My Dear Friends and Parishioners,

Over the years this little bit of the Old Testament has come to me with ancient and new vigour, Isaiah Chapter 35; and I would recommend you to have a look: v.1 “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.” – Here is Spring…, the remembrance and daily delight of newness. I have watched flowers and leaves come to life here and have been pulled up with them.

But there is sadness, always sadness. I see more dying and dead people than do most, but there is another line: v.4 “Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.” That floors me. And it lifts me. Our Lord God is the Lord of Life. It was wonderful that in our parishes on Easter Sunday 266 people worshipped publicly. He rose for us all.

Now, v.10 ”And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Christ Jesus is King and Lord of All. You. Me. The Pigs. The Goats. The Chickens. The newts. Now is the time of our Wake up. Be stirred. Be of good cheer. By His blood we are saved.

May I wish you a full Enjoyment of the Summer.

Yours very truly,

Ian Whittle Sanguis Christi vivifira nos.

The Rectory, Langham 01328 830246