Chads News - 10th April 2025

Dear Church Family,

It has been a year since I was licensed by Bishop Sam and you welcomed us back home to St. Chads. While this year has been filled with immense blessings, it has also been an incredibly steep learning curve. Seeing what God is doing in our church is a great delight, and as we sense that we are on the cusp of a season of abundance, I am so grateful to God for calling us back at such an exciting time.

Last Easter Sunday, I preached in Gee Cross and found it deeply emotional. This year, I have the privilege of preaching again on Easter Sunday - what do you think the chances are of more tears? Easter Sunday is a wonderful day of celebration, and during our 11 a.m. service, we will be celebrating new life through full-immersion baptism. Hearing the stories of God’s goodness, faithfulness, and restoration is always a joyous occasion, often accompanied by a few tears of gratitude and joy.

Tears hold deep significance in our lives. I can only imagine the tears that were shed at the cross and in the days that followed, as the women tended to Jesus’ broken body. Where was their Saviour? Where was their hope for the new kingdom? Psalm 56:8 says, “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” This verse reminds us that God sees every tear we shed and holds them as a reminder of our pain and struggles.

But what does it mean when the Bible says that God collects our tears? Firstly, it symbolise His immense love and compassion for us. Just as a parent comforts their child, God cares for our pain and carries our burdens with us. Secondly, it reminds us of His sovereignty. Even in our deepest sorrow, we can trust that God is still in control. Though we may feel lost or alone, we can take comfort in knowing that He has not forgotten us. This year we have a space to sit in the place of sorrow, a place of mourning but where there is ‘still hope’ on Saturday evening, come and sit in the liminal space, worship and pray together in church. We journey together through our Easter services starting on Palm Sunday 9.15 & 11am, Maundy Thursday 7pm, onto Good Friday Meditations 1pm, Still Hope on Saturday 7.30pm and culminating with Easter Sunday celebrations 9.15 & 11am.

We are holding the space for Easter prayer, running from Good Friday into Saturday, sign up and come to pray as we reflect on being Easter people living in a Good Friday world. The world can be dark, and at times, we may feel as though hope is slipping away, the truth is that death is defeated, and Jesus is alive.

As we move forward together, let us hold on to the truth that our God “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20). It is good to be home again.

with love,

Katie

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