An Easter Message from Rev Chris Bunce

As we gather this Holy Week and Easter, we stand at the meeting point of deep sorrow and unshakeable hope. The story of Easter does not begin in joy, but in darkness—in betrayal, suffering, and the grief of Good Friday. It reminds us that God does not turn away from the pain of the world, but enters into it fully. And so, as we look upon our own world today, especially the ongoing war and conflict in the Middle East, we cannot pretend that all is well. We see lives lost, families torn apart, and communities living in fear. Our hearts ache, and rightly so.

Yet Easter speaks into this very reality. The resurrection of Jesus is not a denial of suffering, but a declaration that suffering does not have the final word. The stone is rolled away not only from the tomb, but from every place where despair seems immovable. In the risen Christ, we are given a hope that is not fragile or fleeting, but enduring and alive—a hope that insists that peace is still possible, that reconciliation is still worth striving for, and that love is stronger than death.

At the same time, we cannot miss the quiet, persistent signs of new life all around us. Spring has come again. The earth, which seemed barren and lifeless just weeks ago, is now bursting with colour and vitality. Blossoms open, birds sing, and longer days invite us to step outside and breathe deeply. Creation itself seems to echo the message of Easter: that life can emerge from what appears to be lifeless, that renewal is woven into the very fabric of God’s world.

This Easter, we are called to live as people of resurrection. That means holding sorrow and hope together—refusing to ignore the pain of the world, while also refusing to surrender to it. It means choosing kindness where there is division, seeking understanding where there is conflict, and offering compassion where there is hurt.

May the risen Christ meet you where you are today—in your joys and in your struggles—and may the promise of new life take root in your heart. For Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

The Rev’d Chris Bunce
Team Rector – Hitchin and St Paul’s Walden.
Rural Dean of Hitchin

A Million for St Mary’s update

St Mary’s appeal is continuing to raise funds for important facilities to be built into the Church. We remain deeply indebted to those who have given of their time and money so generously as we continue working towards our £1million target.  We needed to upgrade the medieval building to a 21st Century level in some key ways! The aim was to provide toilets inside the building, with water and drainage for the first time in 1200 years, a small hospitality area plus infrastructure like better heating. We are now on the final stage to complete the plant room and toilet area, and the new heaters are working and have transformed the experience in Church. <

For full details please follow the link HERE https://www.stmaryshitchin.co.uk/a-million-for-st-marys-renewal/ and this is the special link to donate direct to the appeal HERE https://givealittle.co/c/6omADxD1YQCEVd6QobXnrm . We hope it will enable St Mary’s to provide a better service to the community who use the building for many and varied uses as well as its primary purpose of worship.”

Latest News Stories

https://youtu.be/sUZznPbqp6A

Repair work to begin on Hitchin’s St Mary’s Church
https://www.thecomet.net/news/24867101.repair-work-begin-hitchins-st-marys-church/

https://hitchin.nub.news/news/local-news/st-marys-church-to-host-major-jigsaw-festival-in-hitchin-to-raise-funds-for-renewal-project-276027

https://hitchin.nub.news/news/local-news/st-marys-church-shines-again-as-new-floodlighting-transforms-hitchins-night-time-skyline-278863?utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sendgrid.com

An Easter Message from Rev Chris Bunce

As we gather this Holy Week and Easter, we stand at the meeting point of deep sorrow and unshakeable hope. The story of Easter does not begin in joy, but in darkness—in betrayal, suffering, and the grief of Good Friday. It reminds us that God does not turn away from the pain of the world, but enters into it fully. And so, as we look upon our own world today, especially the ongoing war and conflict in the Middle East, we cannot pretend that all is well. We see lives lost, families torn apart, and communities living in fear. Our hearts ache, and rightly so.

Yet Easter speaks into this very reality. The resurrection of Jesus is not a denial of suffering, but a declaration that suffering does not have the final word. The stone is rolled away not only from the tomb, but from every place where despair seems immovable. In the risen Christ, we are given a hope that is not fragile or fleeting, but enduring and alive—a hope that insists that peace is still possible, that reconciliation is still worth striving for, and that love is stronger than death.

At the same time, we cannot miss the quiet, persistent signs of new life all around us. Spring has come again. The earth, which seemed barren and lifeless just weeks ago, is now bursting with colour and vitality. Blossoms open, birds sing, and longer days invite us to step outside and breathe deeply. Creation itself seems to echo the message of Easter: that life can emerge from what appears to be lifeless, that renewal is woven into the very fabric of God’s world.

This Easter, we are called to live as people of resurrection. That means holding sorrow and hope together—refusing to ignore the pain of the world, while also refusing to surrender to it. It means choosing kindness where there is division, seeking understanding where there is conflict, and offering compassion where there is hurt.

May the risen Christ meet you where you are today—in your joys and in your struggles—and may the promise of new life take root in your heart. For Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

The Rev’d Chris Bunce
Team Rector – Hitchin and St Paul’s Walden.
Rural Dean of Hitchin

A Million for St Mary’s

For full details please follow the link HERE https://www.stmaryshitchin.co.uk/a-million-for-st-marys-renewal/ and this is the special link to donate direct to the appeal HERE https://givealittle.co/c/6omADxD1YQCEVd6QobXnrm . We hope it will enable St Mary’s to provide a better service to the community who use the building for many and varied uses as well as its primary purpose of worship.

Latest News Stories

https://youtu.be/sUZznPbqp6A

Repair work to begin on Hitchin’s St Mary’s Church
https://www.thecomet.net/news/24867101.repair-work-begin-hitchins-st-marys-church/

Message from Rev Chris Bunce

https://givealittle.co/c/6omADxD1YQCEVd6QobXnrm

A Christmas Message from Rev’d Christopher Bunce

Come and celebrate Christmas 2025 with us at St Mary’s!

You can find our Christmas services here https://www.stmaryshitchin.co.uk/services/

At its heart, in the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas is a reminder of HOPE, JOY, and PEACE—qualities that are deeply needed in a world often marked by uncertainty, division, and struggle.

Hope is one of the most powerful themes of Christmas. During the darkest time of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, Christmas arrives with lights, warmth, and the promise that darkness does not last forever. For many, this symbolizes the belief that difficult circumstances can change and that new beginnings are always possible. Whether through faith, family, or personal reflection, Christmas encourages people to look forward with optimism and resilience.

Joy is another central value of Christmas. It is found in simple moments: sharing meals, exchanging gifts, reconnecting with loved ones, or helping those in need. This joy is not dependent on wealth or perfection, but on connection and generosity. Christmas reminds people that happiness often comes from giving rather than receiving, and from appreciating what truly matters.

Peace is perhaps the most profound message of Christmas. In a busy and often tense world, the season invites people to slow down, forgive, and seek understanding. Acts of kindness, charity, and reconciliation become more visible, showing that peace begins with individual choices. Even temporary moments of calm and goodwill can inspire lasting change.

The Christ-child reminds us that hope can overcome despair, joy can be found in togetherness, and peace is possible when we choose compassion.
We wish you a peaceful and happy Christmas!

Reverend Chris Bunce

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