Easter themes

 We had a lovely time meeting on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, making new friends and reuniting with old friends.

Our themes were: Whatever happened on Good Friday? Whatever happened on Easter Sunday?

On Good Friday, we enjoyed a dramatic version of the story from our member Irene and then we explored the historical background to the crucifixion and the role of Pontius Pilate. Were the crucifixions ritual, annual events aimed at intimidating all the Jews gathering in Jerusalem and subverting their passover week? We then examined Isaiah 52 to help us understand what happened when Jesus was placed on the cross. He bore our "griefs and sorrows", our "transgressions and iniquities".

On the Sunday we sang the 20th century hymn "Because he lives" (familiar to only about half of us) before exploring the significance of the Resurrection, examing what Jesus is quoted as saying in the gospel of John: "Because I live, you will live" and "I am come that you may have life in its fulness". We remembered our late friend Jennifer, who truly lived an abundant life in spite of straitened circumstances "always the loudest amen!". We had on display a newly discovered Easter artwork from Jennifer and will talk more about that in the future.