Dear Church Family,

Analysts speak about the three phases that follow a disaster: the response phase, the recovery phase and the reconstruction phase.

According to this, we’re coming out of the response phase and are entering the recovery phase. And how much it is needed. We’re all more weary than we probably think. Twelve months of changes and the accumulated grief of lost loved ones, and lost opportunities and freedoms, drain us emotionally and psychologically.

Christ Jesus’ invitation is encouraging:

Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Ultimately He is offering us the rest of the new creation or heaven – in Genesis 2:2 God rested on the 7th day of creation and that day never ended. Hebrews 4:9 tells us ‘there remains a Sabbath rest for God’s people’ – eternal life in His presence as co-rulers of His perfect kingdom. And in this age he is offering the rest of peace with God.

This rest is particularly needed as the tragic deaths of George Floyd and Sarah Everard have reminded us – this world is neither a fair, nor a safe, place.

While we wait for the full rest that Jesus promises, we want to do all the good we can to make this a better world; a fairer, safer place.

We can play our part by joining the Diocesand Evangelical Union’s discussion of racial equality and inequality on Wednesday 24 March. Please note that this is a week later than advertised in the last newsletter.

To join the meeting please write to info@southwarkdeu.org and you will be sent a zoom link. 

This evening, Wednesday 17 March, we’re going to be praying for fairness and safety on our streets. Please join me through the mid week link below on this newsletter. 

Your brother in Christ,

Ian