Dear Friends

This month begins with what is called Low Sunday (the Second Sunday of Easter, 3 April) which is the lull after the great celebration of our Lord’s resurrection the previous week. During the weeks of Lent we have had soup lunches to raise funds for charity and a course of evening meetings with guest speakers to consider some of the ethical dilemmas of modern living. We are grateful to those speakers for giving up their time to be with us. Lent drew to a close on Maundy Thursday leading us into the Passiontide climax of Good Friday and, of course, the triumphant vindication of the Passion on Easter Day itself. And now it is Low Sunday and, even though the Easter season continues until Ascension Day on 5 May, it all goes rather quiet.

This “hangover” time occurs after any festival. There is always a kind of ecclesiastical lethargy after Christmas when the evenings are dark and we might feel that we’ve had enough religion for the moment ! It is much the same in secular life as well. After a wonderful holiday it is not always easy to muster much enthusiasm for the daily regime to which we must return. In like manner a good party, an outstanding dinner, times in good company etc are all followed by a lull. Life cannot consist of treats all the time.

For Christians this is a great challenge to keep the faith, maintain enthusiasm, support the church’s activities when the hangover sets in. These are the times when our commitment is really tested. It is easy to be enthusiastic when we are preparing for the next big day, but much harder to be energetic simply for the sake of the Christian religion.

During this month there are some significant observances: 4 April is the Annunciation of our Lord to the Virgin Mary, 23 April is St George’s Day, Patron Saint of this country, 25 April is the Feast of St Mark the Evangelist, and, as we move into next month, we have the Feast of St Philip and St James on 1 May.