Beloved in Christ
I wonder what consolations the past week has delivered at the doorstep of your heart, this week. From the sound of those in our Zoom discussion, it seems as if most felt that lockdown has been a healthy, life-giving period: yet I know of many who are now steeped in despondency.  That is what Ignatius describes as desolation. It is deep and dark and we have all touched that reality at some stage, hopefully not now. Yet, according to those who guide us, desolation, once accepted, is the time for real self understanding and knowledge, a time to re-assess and re- grow, The extremes and way in which we move from one to another, consolation and desolation, might sound like a different turn of phrase but in fact it is Ignatian.  
In clergy discussions and in our Wednesday Zoom meetings, I re-introduced  Elizabeth Kubler Ross’ 5 stages of dying: anger, rejection, bargaining, depression and ultimately, acceptance. Be kind and gentle with yourself as you reflect on where you are on the scale, and where is the grief cycle you have spent time.  What I do know is that God is wherever we are, closer than our breath, and seeing us as the ‘apple of God’s eye’ God’s Imago Dei.  I also know that there are some, maybe many, who we can reach out and be as Christ to them, giving assurance and comfort.  Keep some of that for yourself.
It is leaftime early summer and this season is very beautiful, and invitational.  Let us grow deeper roots and support those who need, like the beech trees, to cling to sloped ground, and, once rooted, stay stable. Just look at the magnificent rootedness in the attachment!
I will be at St Margaret’s tomorrow and love our Eucharist and time together.  Soon, soon we shall meet.  I almost wept when I saw church in action once again, in Germany.
I’m delighted with the way Zoom is enabling us.  St Mary’s, set up by Betty, had their first, very satisfying vestry meeting, and the Wednesday group met, discussing Elizabeth Kubler Ross and how that impacts on our status quo.  We all desire the group to enlarge, as each of us make a difference to one another. I certainly felt nourished and enriched, having see your faces once again, and learned from your wisdom. I’m also delighted that these weekly emails are on our respective websites! Well done Christine and Betty!
Hoping too that you are enjoying the SEC Sunday Eucharists. I thought our Primus was wonderful, talking about his crozier as something to lean on whilst he blathered to others.  I just love that picture.  I also picked up his Monday brief reflection on YouTube.  We have great praying joyful and real leaders! 
Tomorrow, Sunday: Acts 7: 55 to 60; psalm 31: 1 to 5 and 17 and 18; 1 Peter 2: 2 to 10; John 14: 1 to 14.  See you from St Margaret’s and know you are prayed for! Follow the SEC online service at the same time. 
A lovely Collect you could pray this week is:Eternal God, your son Jesus Christ is the way, the truth ad the life for all creation:Grant us Grace to walk in his way. Rejoice in his truth, and share his risen life;who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, now and forever.Amen, 

Let’s be reminded of Jesus’ own words,’No one puts new wine into old wineskins; if they do, the skin will burst, and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are kept in good condition.’ Let us help each other to make newness and healthiness!
Grace and peace Kathy

Beloved in Christ I’ve just been chatting to some parishioners, and laughingly commented that the first topic of conversation is the weather, and so it should be, as it is changeable and directly affects us!  All in the midst of spring… I’d forgotten how nature’s episodes show off the snowdrops, then daffodils, then bluebells, then buttercups, nettles —– and it’s so with us – God is revealing seasonal changes in us, and we are always taken by surprise by the renewing season of feeling change, and warmth in our spirits.  We are on our way to Pentecost, aren’t we?  I pray that your encounters with the resurrected real Jesus are sustaining you, and maybe giving you new insights. St Augustine said that  we are spiritual beings on an earthly journey.  Let us live into that and be sure that every day we are attending to the spiritual garden God is now giving us time to potter around in!
ZOOM conversations on Wednesday meetings at 8pm are wonderful: last week we looked at how to ‘do’ church when we come out of lockdown: we started to picture ourselves arriving, listening to scripture and exploring God’s new way of being not do-ing in a changed world,  preparing for communion and partaking in it, (not to forget taking collection). Next week we return to a more spiritual, reflective focus and discussion.  We need that spiritual nourishment. We have decided to open our link to anyone you would recommend joining.  Fresh insight is so valuable, and refreshing. 
WEBSITES: Christine and Betty have added to our internet pages – do take a look at stmaryschurchnewportontay.org and stmargarettayport.org. It’s great that we are sharing photos and these newsletters.  It would be marvellous to have some overseas interest in joining Zoom! 
SERVICES I hope you are enjoying the Episcopal video of the Eucharist on Sundays at 11 (or  you can watch them later at your convenience). By the way a lot of people are enjoying the flexibility of worship, during this lockdown. I continue to celebrate the Eucharist, tomorrow at 11 at St Mary’s.  You will see some photos of St Margaret’s last week. I was very moved to look from the altar at the empty church, and longed for you to take up your usual places!  It is a beautiful experience for me, and I am aware of your presence, and pray for each of you. Do join me once again. In the afternoon at 4, I have another dedicated prayer and healing service, and have decided rather to hold that at home, than to transgress the law and go out again in a day. Light your little candle and join me. 
READINGS. Are you enjoying the Eucharist readings – I think we should keep to them throughout our green Easter season.They are 

FACE MASKS That strange picture shows you how well the little masks I made for you work.  I made several rows of reinforcing stitches so that they are more durable. Do use them when you shop! Please pray for Steve and Dorothy Lemon, who showed some cv symptoms and are in self isolation. ENJOY this time – make it God space

Thoughts and prayers Kathy
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