be as we have watched weeks of attack on a country whose people just wanted to live a normal life. However in the sorrow and devastation we have also seen a generosity among nations and faiths who have shown together how they can help so many displaced families.

Our hope in all this horror must come from the Easter message from both the eastern and western church. It is a time of renewal and new life, whether we really understand how this can happen. History has shown new life can spring out of unbelievable devastation and horror even when all feels lost.

Again we can remind ourselves the events of that first Easter are, potentially, so life-changing that we would do well to refresh our memories of them and think them through thoroughly. Our Sunday and midweek services during Lent, Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter in our churches will help to remind us where to go for help.
A Prayer for Ukraine from Archbishop Justin Welby and Archbishop Stephen Cottrell God of peace and justice,
we pray for the people of Ukraine today.

We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.
We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,
that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.
We pray for those with power over war or peace,
for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions.
Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear,
that you would hold and protect them.
We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Amen

We are all God’s creation as we see new birth around us at Easter and see the joy of many let us remember it is a time for all of us to go forward in hope, joy, peace, and freedom in the name of Christ.
Happy Easter to you all
God Bless
Revd Elke