HAPPY EASTER!

When Susan, who was leading our service this morning, mentioned "Blessings of the Easter Basket" a tradition from Poland, I just knew that somewhere chocolate would be involved.

Blessings of the Easter Basket is a practice dating to the 15th century or earlier, and one which is still maintained by most families in Poland on Holy Saturday. You can see more details here.

We sang some great songs and after a short sermon, we were encouraged to make our own Easter basket and told there may be a surprise! We were sitting with our friend, Elizabeth, who decided she would rather not make a basket, so after sitting with her for a while, I took a photograph of Aaron, Erica and Geoff, visiting from Zimbabwe, and then Elizabeth and lastly, one of the baskets, filled with chocolate mini eggs. Susan very kindly gave her basket to Elizabeth and Janet, Elizabeth's mum gave hers to me, so we didn't miss out!

After the service some of us stayed for a Bring & Share lunch and it was good to sit next to Elizabeth and chat with her and other friends.

Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life.
The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;
and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.
Do you believe this?’
John 11 : 25-26 New International Version

The chorus of this beautiful song, entitled "Alive" sung by Natalie Grant, says it all.