Letter to the Parish

The Easter Season

Last month I wrote a little piece about the service on Ash Wednesday - the start of Lent, and beginning 40-days of preparation before Easter Sunday. But, as we all know, the date of Easter Sunday moves each year. The earliest that that Easter falls is the 22nd March, and the latest is 25th April. I heard someone say the other day that we're always either commenting that, "Easter's early this year" or, "Easter's late this year"; but when the date falls in the middle you never hear anyone say, "Easter's got it exactly right this year"!

For those who want to know these things, the date of Easter Sunday is calculated as follows (in the Western Christian Church, using the Gregorian calendar!):

Easter falls on the Sunday following the (ecclesiastical) full moon that follows the Northern spring equinox. (Though there are complications and anomalies to this simplified calculation!)

In 1818 the full moon fell on Saturday March 21 (the equinox) and therefore the following day, March 22, was Easter Sunday - the last time it was at its earliest date; it will not fall as early again until 2285 - not that we will have to worry about that! The last time Easter Sunday fell on the latest possible date was 1943 - and the next time will be 2038. (If you're really into this, there's a website that gives the dates of every Easter Sunday from 1700 to 2299 - but that might be rushing your life away to spend too much time studying that!) I would certainly be happy if we do end up agreeing and adopting a fixed date for Easter.

Easter Sunday falls on the 27th March this year. ("Easter's early this year, isn't it?"!) To be able to fully participate in the joys and celebrations of Easter Day (the resurrection of Jesus Christ who died for you) then I would encourage you to join in the services marking the dark moment of Good Friday. To be ready for all that Good Friday means then I'd also encourage you to join in the services of Holy Week; and to prepare yourself for Holy Week through what remains of Lent.

Come and travel with other Christians from the cross of Ash Wednesday, to the empty cross - the cross of victory this Easter, and experience the full joy of Easter this year.

But as we do so, please remember to hold the Andrews family in your thoughts and prayers as they all try to come to terms with the tragic death of Caroline last month. The Christian hope of the Easter story and its meaning for all of us is especially true for them this year. Thank you for the way our community has come closer together to support the family and one another through this tragedy.

God bless you this Easter-time.

Revd. David Commander
Rector

Benefice of Benenden and Sandhurst

T: 01580 240658 E: david@dc-uk.co.uk