This week RCC students were able to head over to EAC and compete in the Gardiner Chess Inter-School Chess Championships. They had a great day and had some great battles on the chess board. A special mention goes out to Anthony and Trey as they both received merits for their individual performance.
As we enter into the Easter-Eve week, and prepare for Easter Alive 2023, I am happily reminded of our inaugural event last year. Last year we reminded our community of the importance of hope in our personal, local and global communities.
I read an article this week reporting the Pope’s most recent message to the people and was encouraged by his reminder that, “Jesus gives life even when it seems that all hope has gone” (para 2, Hattrup, 27/3/23).
The Pope spoke on John 11, a passage where the followers of Jesus are most upset and very critical of Jesus’ actions because he was not there to save his friend, Lazarus from dying. Jesus’ friends argue with him as to why he would delay when he could have saved his friend from death and them from suffering (a question I think we have all asked God at different times).
The Pope calls this passage a “a hymn to life” stating that there “are moments when life seems to be a sealed tomb: Everything is dark, and around us we see only sorrow and despair. [Lazarus’ miraculous rising] tells us that it is not like that, this is not the end, that in these moments we are not alone; on the contrary, it is precisely in these moments that He comes closer than ever to restore life to us” (para 2, Hattrup, 27/3/23).
I encourage you to read the full article (If you’re done with hope, Jesus’ message is this one, says Pope). The Pope continues by encouraging everyone to allow Jesus to take us by the hand and miraculously lead us out of our ‘sealed tomb’ moment, even when it all doesn’t make sense.
What a wonderful thought, to let the Living God take us by the hand and lead out of trouble.
RCC is excited to have Pablo, our local Uniting Church minister, come and speak at our Easter Alive assemblies this coming week on the importance of a relationship with Jesus that allows us the confidence to do just that – let Him call us out and lead us beyond our seemingly sealed tombs.
Please join us for all or any of the week’s events (Upcoming RCC Events).
As a community who desires the best for our kids, our families and our future, I encourage you over the Easter period to ask for, rely on, seek out God’s miraculous presence and provision; no matter where you are on the journey.
Have a blessed Easter and don’t forget to join us for Easter Alive…
Jonno
