Serving God in the heart of our community since 1881

St Andrew's Church, Taunton

Ascension Day 2007

Thursday 17 May 2007 - 7.30pm in church

by Katharine Smith

“Jesus  was lifted up before their very eyes, and a cloud took him from their sight.  They were gazing intently into the sky as he went …..”

What do you see when you read those words?  Jesus being sent with a whoosh into the sky like a super-powered firework perhaps; or Jesus going up gently as if in a transparent lift?

I imagine that the disciples are looking at him with the sun behind him.  Suddenly the sun light seems impossibly bright and they can no longer see Jesus against its intensity.  The light fades again but Jesus is no longer there.

Ascension Day marks the ending of one kind of resurrection appearance of Jesus and I wonder if it felt like a second bereavement for his friends.

He has gone to be with his Father but leaves behind him a confused bunch of people who know they’ve got to wait in Jerusalem although they’re not sure what it is they’re waiting for.

We know, of course, that they’re waiting for the gift of the Holy Spirit which marks the beginning of a new way of Jesus being with his followers.  We too wait this year with excitement and, possibly, with a little uncertainty and fear, to see what God will say to us through his Holy Spirit this Pentecost.

Russell Bowman-Eadie

But back to Ascension Day:  We are delighted to be welcoming Canon Russell Bowman-Eadie who will preside and preach at our evening Eucharist. (7.30pm).

Russell is the Diocesan Director of Ministry Development and works with Graham Dodds who we met when he visited us in January.

Russell organises Continuing Ministerial Education for clergy and Readers and runs courses on preaching, amongst other things.

He is a gifted and inspirational preacher and anything he has to say about Ascension Day will be well worth hearing.  He’s also blessed with a great sense of humour and a warmth that has touched all those of us who have had the privilege of learning from him.  We look forward to him being with us.

Katharine Smith

Reader at St. Andrew's Church

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