We just want to wish all our friends, followers, supporters a wonderful and happy Easter. Easter in the northern hemisphere is one of the signs of Spring. Regardless of belief, the signs are there, whether your faith is built upon Jesus on a cross and rising again, the remembrance of the escape from Egypt, an Easter bunny and eggs, each of these provide a symbol of new life. Over the past few years, times have been really difficult, a pandemic when we were isolated and just as we were all getting used to mixing again, costs rising so quickly that suddenly we don’t have the money to do the things that we have been planning to do for so long. A bit like the depths of winter, where everything seems dead, where there seems to be no hope, for many the future feels bleak, but if we look at nature, we see that the spring bulbs are beginning to flower, the twigs in our gardens seem to be developing very small buds. In these small signs we can see the coming of spring and in the festivals, the coming of spring is confirmed, so even in these bleak times let us all look for the small signs that there is hope. The many community Easter egg hunts that will, or have happened remind us that community is still there. The unrecognised acts of kindness happening every day, the small smile, saying good morning, remind us we are not alone. and for us here at NewStarts, the donations of furniture and food, that we will pass on to others remind us that our communities care for others and want to be part of making a better future for everyone. So as the nights grow shorter and the days grow longer we wish you Happy Easter, Chag Pesach sameach, Eostre, (a little bit early) Eid-Muburak and for our orthodox friends Happy Easter for next weekend.
GOD’S LIGHT ON THE PATH AHEAD
When the road you walk is dark.
May you always hear,
Even in your hour of sorrow,
The gentle singing of the lark.
When times are hard may hardness
Never turn your heart to stone,
May you always remember
when the shadows fall—
You do not walk alone.”
~ Irish Blessing
