As I sit here to write this on yet another gloomy wet day in late February, wondering what to write for there seems little cheer about.

My crocuses have been eaten by the muntjac deer, my lawn has been dug up by grey squirrels searching for the acorns

they buried but cannot remember exactly where, while the wood pigeons trample or leave their mark on everything.

And doesn’t time fly by. It doesn’t seem many days ago that we were celebrating Christmas and the gift to us from God of Jesus Christ, his only son. How he came to us a newborn child, born in that stable in Bethlehem.

And now we are in April already and remembering the events of Easter.

Reminding ourselves of his death upon the cross. Of how he died in love for us and all mankind, of how he died in love and obedience to his Heavenly Father.

But our sadness at his death is to be short lived for on the third day he rose again, proving that there is no finality in death. God raised his son to eternal glory so that he could be with us throughout our earthly journey.

Jesus also ensured we would never lack anything because he gave to all that love and follow him the gift of his Holy Spirit

to be a strength, a comfort, a guide and light for our path.

The sun will shine again, the lawn and plants will recover as the warmth of spring will cheer us all, enabling us to go forward, spreading the love of God and sharing the fellowship of his son Jesus Christ with all those we come into contact with.

May God bless you and the love of Jesus Christ be in all your hearts and minds this Easter time.

​

Keith Scarff

(Stowmarket Elder)

​

The Revd Robert Sheard's final service in Suffolk will be at Christchurch, Needham Market, on Easter Sunday.

He has received a call to churches in the Wessex Synod.

We wish him well in his new Ministry.