Ministers Letter

One of my Christmas presents this year was the DVD of the film ’Superman Returns'. That won't surprise those of you who know of my interest in Superman comics! Having watched the film again I was reminded of the familiar message (which crops up in many books and films) of victory of good over evil - but as with many of the books and films with this theme, the victory comes at great cost (Superman almost dies).

This is an idea that many of us can relate to. In our lives we experience times of happiness and success, but often interspersed with times of difficulty, heartache and great personal cost to ourselves. The Christian faith is something that can help us to cope with these times; while also looking forward with hope to the times of happiness, and helping us to enjoy them when they arrive.

February includes the festival of Candlemass and Ash Wednesday. Therefore it is a month when the church takes its last look back at the joy and celebration of Christmas, but also starts to think about Lent and the suffering of Christ. It is a time that reminds us how we often juggle with the 2 sides to life - the times of happiness and the times of sadness.

Take time to reflect on these two days at either end of the month. Candlemas (2nd February) and the looking back to the joy of Christ dwelling among us; and Ash Wednesday (21st February) which looks forward to me pain of the cross. BUT - also reflect on the fact that both are a forerunner to the greater celebration to come - the glorious resurrection of Christ. This is the ultimate victory, and although it came at great cost, it gives us hope in our own pain, and shows that the good times are but a taster for what a to come.

With God's blessing
Rev Russell Bates

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This page was last updated on: Thursday, 1 February, 2007

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