As I write this “article’ I am writing in the manse family room at our small plastic outdoor table. All around me is our furniture moved from various carpeted areas of the house to save it from the water that flooded through last Friday the 18^th – the washing machine hose came adrift. Bert and David, the carpet cleaners, are busily re-laying the now cleaned and dried carpet back onto the floor.

When we, rightly, ponder the power of Easter, it is easy to overlook the everyday reminders of the Easter themes in our lives. Death and Resurrection often go hand in hand as one event. The shock of the flooded house has been replaced by the provision of two competent workers who also happen to be Christians, bringing with them not only their faith but also corresponding values, manner and work ethic.

In Frankston, our previous congregation, we had an intense and demanding nine years leading to a congregation of strong faith and positive spirit. Intense and demanding times often bring people closer together and closer to God. We found it difficult to leave Frankston because of the relationships of love that had grown. Now, however, we have moved in response to God’s call (through the Church) and are enjoying the warm welcome and the good relationships already developing. The sense of vision for the future is strong and we recognise that so many have worked and are working hard to bring that vision to a reality.

Death and Resurrection, endings and beginnings, struggle and achievement, despair and hope, sacrifice and redemption: all of these are similar in the journey of life.

For me, Easter is the New Beginning, the new beginning of God’s JUDGEMENT, the judgement of the Resurrection of Jesus is for me God’s judgement of forgiveness, of affirmation of human beings, of self giving love; all of which continually offers us new life, new beginnings, new hope, good news and an engagement in life with the Eternal God, sometimes called Eternal Life.

This is God’s Judgement, God’s offer to us. We have the miraculous ability to make it a living reality, or not, in the way we respond and live out that offer.

For us, Easter this year really is about new beginnings and we are looking forward with anticipation to the ministry opportunities that lie ahead of us all.  I pray this Easter brings new beginnings for you also.