As Spring approaches I am feeling hopeful! I am hoping the rains we’ve experienced will have receded somewhat and that the sun will break through. I have recently been made to realise I talk a lot about the weather and what is happening around us in nature. Our youngest, our son, lives a London life with his lovely partner and new baby. He thinks it is hilarious that in his view I speak as if I am in a Jane Austen novel!! Apparently it is because I talk about the days drawing out and Spring approaching – oh and I use the word ‘Hark’ on occasion! My retort is that everyone talks like that in Capel and Ockley. Anyway, as I said I am being hopeful. So I will continue in my Jane Austen way and remark to you that the month of March looks to be a very busy one. We are travelling through Lent, our churches somewhat bare of floral decoration, apart from Mothering Sunday and of course to celebrate the joy of Easter Day when flowers adorn every surface our churches can give us. In the meantime we are in the season of preparation for all of that because
to know and appreciate the joy of Easter Sunday fully, Good Friday has to be gone through.
It seems to me that life is often like that. To achieve certain things we have to prepare, to practice, be challenged, be stretched. I am thinking of the recent Winter Olympics as we’ve seen athletes at the pinnacle of their careers flying down the ski runs and the skeleton! One can only imagine the years of preparation and practice in their homelands that lead up to the final competition.
Of course we sometimes experience trials where we have not had a chance to practice our coping techniques so that is when we need to draw on our inner resources and the help and support of others.
I have to say these first weeks of 2026 have felt challenging both personally, ministry wise and in our communities. We have had to say goodbye to some much loved individuals in both Capel and Ockley, which have taken their toll. Yet all of these dear people lived their lives to the full, and were hopeful that they were going on to a new life altogether. We just miss them! We are also devastated that our Bishop of Guildford, Bishop Andrew, has recently been diagnosed with an inoperable cancer, with very limited time left. Yet he is hopeful. Writing to the diocese he says he is relieved that despite his diagnosis, his faith in the ‘resurrection of the body and the life everlasting’ has only grown stronger in the last few weeks. He admits that privately he has always worried that when faced with the starkness of a terminal diagnosis his faith in the Risen Christ might falter. He says this: “Well it hasn’t. Or better still, God hasn’t faltered. Quite the reverse”. These words are profoundly moving which speak deeply of lived resurrection hope. Hope not because of personal strength, but because of God’s faithfulness. Our hearts and prayers are with Bishop Andrew, Beverley and their family at this time.
So let us be hopeful, continuing to encourage one another, so we can say joyfully on Easter Sunday that Christ indeed is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
With my love and prayers as ever
Revd Liz
Postscript: Since writing the above we are deeply saddened to now inform that Bishop Andrew has now died, peacefully at his home Willow Grange surrounded by his family. May he rest in peace and rise in glory. Please do see the editors further comments and letters from the diocese regarding this. There will be prayer cards for Bishop Andrew available in both our churches.
Revd.Liz Richardson
liz@hostmyserver.co.uk
Post expires at 10:47am on Sunday March 21st, 2027