An article for April editions of parish magazines from the Archdeacon of Dudley, Nikki Groarke.
With Easter coming so late this year, and so much happening in the world, winter has felt long and dark for many. But, at last, spring has sprung and there are signs of new life all around. When the bright yellow daffodils appear, and the clocks finally go forward with the prospect of long summer evenings, it is easier to be hopeful about most things!
There are many signs of hope and green shoots in our parishes to celebrate too. As we continue to focus on our diocesan priorities we are seeing progress in each key area. Those churches which have been enabled to appoint a Children and Families Worker with grants from our Healthier Churches Fund are reporting steady growth in their engagement with children and young people, towards our goal of doubling the numbers in our churches. We are also seeing good relationships being developed with many of schools as the Church and School Partnerships Awards grow in popularity.
Many New Worshipping Communities are springing up, enabling people to explore what it means to worship God in different settings. Various groups are undergoing training in how to start and lead these, and some exciting stories are emerging, as I hope you will have seen on our website. And in our renewal churches we are also seeing new life, as attendance gradually increases and community engagement grows.
All these are signs of hope, of God at work in our diocese, as are the stories of confirmations, callings to new vocations, and the faithful witness of our congregations gathering week by week in churches of different traditions and in different contests across Worcestershire and Dudley.
I pray our hearts will be lifted as we prepare to share resurrection hope in this season, rejoicing in all God has done, and continues to do, amongst us.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)
