Minister's letter -
‘How often have I desired to
gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings’ (Luke
13.34). As an image of care, Jesus’ picture of the hen gathering her children
is a wonderful image for this time of year.
Within
our congregation, every member of the church is allocated a pastoral visitor.
Recently, Lesley Lyle has agreed to join the pastoral team alongside Sonia,
Maureen, Jennifer and Geoff and Menna.
Each visitor has a duty of care to all those on their list. This is important work
that should be supported by the church as a whole, and we should honour the
contribution of pastoral visitors to church life.
The
hen gathering her chicks is also a good picture for mother’s day (or Mothering
Sunday as we should more properly say.) On mother’s day (March 30th) we
celebrate not only our own mothers but also the mothering of the church. As a
church we have a calling to share in the care of those around us. But even more
importantly, it reminds us that
God is a God who offers care and protection to all in need. As the psalm says, ‘He will cover you with his wings; you will be safe in his care’ (Psalm 91).
Jesus’ words are also a foreshadowing of his own suffering and death. Jesus used this image whilst on his way to Jerusalem. He longed to gather together the people of Jerusalem in the way a hen gathered her chicks, but he knew that the people were already rejecting him. In these words from the Gospel we can sense something of the pain and heartache of Jesus’ ministry which would culminate in the agony of crucifixion.
But then - resurrection! At Easter we celebrate the Jesus who rose again from the dead. He was dead, but now he is alive forever. This new life of resurrection is traditionally symbolised by Easter eggs and Easter chicks. Although it may seem twee, it is also true! God’s love and care in Jesus Christ brings to birth the gift of new life - for each and every one of us.
Happy Easter!
Phil Drake.