Dear Friends in Christ,
Greetings in this season of illumination.
May we continually give thanks to God for the gift of life. The past months have been overwhelming and difficult, and they have also been an undeniable blessing in God. As light has shone, the Church has learned new skills in navigation. A journey in exile, a rising from deep lament, a fresh awareness of God’s mission-call, and our hope in where God is leading, are now woven into our story. Many of you prayed with me since last Easter psalm 137.1-6 “By the waters of Babylon . . .”, a prayer for the exiles, and a prayer for they who hope in the One God. We have prayed and reflected together, albeit physically distanced, and have felt great comfort and leading of the Spirit.
I hope that we may continue to journey in prayer and reflection, and do so now with Luke’s Gospel 4.18- 19
‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’
In a time of birthing new hope and of longing to be with people physically, let us pray for the many members of our diocese and the rich ministries they represent.
May you continue in God’s rich blessing and leading.
+ Geoffrey
Yours in Christ,
The Rt Rev. Geoffrey JJ Woodcroft
