Dear Friends,

‘Alleluia, He is risen!

He is risen indeed, Alleluia!’

I am writing this letter with the joy of these acclamations still ringing in my ears and the amazement of the Resurrection very much in my heart. I think Easter Day is now the only time when I experience the overwhelming exuberant excitement of childhood!

After the rigours of Lent and the deep despair of Holy Week just to walk into a Church full of light and colour and the scent of flowers makes my spirit leap – it is the first and immediate sign of God’s power and glory. It is a symbol of God’s ability to make all things new, to bring light and life into the darkest and bleakest parts of our life’s experience.

This year, for the first time in Turvey Church, we have a Paschal Candle. We cheated a bit because we lit it at the morning service when the daylight was already far advanced. Perhaps next year we can keep the Easter Vigil on the Saturday night before Easter Day. Then we can kindle the fire outside the Church door and really let the new light of Easter into the darkened Church. The Easter Vigil is a wonderful service. It is a reminder of how even one tiny little light, the flame of one candle, can transform the pitchest black into a warm and safe place to be. Then, from this one candle, others are lit, until the Church is full of light and resurrection hope – now the way forward is clearly marked, now we can follow the light of the risen Christ

In my letter last month, I wrote about the anxiety of waiting to know what would happen in Iraq. Now we are only too clear about what has happened –we have seen events graphically unfold before our eyes. We have seen the devastation and suffering caused by the evils of oppression and war, suspicion, greed, anxiety and misunderstanding. But we have also seen some glimmers of light and hope. Not necessarily in the grand media-hyped gestures that have become ‘causes célèbres’, but in the growing trust between some groups of the military and the local population and in the attempts to build a new and safer homeland for all the people. What we now need to do is to trust in the power of God, that all these small flames, these tiny candles shining in the dark, may light a bigger fire.

In and through the risen Christ, God shows that he has the power to bring light into the darkest places: to transform the whole world. Our job is to show that to the world, in whatever grand or humble place we may find ourselves.

Yours in Christ

Jo Spray.

The rebuilding of Iraq and other places devastated by conflict

Mary Hanbury to be confirmed in Banbury on 3^rd May

Stirling Deeprose to be baptised here on 4^th May

Our parish, especially our farmers and those who provide our food.

It was good to see so many people involved – cleaning, polishing, washing linen, generally helping with organisation of services – and of course arranging so many lovely flowers and enriching all our worship with music.

Christian Aid Week – 11^th to 17^th May. We have been asked by the Deanery to do the Christian Aid collection in our parish. I will put the envelopes out at the back of Church with a list of roads we need to cover. If you could manage to take your road – or somewhere near you- I would be most grateful. Envelopes may be returned to me – unless anyone else would like to offer!

Jo Spray

Auction of Promises. This will now be held on FRIDAY 9^th MAY, not Saturday 10^th as previously advertised. It is in aid of the Church Roof Fund and the Recreation Ground. There are some splendid lots – so do come and bid!

Please don’t forget the Church APM on 29^th April – in Church, 7.15pm – this will be followed by a presentation by our Architect about the work to be done on the Church roof.

Coffee Mornings. The next coffee morning will be at 7 Elmwood on Saturday 17th. May at 10.15a.m. Please note that this is the third Saturday of the month and not the usual second one! There will be a raffle and bring-and-buy stall, contributions for which will be very welcome.

Thank you to everyone who helped with and supported the April coffee morning at Homelands. A good time was had by all and we raised £329 towards Church Funds!

Church Flowers. Thank you to everyone who donated money for the Easter flowers and to everyone who helped to decorate the church so beautifully.

Thanks are also long overdue to those people who have retired from the flower rota after many years in which they so generously gave of their time and talents.

Mothers’ Union. Deanery Festival, 13^th May at 2 pm in Church followed by tea in the Village Hall, and on 15^th May a talk by Rob Spray in the Manor Room, also at 2 pm.