Dear Friends.........

As we move towards Eastertide and the early days of spring, I’ve been thinking about two moments that have stayed with me over the past few weeks.   The first

was our Lent workshop in Banstead, where members of several churches gathered to reflect on Holy Week through art, poetry and music. The music was especially

moving, and the painting of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet felt so full of life that it seemed as though Jesus was speaking directly to us through it.

In the Sanctum, with friends from different congregations, I had a strong sense of

God’s presence.  I know God is always with us, but something about being together

— listening, talking, and sharing the story — helped us notice that presence more

clearly.  At a time when the world feels full of conflict, even a small moment of unity felt like a gift.  It reminded me how important it is simply to be engrossed in a story together.

A few days later, I watched Hoppers with my family — the new Disney film.  Hopper

follows Mabel, who “hops” into a robotic beaver to protect a threatened woodland

glade and discovers a hidden world of animal politics, danger and friendship.  There

was a point in the film when the animals realised their home was too beautiful to lose, and that struck me.  Their courage, their care for creation, and their determination not to give up felt close to the concerns many of us carry.  Watching it with my son also brought home my own worries about the future he will inherit.

When I place these two experiences side by side, I sense the same message running

through both: look for the goodness, don’t miss it, hear the music.  Notice what is

worth protecting.  Pay attention to the moments of friendship and unity that remind us of God’s steady presence.  And when the world feels heavy, we can ground ourselves in simple prayer or in encounters with others who help us keep going.

As spring unfolds around us, my hope is that we all find small ways to stay rooted in

faith — steady enough to face our worries, and open enough to notice the goodness that is already here.

Rev Siobhán Antoniou

Minister, North Downs Surrey Pastorate

Taken from the April edition of The Record