Activities | History | Nurture

April 2025 magazine

stjohnstmarkchurchburySaturday, March 29, 2025

Here’s a link to our April 2025 magazine, paper copies of which will be in our two churches from this weekend:

In this Easter edition, we have news and updates from many of our groups and organisations. There is also an article on the recent ‘Threads through the Bible’ exhibition at Liverpool Cathedral, showcasing the wonderful work of textiles artist Jacqui Parkinson.

Alongside other reflections for Easter, we also have this letter from our Vicar, Harvie…

God holds the past, present and future together

After a long dark Winter, Spring brings us signs of new life and hope. Looking out at our gardens, we see snowdrops, daffodils and crocuses – rays of colour in what have been months of drab uncertainty. The tectonic plates of global and local life have shifted and we try again to make sense of the landscape we find ourselves in. If, like me, you feel cut adrift from your usual routine, be comforted because Spring also brings with it the certainty that Christ is risen from the dead and still reaches out to us, His creation.

The church landscape has also changed, as the Archbishop of Canterbury stood down and what many saw as opportunities to put things right were not taken. Many are now questioning the role the church has in the modern world and if it can ever become a force for good again. I, for one, will always believe that whilst Christ sits on the throne, His bride the church will be a force for good in a world of ever-changing opinions and understandings.

It is into this world view that I try to speak from a place of weakness.

Anchor points

As a vicar who has been unable to get involved with the care of others during a long period of illness, I find myself frustrated and have sought out my own anchor points from my long Christian journey. In times when I don’t feel the presence of God so clearly, I need to remember the fact that it was He who called me to serve Him, and I have been certain of his calling, and his love for me ever since. I concentrate on what I know to be true and the evidence for that throughout my life in Him. Easter reminds us that God’s not dead, even when we feel cast adrift and abandoned.

We need to make a concerted effort to remind ourselves that ‘the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it’; it is the work of His hands and He holds the past, present and future together.

Never leave nor forsake us

During my cancer treatment, there have been times when I have questioned whether the treatment is working. I have allowed medicines to be put into my body, not knowing if anything was changing. The medical team assured me that things were progressing but for me, all I felt was fatigue. So it has been with my walk with God. I pray and bring glory to His name but, on occasions, I’m left with the feeling He has gone on holiday. It is at these times I need to return to my anchor points and remember that Christ will never leave nor forsake us. A timely reminder when the world is changing all around us. We, the church, need to regain our confidence in the things we once took for granted but now have to work harder to believe. The message of Easter is a great place to start. Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

Can you put your faith in the Creator of the universe, or will you be swayed by the winds of change blowing through our world at this time?

We need to remember what has held us together for over 2000 years and go into the future trusting in the God who loves us so much that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall have eternal life. Harvie