Archbishop Linda Nicholls and National Bishop Susan Johnson share Easter Message

In a video found on the In Full Communion: Anglicans and Lutherans working together in Canada website, National Bishop Susan Johnson (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada) and Archbishop and Primate Linda Nicholls (Anglican Church of Canada) speak to a message of hope, life, and new beginnings that embody God’s love in our ministry.  [Note that the video may be best seen in full screen mode.]

Primate Linda Nicholls of the Anglican Church of Canada and National Bishop Susan Johnson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada share a joint Easter message for 2023 of hope, life, and new beginnings.

Transcript

[Archbishop Linda Nicholls] – There are times when the darkness around us closes in, when our fragile hope slips away, in the face of the brokenness, pain, and wounds and death that confront us. When human sins seem so strong, as another war breaks out, as more lives are lost to natural disaster or climate change. As need or greed lead people to treat others with disrespect and abuse, as we hurt one another intentionally or not, or as uncontrollable events shift everything we have depended on and bring pain and destruction.

[ELCIC National Bishop Susan Johnson] – Darkness descended on Good Friday as the life of Jesus ebbed away on the cross. All of the pain of injustice and human sin nailed there, powerless. For the next two days, the disciples lived in a liminal space between life and death, all their hope buried with Jesus’ body. We too know that liminal space of despair where the power of death has extinguished hope, evil has won, and we wait.

[Archbishop Linda] – Into that darkness of despair and grief, a light appears. We boldly declare it at Easter vigil when we enter the dark church holding the Paschal candle high and we sing

[Together] – ♪ The light of Christ ♪

[Bishop Susan] – Stepping into a darkened church. It is repeated.

[Together] – ♪ The light of Christ ♪

[Bishop Susan] – And the church is flooded with light as all who have gathered join in the refrain.

[Together] – ♪ Thanks be to God ♪

[Bishop Susan] – Lighting your tapers from the Paschal candle, hope is renewed in our hearts.

[Archbishop Linda] – In our broken world, darkness will continue to roll over and through our lives. Every year we gather and light the Paschal candle of hope born through the resurrection.

[Bishop Susan] – And every disciple who sings and shouts. [Together] – ♪ Thanks be to God ♪

[Archbishop Linda] – Goes back into the world to courageously live that hope.

[Bishop Susan] – May the joy of the resurrection light your hope this Easter

[Archbishop Linda] – Christ is risen. [Bishop Susan] – Christ is risen indeed. [Together] – Allelujah! Allelujah!