As this newsletter is written, we are entering into Holy Week: the time from
Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday where we spend particular focus on the last
week of Jesus’ life. This year, I have been thinking a lot about one of the last
things Jesus says before he dies on the cross: “It is finished.” We find this
pronouncement in the Gospel of John just before Jesus “hands over” his spirit
(sometimes translated as “gave up”).

What does Jesus mean by it is finished? Maybe this seems like a question with
an obvious answer, but I think it has at least a couple of interesting implications.
First, it suggests that Jesus isn’t on the cross by happenstance or bad luck.
Jesus chooses to die on the cross. Sometimes critics of Christianity suggest it is
a cruel God who would force his son to die. But that isn’t what happened! Out of
love for the world, Jesus decided to do the difficult and right thing. His sacrifice
means our life, and this is a beautiful gift Jesus gives to us!

Secondly, although Jesus declares “it is finished,” the story of God working in
the world isn’t done. Certain work is accomplished (most importantly, he wins
the fight against sin and death), but Jesus is still coming back, first in his
resurrected body, and then later at the Final Judgement. And Jesus sends the
Holy Spirit, who continues to work within us and through us in the world today.

I think this struck me particularly because we just finished our annual meeting,
and we made a decision about our way forward. We are going to try out a
partnership with St. David & St. Martin Presbyterian Church. That decision
implies an end to some of our discernment, yet it is far from the end of our
process of seeking to participate in God’s work in our neighbourhood. One
might say that is in fact a lifelong task!

My prayer for the coming months is that we are continually looking for
where God is at work and seeking to follow. I hope that we continue to
desire connection with our neighbours in fun and creative ways. I look
forward to meeting fellow siblings in Christ who are seeking the
same things so that we can encourage and lift each other up.
I am so grateful we are doing this together!

Happy Easter! He is risen indeed!

Blessings,
Meg

A Song from my Playlist:

“In Christ Alone” by Stuart Townsend and Keith Getty is a familiar song that tells the Easter story. Below is a virtual choir a cappella version arranged by Canadian David Wesley