Dear friends,

Easter is just around the corner. Ten days from now we will be celebrating the moment that history changed forever: the moment that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. We celebrate because he did it for us. As the modern Easter hymn says, 'And we are raised with him, death is dead, love has won, Christ has conquered.' Yes and Amen!

But before we celebrate, we journey with Jesus towards the Cross. It's a journey that begins this Sunday - Palm Sunday - as we remember how Jesus arrived in Jerusalem in triumphant yet surprising majesty. It's a journey that causes us to reflect on some of the most difficult of Scriptures, including Psalm 88 which grapples with the feeling of being abandoned by God. And it's a journey that leads us through the apparent hopelessness of the Cross and Jesus' death.

Jesus' closest followers certainly went through the full range of human emotions in that first Holy Week. As we look ahead to Easter, I find myself pondering the messiness of our emotions. Life would be easier if our emotions came one at a time, wouldn't it?! But the reality is that they often come together, running in parallel like train tracks (the Inside Out films capture this beautifully).

Think of Jesus. On the night before he died, Jesus prayed so hard for a way out that he sweat drops of blood. At the same time, the Bible says that 'for the joy set before him, he endured the cross' (Hebrews 12:2). Joy and anguish run together. And of course, the celebrations following Jesus' rising from the dead would have been completely meaningless if Jesus hadn't actually died.

This messiness of emotions reminds me that our faith is deeply concerned with our honest lived experience. The Christian faith is not about escaping the world, and it's not about offering easy answers to life's big questions. No, the Christian faith is concerned about a radical engagement with the world around us, helping others find God in all the mess. It's the same radical engagement that Jesus showed, coming to us in our mess, and embracing all the highs and lows of human experience, all so that we might be with him where he is now.

I look forward to journeying with you this Holy Week. Together, may we draw nearer to Christ Jesus and to the world that he came to save.

With every blessing,

David
 
Lent Appeals - Final call for donations
The Marylebone Project is London's only refuge for women, many of whom are fleeing domestic violence, trafficking or homelessness. To give an Easter Egg is our way of showing that they are not alone, and supports the Project as they offer support to the many who have turned to them in desperation. TMP offers training in a number of skills, medical and emotional support in many ways and a home until more permanent housing can be found. The Meaningful Easter Eggs we are sending them are made from Fairtrade Chocolate and each box includes a small booklet telling the real Easter Story. £5.50 for each egg. 

The Diocesan Appeal for Angola and Mozambique is raising money for Climate Justice. These countries in Africa are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Cyclones have devastated areas and buildings. Green Anglicans engage in tree planting, litter collections, clearing culverts and beaches, but need more help. Please consider donating.

You can donate though our website or cardless payments can be made in Church for either/both these appeals every Sunday.
 
ARocha
One of our Mission Partners has announced monthly sessions this summer at Wolf Fields Nature Reserve, Southall. Attendance invited for single meetings or as many as you want, starting from tomorrow, Friday 11th April. All about growing/gardening in a changing climate Go to arocha.org.uk/learn-climate-resilience-skills-at-wolf-fields-nature-reserve/
 
Hymns of Praise at St David's Care Home
This Sunday 13th April at 2.30pm. A small team from St Stephen's have the pleasure of leading short services of worship at St David's Care Home on Castlebar Hill. There's room for the team to grow though, particularly as we try to build stronger links with the Home. Why not come along to see what it's all about?

Maundy Thursday Meal
We are holding our annual Maundy Thursday meal on Thursday 17th April at 7pm. If you would like to attend please sign up this Sunday or let Ann Toley know so we have an idea of numbers. Please also let her know if you are willing and able to help. ann@ststephens-ealing.org.
 
Walk of Witness
Friday 18th April, leaving St Stephen's at 9.45am and finishing at Christ the Saviour on Ealing Broadway. Thank you to all those who have offered to steward. We now have all we need!
 
Electoral Roll
The church Electoral Roll is the register of our voting members; it is a list of those who consider themselves to be a member of St Stephen's, Ealing and are qualified to attend and to vote at the Annual Church Meeting. Joining is a way of saying....“I belong” and an act of commitment to St. Stephen’s Church.

This year we are required to completely refresh our Electoral Roll. This means all those currently on the ER will be removed and will need to reapply and new members can also apply. The dates this will be happening are as follows:
ER Opening - Sunday 6th April
ER Closing - Sunday 27th April

You can complete a form in church, speak to Morgen Edwards (Electoral Roll Officer) or fill in the form online.
 
Christian Aid Week
Starts in a month's time! Some of us plan to join the Freedom Walk on Saturday 10th May. Organised by a Blue Badge Guide/Christian Aid supporter, we start at St. Martin's in the Fields for a short service at 12noon, before continuing on a 5 mile tour of other interesting churches, finishing at St. Paul's Cathedral for Evensong. All are invited, especially families with kids. A quiz, and interesting things for children as we walk. Registration before is advised. Please let Sue Charlton know if you're interested in joining us. 0790 8840 954. There are lots of 'escape routes' to leave before the end if you think you can't manage/don't have time to finish! And please sponsor us for Christian Aid!

Concert for Christian Aid at 3pm Sunday 18th May - with tea to follow. No charge, but donations welcome.

Sales of Plants and books on Sunday 11th May - please bring to church early that Sunday, for sale at Café time.
 
Annual Meeting
Sunday 18th May at 6.30pm, followed by refreshments – this is an important meeting where we can see how the church is doing and David can share his thoughts for the coming months – as well as electing Churchwardens and PCC members. Do pop it in your diary!  The papers will be uploaded nearer the time.  PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A CHANGE OF DATE.

Is this for you?  Elections to our Church Council
Nominations will open on Sunday 27th April and are invited for the following:
2 Churchwardens to serve for 1 year
3 PCC members to serve for 3 years
1 Deanery Synod member for 1 year
More information here.  Please think about whether you would like to stand or whether you might nominate someone who would like to stand. David is particularly keen to chat with anyone who feels a possible calling to be a churchwarden, as neither current churchwarden is able to stand again this year.

Queries to David Baylor or PCC Secretary Jane Maffett.
 
Dates for your Diaries
Saturday 10th May - Sleeves Up Saturday. Suitable for the whole family. More details to follow.
Sunday 18th May - AGM
 
Parish Prayer
These are the streets in our parish we are praying for this fortnight – please do pray for all who live there and for people to come to know Jesus.
Drayton Bridge Estate
Drayton Bridge Road
Sawyers Lawn
 
Prayer for the Week
True and humble king,
hailed by the crowd as Messiah:
grant us the faith to know you and love you,
that we may be found beside you
on the way of the cross,
which is the path of glory. Amen.