Dear Friends, what joy it was to see so many of you at the regional training days I attended and to hear and see photos of the others.

There is something special that happens when we step out of the comfort zones of what we know in our ministry contexts, to gather and network and learn together as a wider Diocesan movement. Big thanks to the Dio team, workshop presenters and host parishes for helping make those happen.

On Thursday we celebrate Ascension Day which is always celebrated 40 days after Easter. So what you may ask? Well, it’s kind of a big deal really; The Ascension is one of the major feast days in the Christian Calendar. In fact in some countries it has been a public holiday of the order of Easter and Christmas.  St Augustine of Hippo (c.353-430) said it dated back to the Apostles and was in existence as a festival long before his time. It marks the day that Christ ascended to the right-hand of the Father, where he now lives to make intercession for us and from where he (with the Father) poured out the Holy Spirit on all believers. In the Eastern churches it is known by the Greek  terms “Analepsis”, literally “ taking up” and the “Episozomene” or “salvation from on high”-  which indicates the completion of the work of redemption when Christ ascends and enters his glory.

What does that all mean for us today? Why would we recognise this day as important? I think the ascension points to the completion of a story that we ourselves are only part way through. It points to a time when our own work will be complete and when we too will enter God’s glory and enjoy God’s presence for ever. The scriptures also make clear that just as Christ has ascended, so too he will come again in his glory- so we need to be ready for him; that’s the daily business of keeping short accounts with one another and with God, living each day as if it had eternal significance  (which it does!) and making sure we act as kingdom citizens ( so people can see God in us) now, and don’t just think we can leave that for when we die.

In our Covid shaped climate we have become quite used to retreating and focussing on the close and near things of our lives. The challenge today is widening our circles and re expanding our world to include and connect with our wider community in meaningful and life-giving ways again.  As I go about the Diocese I am so encouraged to hear of the creative responses to felt needs in the community and from the desire of our faith communities to be sharing the good news of Jesus in whatever ways they can. We want to be touching the places in our communities where God’s presence, through his people can flourish and bring new life to the weary, struggling and broken.

I know many of you will be launching prayer initiatives for the Thy Kingdom Come prayer wave from Ascension to Pentecost, as together we “light up the world in prayer” and I am praying with you for a fruitful time of pressing into God that we see his “kingdom come on earth, as in heaven”. Whether you are doing this a community or as individuals can I encourage you to pray with expectation. Expectation that our Five will come to know Jesus; that our churches would be emboldened to share the Good News of God’s love in Jesus; that the Holy Spirit would bring revival as God moves in our midst; that the lives of those we pray for would be transformed.

Last week’s gospel reading reminded us that Jesus was sending “another advocate” who would lead us into all truth. So we now have Jesus himself and the Holy Spirit representing us, inspiring and adding strength to our prayers, and interceding for us when we don’t have the words! This makes my jaw drop! We don’t pray alone but in the company of the Trinity! Our prayers are heard, as God our loving parent listens to our needs and responds in wisdom. My experience is that when we partner with God in prayer and in reaching out to our communities, giving out in this way, God does a deep work in his people and he is glorified. So, let us pray and act as God leads, and Lord, may you come in your renewing, reconciling power. Maranatha! O Lord Jesus, come.

Julie