Six Parishes of The Saxonshore Benefice in North West Norfolk


	Updated for March 2008

Lawrence Campbell

Rev. L.H. Campbell
Rector and Rural Dean
St. Mary's Rectory
Old Hunstanton

Tel: 01485 532 169
Fax: 01485 534 271

The United Benefice of Hunstanton St Mary with Ringstead Parva St Andrew, Holme-Next-the-Sea St Mary the Virgin and Thornham All Saints, with Brancaster St Mary the Virgin, with Burnham Deepdale St Mary and Titchwell St Mary, with Choseley”, is the official name of this Benefice, which is rather a mouthful and so the name “The Saxon Shore Benefice” was chosen for these churches on the north west Norfolk coast.

March letter from Lawrence Campbell

Dear Friends,

Easter is very early this year, but the symbol of Easter will be in place as usual. Easter eggs have, of course, been in the shops for a long time now and hot cross buns seem to be available all year round. The other symbols, which are not man, made – flowers, lambs, and rabbits for example, will appear as usual. Most of them are signs of new life.

But for the followers of Jesus Easter began as a time of fear. Jesus had been arrested and put to death. They could not help wondering if they would be next. They gathered, frightened, behind closed doors. Would the tramp of marching feet and a sharp rap on the door signal the end for them? But then, early on the Sunday morning came news that they had not been expecting. The tomb where Jesus had been laid was empty. The women who had gone out early in the morning to complete their last loving rituals which had been interrupted by the Sabbath came rushing back to tell the others that they had found the tomb empty, and that they had been told by an angel “He is not dead but risen”.

This was news that they could not keep to themselves and soon all Jerusalem was filled with rumours. The high priests put out their official statement that the disciples had stolen the body but that did not stand up to close scrutiny. Why should men and women be prepared to face persecution and even death for a lie?

The disciples remembered the words of Jesus and realised that these had come true. Jesus had defeated the powers of sin and death – now His power was available for all who would follow Him.

This is the key to the Christian faith. “Jesus is alive”. Around this great fact all other Christian teaching takes its place and so we sing our praise on Easter day: “Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son, endless is the victory thou o’er death has won.

May the joy of the risen Christ be with you all this Easter time.

Lawrence Campbell