March 2008 Update

The Services page has been updated with details of all the services in March 2008.

Why is Easter so early this year?

Easter this year is unusually early, 23rd March. It has not been this early since 1913. The earliest possible date is 22nd March, but the last time it was on that day was in 1818. This can create problems for school terms, with children having to return for 4 days after Easter, but it may mean there are still daffodils in bloom to decorate the church.

The reason the date varies is because Easter is linked to the Jewish festival of Passover, and the Jewish calendar is influenced by the moon. Over the centuries calendars have diverged, but Easter is calculated as the Sunday after the first full moon on or after 21st March.

The original events of the Easter season, the death and resurrection of Jesus, took place at the Passover festival. Passover looked back to the night when the Israelites escaped from slavery in Egypt, at night under a full moon. In order to be rescued, a lamb had to be sacrificed for every Jewish family. Easter similarly looks back to the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. His death made it possible for us to escape from God’s judgment and slavery to habits that control us.

Easter is the highlight of the year in church, when Christians remember the most wonderful and world changing events in history. You would be most welcome to come and join in the Easter celebrations. Perhaps if you notice the next full moon, it may remind you not only about the date of Easter, but also the events they remember.

Andy Saville