Easter Message from our Bishop's Warden

Greetings to you all on this Easter day.

Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed – alleluia!

Firstly, I wish to acknowledge the energetic and diligent work of our own Ingrid, Ross, and now Faye in their frequent contributions to the internet presence of our parish family. Among other communications, this form of reaching out is keeping us going. They have been very valuable, and on behalf of everyone else, I give you my thanks.

It is strange not to be able to sing and pray together at Easter time as we have done every other year. Like many of you I was able to take part in a liturgy “virtually” this morning, as well as reading the presentation by Ross and Faye and watching King’s College choir sing "Jesus Christ is risen today- Alleluia!". A number of you have been watching the videos provided by the diocese on Sunday mornings and occasionally other times. Also, the daily offices of Father Chris Orczy of St Michael and All Angels Christchurch, and those from All Saints Church Dunedin have been added to our Facebook pages. The internet is offering us many different ways of linking with worship services, but I have found these ones particularly meaningful in that we cannot meet.

Our parish culture is strongly branded as Anglican. With this identity, we claim our place in the historic Church of the apostles and seek to remain faithful to the uplifting experience of Jesus’ followers on the day we now call Easter Day, when their despondency following the crucifixion, and their confusion upon discovering the empty tomb turned to wonder and joy when they recognised the risen Christ.

Although we cannot physically meet, we continue to observe our annual calendar of seasons, assisted greatly by our daily Facebook posts, or reference to our common lectionary. These help us to continue our connection with each other and with Christians throughout the world, and to hear the voice of God despite not being able to meet together in our church building.

Daily observance has never been more important, and for some, never more accessible as we are confined to our homes. I encourage you to use this time to deepen your enquiry into what God has in store for us.

Another way we have been doing this is keeping in touch with each other on the phone. I have appreciated the phone calls I have received and I will be making more calls myself. I hope this will never stop. Keeping in touch with one another, and praying for each other, are about the most practical things we can do. Occasionally, we become aware of needs that some people have such as grocery deliveries or other day-to-day requirements. Please step up when you care about those things and call for help so that together with many others who are helping in the community at present, we can be the hands of God in Palmerston North.

Someone wrote this week that it has been “the lentiest Lent we have ever lented”- meaning that our being deprived of many aspects of our community and work life has made it feel like a lean time, even though our standard of living in New Zealand has meant that most of us are not too uncomfortable physically. We think of those for whom this time has been especially challenging. I encourage you to consider supporting the work of community groups whose resources are stretched right now, such as social services organisations like our own Across and the food banks.

So, Lent has finished and we are now at the Church’s most important time of celebration. The story of The Resurrection on Easter day is what defines Christianity above all else. Hope and assurance of new life in the face of loss and death is a strong message. The world needs that message right now. We are privileged to hear it. And now we must respond.

Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed – alleluia!

Blessings to you all.

John Freebairn
Bishop’s Warden