A message from the Rev’d Stephen Sutcliffe

Posted by Admin on 19 March 2020, 9:45 pm

The Rev’d Stephen Sutcliffe

Assistant Curate

2 St Faiths Rd

Cowes.

Tel: 01983 652506

Email: steve.alan.sutcliffe@icloud.com

Hello my friends,
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We live in unprecedented times and as I write this piece for the Newsletter, the Covid-19 virus (or coronavirus) is having a huge impact upon our lives.
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But it is in these times of uncertainty that our community spirit, that we value so much, comes into action significantly. The good that is within us all, reaches out to those in need, to those who are vulnerable and to the fearful.
Hope, as I’ve said before, is a basic human necessity. Without it, we can quickly lose our purpose in life. With it, anything is possible.
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The Easter message is built upon hope, upon rebirth, upon Resurrection. And as we come together in solidarity that is what is being shown in great quantities. The promise that things will get better, things will improve and when they do… there’s going to be one almighty party! And a stronger, more hopeful community is reborn.
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So Easter is all about hope, rebirth, Resurrection and celebration. Easter is about celebrating all that we are and recognising the good that is in us and where that good comes from. It has often been said that without Easter, Christmas would be worthless. Although we enjoy the love that is shared at Christmas with all of the giving and receiving of gifts and cards and in sharing time together, it is the hope of the Easter Story that we all need in these dark days.
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If the Covid-19 virus brings out the worst in us, the actions that we take in responding to the virus will bring out the best. The way scientists focus on developing vaccines to combat the virus. And the way our amazing medical teams put themselves in harm’s way to tend to us in our time of need. The way we all take responsibility for not only our own health but the health and well-being of others. It is then that I see God at work, that I see God reaching out and tending to us. The good that lies within us all is a sign of God.
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At the bottom of this article are links to a downloadable document containing a set of four forms, “coronavirus postcard”, that may be used to offer your neighbour some assistance. You may have already offered help. You may be just waiting to see if you can. With any help offered though it is vital that your own situation and health comes first.
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You might be just too busy to help and that is OK, you might have your own health conditions that prevent you from offering help and that is fine too. But if you can offer help, please do. Download the document, print off some copies, fill in your details and post it through the door of someone who might be self-isolating. And help to bring home the message of hope, of solidarity, of community and of mutual human love for others.
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The Easter message with all of the hope it affords us, is something to reflect upon, something that can offer us peace. In a chaotic and confusing world, it is a stable, comforting foundation on which we can build our lives. That whatever challenges come our way through life, God offers the hope and the joy of Resurrection, a new beginning and a new hope for all people.
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That sense of hope, that sense of peace and that knowledge of unconditional love is the overriding message that comes out of the Easter message for me. And although our churches are closed to public worship, for the time being, that message is still relevant to all of humanity and remains the same. God is with us, in our worry, in our despair but in our hope and resurrection.
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My prayer for us all in these difficult days is that the Easter message of hope, love and peace will fill our hearts and we will find the peace of God through the season of Easter. Amen.
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With every blessing,
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Rev’d Steve

coronavirus postcard – Word document

coronavirus postcard – PDF document