7/28/2019 Richard's Easter Letter - March 31st 2013

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#everythingchangesIf you're not a follower of twitter - the online messaging service where every character counts

- you'll be assuming a typo! But it's a "hashtag", a label applied to a message (tweet!) to join in a

conversation, a campaign, or (in this case) a celebration. belongs to Easter

Day - the label churches are applying to their services celebrating the resurrection of Jesus and

the change his life brings to people, to households and communities.

That was certainly the experience of the earliest disciples. They were so

changed by what they saw and met in the risen Jesus that they threw the

whole of their lives into getting the message out, even without twitter! They

preached and wrote and challenged and cared, because they believed that

now Jesus was alive, #everythingchanges.

We say in the All Souls our 'mission statement', that we exist to "

. But if all we're

offering is just an experience, then we've nothing different from a rock concert, art gallery or

community centre to offer. But if Jesus is really alive and if, because of him, #everythingchanges,then we've genuinely got Good News to offer, not just at Easter, but every day of the year.

We don't just bring change by telling people about the new life of Jesus, but by helping make a

Jesus-shaped difference to those around us. As a Parish Church we have a special commitment

to our local communities and have a particular focus on the Ivybridge Estate, where many face

a daily struggle in the ordinary things of life. We're seeing some exciting - and challenging -

opportunities emerge to serve those communities: our establishment of a drop-in for mums

("Bumps & Babies"); involvement in children and youth work; growing connections with the

primary school and old people's sheltered accommodation... but there's lots more to come.

I'm delighted, therefore, to be able to announce that we've been able to make

a part-time appointment, funded from the existing Ivybridge Fund, of our very

first . , whom many of you will know

as a long-time member of our morning congregation, has a background in local

community work and in gatherine and supporting volunteer teams. She will be

working to encourage, resource and support our existing teams and also helping

us work towards new projects, particularly on and with the estate.

Please do pray for her as she begins work (16 hours a week) on Tuesday 16th April - for wisdom

in the midst of huge nees and great opportunities and for encouragement as doors open for us

to make a difference in our local area.

As a church, our core purpose remains the same - to introduce people to the life-changing life

of Jesus - but as we grow (and we're nearly 20% bigger than this time last year),

our vision develops. Can I ask you, then, to make a special effort to join me on

the

as I launch our vision and plans for the coming year - and as we introducethis year's Count me In?

vicar

'sletter

~easte

r2013

31st March 2013