Writing in the Friday, 13th April edition of the Church Times - Dr. Giles Fraser, the Team Rector of Putney tells of his Easter Day resurrection experience.  He says that the day started badly when the alarm clock went off "very early, while it was yet dark" at 4.30 a.m. and he discovered that someone had thrown a metal dustbin through the windscreen of his new car.  His mood was further disgruntled when he saw all the detritus strewn along Putney High Street left by those who had attended the previous day's varsity boat race.

Then what he described as a "mini-miracle" happened that changed everything as the congregation gathered beside the Thames for an Easter Dawn Eucharist and watched the sunrise casting its spangled reflection over the waters.  The dawn breaking on a glorious Easter morning transformed his mood completely.  He then waxes lyrical about the beauty of the river - the life that flows through the city "always the same, always new" describing that "Old Father Thames" which keeps rolling along as "liquid theology".  For him "New life had dawned".

The dawn breaking had dispelled the discomfort of "that Christian trinity of holiness:- early, cold and silent" and the words of the Easter liturgy renewed his life, his hope, his sense of gratitude - "May the light of Christ, rising in glory, banish the darkness from our hearts and minds"

He concludes his Easter thought provoking article by saying that "Perhaps the only important job of a priest is to say thank you, and encourage others to do the same.  From thanking the choir, to thanking the fund-raising team, to celebrating the great thanksgiving: the Eucharist".

So, I gladly join with my brother priest in saying just that - "Thank you" to all those who do so much to build up the "body of Christ" in this place.  In the past I have avoided making the annual meeting into just one long list of "thank-yous".  I remember a previous Bishop of Clogher in Ireland saying that as a bishop he was no more than "a thanking machine" and that if you could say "thank you" then you'd make a good bishop!  But having recently read Giles Fraser's article what better role for a priest could there possibly be - "to say thank you, and encourage others to do the same".

May I also encourage a little daily spiritual exercise - imagine a pair of scales - place on one side the number of times in a day you moan and complain about something - on the other side place the number of times you say thank you, are appreciative and express your gratitude.  Which side is the heavier?"
So, I simply say to you all - "Thank you" and above all - "Thanks be to God."

The above report was delivered in absentia as I had to go to Durham to arrange and officiate at my dear late mother's funeral.  So, may I say "Thank you" to all those who so kindly sent cards and offered words of condolence - they really were much appreciated and helped greatly - for, believe it or not, vicars too need to be cared for as well as doing the caring.

Having officiated over the last thirty years at hundreds and hundreds of funerals, when bereavement strikes you, it brings home the pain which the sting of death brings to those who remain and to those who mourn the loss of a loved one.  In a quite ridiculous statement Canon Henry Scott Holland says - "Death is nothing at all" - what absolute and utter nonsense, pure drivel, for surely death  is the biggest "something" that can be experienced in the lives of those who lose someone who is very near and dear to them.  Until now, I had not fully appreciated how absolutely draining bereavement can be.  It was actually the day after the funeral that I felt at my lowest ebb and was completely and utterly - physically, mentally and spiritually drained.  I was so pleased that God gave me the strength and the courage to take such a personally difficult and emotionally sensitive service.  Yet, it was the last act of a loving son to a much loved mother to be able to give the eulogy at my mother's funeral and we were all able to give thanks to God for having known and loved a life-long practising Christian.  So, it was appropriate that the May Day service was still within the great season of Easter and in the context of deep resurrection joy - knowing that, having served him so well here below, Audrey was now in the safe keeping of her Risen Lord.  So there was none of that stuff about just having slipped into the next room or having sailed over the horizon.   NO!  It was an act of worship in which the Christian reality of resurrection life in Christ for the true believer was firmly and boldly proclaimed.  As St. Augustine of Hippo once declared with such bold conviction - 'Salus extra ecclesiam non est'.

So, I gladly add yet another "Thank-you" to Almighty God for the one who brought me into this world.  Recent years have not been easy - Alzheimer's can be so cruel but it never once robbed her of her essential sense of humour.  In a sense the gradual loss of memory was but a preparation for her slipping away to be forever with the Lord.  May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
 
 

                                     Every Blessing,

                                     FATHER DAVID