Today has been a day of great hope and Joy.
This morning I heard the resounding traditional call in church:

‘He is risen!’
‘Hallelujah, he is risen indeed!’

To be part of a church excited bu the hope of a risen and living Jesus was just a joy.

The rest of the day with my immediate family and then with Aunty Sarah and Uncle Andrew, Rachael, JT and Emily added even more joy to the day.

Easter day is always a highlight of my year and spending it with my family has been excellent.

As I reflect on my day, however, it is lined with a slight tinge of sadness as my mind wonders ahead to next year. I guess this will be my last year sitting in the congregation on Easter Sunday at St Marks. As I look ahead I wonder how things will be different, what will ordination mean on days like today when I am separated from those I have known for many years?

I am now on a 6 month countdown where I look ahead with something of a challenging mix of Easter hope and fear as I contemplate the road ahead.