FOLLOW US: Niftynotes @SouthwellandNottingham @diocswellnott News & Information from the Diocese @southwell_nottingham April 2021 southwell.anglican.org |
[email protected] THE RESURRECTION OF HOPE HOLDING ON TO HOPE Bishop Andy Emerton shares some thoughts on hope as we journey towards Holy Week and Easter. It is almost my turn. Of course, there may be further delays and other unforeseen problems with the supply chain, but it will not be long now before I expect to be contacted by the NHS to let me know that I am eligible to receive the Covid vaccine. The roll out has proceeded at pace and, so far, has been hugely effective in protecting the most vulnerable from serious illness and death. To date more than 27 million people have received one dose in the UK, with almost 2 million fully This interchange of battle and blessing, sorrow and vaccinated, involving a coordinated effort from joy, suffering and hope is one of the hallmarks of the Christian faith. It is Jesus’ own experience, and it is the pharmaceutical companies, the government, the experience of Holy Week that we are about to enter. NHS, the army and thousands of local volunteers. We Gethsemane: where Jesus struggles with anxiety and have a lot to be grateful for, not least the possibility stress as he confronts all that he is about to go the vaccines provide of a return to something like through, “Father if you are willing, take this cup from normality in our lives. me; yet not my will but yours be done”. Yet any signs of hope on the horizon are tinged with Relationships with his followers: moments of intimacy sadness, loss and grief.