Letter from the Minister

'Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven?     This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.'    (Acts 1: 11)

The month of May includes a number of important dates in the Christian calendar: Ascension Day (14th), Pentecost (24th) and Trinity Sunday (31st) all fall within the same month this year.

Ascension Day always falls on the fortieth day from Easter and, since Easter always falls on a Sunday, Ascension Day always falls on a Thursday. Unlike Pentecost and Trinity, the Ascension is not widely celebrated in Western Churches. In fact, across many Christian traditions, there appears to be more focus on Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection. Yet, this ancient but often-overlooked event has been marked since the fourth century, one of the ecumenical feasts that is noted across all Christian traditions. It is a key aspect of our faith, worthy of celebration.

The Ascension is the transitional moment when Jesus Christ physically ascended into heaven in the presence of his disciples. It marks an ending – the ending of the physical presence of Jesus on earth; but it also marks a beginning – the beginning of Jesus’ heavenly reign, as well as the beginning of the disciples taking Jesus’ ministry on. It is not just a historical event, but a powerful reminder that Jesus completed his mission on earth and returned to his Father in glory.

The Ascension is very relevant to us today:

•  It signifies Jesus’ enthronement at the right hand of God, ‘‘above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come" (Ephesians 1:20).

• It marks the start of Jesus’ high priestly ministry, where he intercedes on our behalf (Hebrews 7: 25; 8:24)

• Like a door, it connects Jesus’ earthly ministry to the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1: 4-5), empowering us to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to others

• It assures all believers of Christ’s second coming (Acts 1: 10-11)

In a world filled with so much fear, uncertainty and brokenness, the Ascension gives us hope; real, tangible hope. It assures us that Jesus is alive and that he reigns above all.

At the scene of the Ascension, the two men in white asked the disciples, ‘‘Why do you stand looking up at the sky?’’ That was the nudge they needed to get going again. We  also sometimes need a gentle nudge from the Holy Spirit to stop us merely staring and to jolt us back into action with the commission to be witnesses (Acts 1:8).

For this same Lord Jesus

shall return again,

with his Father's glory,

with his angel train;

all the wreaths of empire

meet upon his brow,

and our hearts confess him

King of glory now.

(Stf 317)

Love and blessings,

Georgina