Dear Friends

Well the time of waiting is over and the risen Christ is among us. Allelujah! For most of the cycle of the Christian church’s year we spend our time learning what it means to live resurrection in the Church and the world, both for ourselves and with others.

This month sees two important and very different occasions.

On the 8th May all are welcome to Bradford Cathedral to a celebration Eucharist at 6.30 pm to mark the 10th Anniversary of the ordination of women to the priesthood in the Church of England in this Diocese. On this day in 1994 twelve women priests were ordained by Bishop David Smith in the cathedral. For myself I cannot quite believe that 10 years have passed. I remember waiting for the General Synod decision in November 1993. I had been a deacon for two years by then. I wondered whether I would go to work abroad if the decision was not in favour, as it would probably be at least 10 more years before the matter was considered again. So much has happened in the last 10 years! Obviously this is about those of us who are ordained women, but it is also about all who are called to the priesthood, it is about the Church and ministry in the world. All of us are changed by this decision that the Church made whether we feel part of the wider Church or not.

This month also sees the annual Christain Aid week collection which has become so well known over the years. In my past experience of knocking on doors it is a time when many people feel able to give something having heard of the work of Christian Aid through literature and TV advertising. This year they are continuing with their theme Life B4 Death (this was always such a good strapline it was probably inevitable that it would stay around!) looking at Christian Aid around the world.

It feels as if resurrection life is about living life to the full; discovering who we are and what we are called to, which will never be just about ourselves. For as we truly live out our vocation, so hopefully we also recognize the vocation of others to live out their lives fully. We are challenged not just to stand by while others are thwarted in their hopes, but to act so that fullness of life, resurrection life may be possible for all.

Yours in Christ,

Ruth