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25/07/2008
New Secondary Schools Online Survey More...

18/07/2008
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18/07/2008
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18/07/2008
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17/07/2008
Departure Announcement - The Revd Stephen Taylor More...

14/07/2008
Prince Charles bestows agricultural fellowship on Bishop of Ely More...

03/07/2008
Consecration of Bishop of Huntingdon More...

01/07/2008
Northstowe New School Competitions More...

30/06/2008
Consecration of new Bishop of Huntingdon More...

30/06/2008
Diocesan Children's Work Adviser More...

29/06/2008
Petertide Ordination 2008 at Ely Cathedral More...

24/06/2008
Appointment Announcement - The Revd Jutta Brueck More...

24/06/2008
Appointment Announcement - The Revd Fiona Windsor More...

24/06/2008
Announcement - Rural Dean Fordham & Quy Deanery More...

06/06/2008
The Venerable John Sanderson Long More...

05/06/2008
Bishop’s Lent Appeal raises £17,000 More...

02/06/2008
New Bishop of Huntingdon appointed More...

02/06/2008
The Revd Canon George Christopher Stead More...

20/05/2008
The Revd Mark Mills-Powell More...

17/05/2008
Children's Holiday Clubs More...

28/04/2008
Licensing Details - The Revd Sheila Anthony More...

18/04/2008
Announcement of Rural Dean Appointment - The Revd Canon Wim Zwalf More...

18/04/2008
Announcement of Rural Dean Appointment - The Revd Canon Shamus Williams More...

18/04/2008
Announcement of Rural Dean Appointment - The Revd Canon Dr John Binns More...

14/04/2008
Announcement of Appointment - The Revd Sheila Anthony More...

11/04/2008
Retirement Announcement - The Revd Christopher Strong More...

11/04/2008
Parish of Trumpington More...

09/04/2008
The Parish of Trumpington More...

01/04/2008
Departure Announcement - The Revd Anna Hult More...

01/04/2008
Retirement Announcement - The Revd Geoff Turner More...

01/04/2008
Retirement Announcement - The Revd David Spencer More...

18/03/2008
Appointment Announcement - The Revds Alan & Jane Hulme More...

11/03/2008
St Catharine’s College Girls’ Choir More...

01/03/2008
The Launch Of 'Breathe' More...

20/02/2008
Retirement Announcement - The Revd Richard Bunyan More...

15/02/2008
Licensing Details - The Revd Kylie Hodgins More...

04/02/2008
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04/02/2008
The Revd Stanley Brown More...

25/01/2008
Institution Details - The Revd Matthew Bradbury More...

24/01/2008
Licensing Details - The Revd Dr Paul Andrews More...

23/01/2008
DIOCESE OF ELY PRESS RELEASE - Trumpington Tribunal More...

18/01/2008
Bishop’s Lent Appeal to support people affected by leprosy More...

16/01/2008
Diocesan Children's Work Adviser More...

11/01/2008
Appointment Announcement - Chair of the Diocesan Youth Council More...

10/01/2008
Bishop Anthony backs sustainable initiatives for local democracy More...

05/01/2008
New Year's Honours Awards More...

04/01/2008
Appointment Announcement - The Revd Matthew Bradbury More...

03/01/2008
Appointment Announcement - The Revd Kylie Hodgins More...

03/01/2008
Appointment of New Honorary Canons More...

13/12/2007
Four new Honorary Canons to be installed early next year More...

11/12/2007
Departure Announcement - The Revd Dr Giles Kendall More...

10/12/2007
Bishop takes seat in House of Lords More...

03/12/2007
Appointment Announcement - The Reverend Dr Paul Andrews More...

02/12/2007
Hundreds say fond farewell to Bishop John More...

25/11/2007
Hundreds of local parishioners expected at Bishop's farewell More...

24/11/2007
FAREWELL TO BISHOP JOHN More...

19/11/2007
The Reverend Nigel Cooper More...

16/11/2007
The Reverend Professor Dan Hardy More...

13/11/2007
Appointment Announcement - The Revd Annabel Shilson-Thomas More...

05/11/2007
Departure Announcement - The Revd Dale Gingrich More...

01/11/2007
Appointment and Licensing Details - The Revd Rachel Nicholls More...

29/10/2007
Bishop’s Adviser for Music appointed More...

29/10/2007
A day of prayer for the Armed Forces More...

25/10/2007
Lent Appeal More...

22/10/2007
Presentation Gift for Bishop John More...

22/10/2007
Departure Announcement - The Revd Dr Diana Sanders More...

22/10/2007
Appointment Announcement - The Revd Val Fernandez More...

20/10/2007
Provincial Tribunal - Trumpington More...

17/09/2007
Bishop John's Farewell Service More...

17/09/2007
Departure Announcement - The Reverend David Deboys More...

16/09/2007
55 Lay Ministers commissioned More...

12/09/2007
The hidden world of labour slavery in Britain More...

03/09/2007
Retirement Announcement - The Revd Canon Fred Kilner More...

17/08/2007
Church thefts More...

17/08/2007
Flood appeal More...

10/08/2007
Retirement Announcement - The Revd Colin Backhouse More...

09/08/2007
Announcement of New Rural Dean Appointment : Keith Johnson More...

09/08/2007
Announcement of New Rural Dean Appointment : James Blandford-Baker More...

09/08/2007
Announcement of New Rural Dean Appointment Annette Reed More...

03/08/2007
Retirement Announcement - The Revd Canon Jeremy Pemberton More...

30/07/2007
Flood Appeal - closing date & gift aid More...

25/07/2007
From Bishop Anthony: the recent flood disaster More...

12/07/2007
Lent Appeal raises over £10,560 to challenge poverty More...

10/07/2007
Bishop John Inge to become Bishop of Worcester More...

06/07/2007
Licensing Details - The Revd Stuart Mews More...

05/07/2007
Licensing Details - The Revd Nick Devenish More...

04/07/2007
Attempted car bombings More...

01/07/2007
Bishops ordain record number of clergy this year More...

11/06/2007
ELY DIOCESAN SYNOD 9.6.2007 - A STATEMENT BY THE BISHOP OF ELY More...

08/06/2007
Licensing Details - The Revd Keith Jeffries More...

22/05/2007
Appointment Announcement - Honorary Rural Officer More...

16/05/2007
Appointment Announcement - The Revd Nick Devenish More...

13/05/2007
Christian Aid Week More...

08/05/2007
Retirement Announcement - The Revd Canon Roger Arguile More...

08/05/2007
Licensing Details - The Revds Michael Banyard & Kate Peacock More...

08/05/2007
Licensing Details - The Revd Dr Robin McKenzie More...

30/04/2007
Retirement Announcement - The Revd Canon Christine Sindall More...

19/04/2007
New Schools' Bulletin launched More...

18/04/2007
Appointment Announcement - The Reverend Dr Robin McKenzie More...

09/04/2007
Diocesan Children's Work Adviser More...

03/04/2007
The Reverend Richard Kenneth David Watkins-Wright More...

03/04/2007
Appointment Announcement - Honorary Assistant Directors of Ordinands More...

30/03/2007
Appointment Announcement - The Revd Michael Hore More...

29/03/2007
Institution details - The Revd Nick Moir More...

27/03/2007
Mission Shaped School Study Day 20th April More...

20/03/2007
Living with climate change in the Fens More...

19/03/2007
Appointment Announcement - The Reverend Kate Peacock More...

16/03/2007
Licensing Details - The Revd Gareth Rowlands More...

15/03/2007
Licensing Details - The Reverend Jim Mynors More...

28/02/2007
Licensing Details - The Reverend Michael Matthews More...

27/02/2007
Appointment Announcement More...

21/02/2007
Challenging Poverty More...

21/02/2007
Appointment Announcement More...

09/02/2007
For England and Saint George More...

08/02/2007
Rave in the Nave 2007 More...

29/01/2007
Chaplaincy to People at Work More...

27/01/2007
Four new Honorary Canons installed More...

22/01/2007
Schools Service Level Agreement More...

12/01/2007
Schools Admissions Guidance Issued More...

11/01/2007
The Young Ones More...

09/01/2007
Website More...

23/12/2006
Former Archdeacon of Ely celebrates 70 years in the ministry More...

18/12/2006
Diocesan Children’s Adviser More...

12/12/2006
Good News for Church Schools in League Tables More...

12/12/2006
Education Sunday materials online More...

07/12/2006
Church of England New Chief Education Officer appointed More...

06/12/2006
December Thoughts by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Willams More...

23/10/2006
Making your voice heard More...

21/10/2006
Diocesan Fresh Expressions Advisor licensed More...

15/10/2006
81 Lay Ministers commissioned More...

09/10/2006
Appointment of four new Honorary Canons More...

30/09/2006
New lay minsters licensed More...

27/09/2006
High Sheriff’s Justice Service More...

02/09/2006
Downham Market High School More...

29/08/2006
Bishop supports CEN Hospice at Home campaign More...

18/08/2006
England’s first vicar sub-postmaster? More...

03/08/2006
John Eddy More...

13/07/2006
Archdeaconry of Cambridge More...

01/07/2006
Clergy numbers in Ely Diocese boosted More...

24/06/2006
Diocesan Schools Team posts More...

23/06/2006
Resignation of the Revd John Coombs More...

16/06/2006
Diocesan website wins national award More...

14/06/2006
Recent appointments and departures More...

12/06/2006
new Priest-in-Charge for Stanground More...

05/06/2006
Departure of the Reverend Anne Haselhurst More...

20/04/2006
New Chaplain among Deaf People More...

20/04/2006
Networking among Faith Groups More...

19/04/2006
Low flying Screaming Swift Survey More...

16/04/2006
The Bishop of Ely's Easter sermon More...

07/04/2006
Retirement of the Revd Frank Fisher More...

03/04/2006
Imagine! -- an outdoor children's party at Anglesey Abbey More...

02/04/2006
Appointment of Diocesan Fresh Expressions Advisor More...

31/03/2006
Ground-breaking appointment for fresh approaches to Christian mission and ministry More...

30/03/2006
Licensing of new Curate for East Leightonstone Group More...

30/03/2006
Licensing of new Assistant Priest for Haddenham and Wilburton More...

20/03/2006
Licensing of new Area Dean of Cambridge Deanery South More...

14/03/2006
New Secondary School for Downham Market More...

01/03/2006
Church schools affirm broadening RE teaching More...

01/03/2006
new Area Dean of Cambridge Deanery South More...

01/03/2006
2005 Annual Report on the diocesan schools' work More...

01/03/2006
'See It Like It Is' photo exhibition More...

10/02/2006
Institution of new Vicar of the East Marshland Benefice More...

06/02/2006
St Mary's, Godmanchester More...

06/02/2006
new Priest-in-Charge of St Mark's, Newnham More...

02/02/2006
Oarsmen celebrate historic link with Church More...

30/01/2006
Diocese launches Lent Appeal 2006 to support AIDS victims in Vellore More...

23/01/2006
Licensing of new Priest-in-Charge of Great Gransden with Abbotsley & Little Gransden and Waresley More...

05/01/2006
new Chair of the Diocesan Children's Council More...

04/01/2006
Church thefts More...

17/11/2005
Churches embrace new hi-tech opportunities with their latest website More...

27/10/2005
Local Ecumenical Partnership with North Elbe parish More...

 
 
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Bishop's Easter Sunday Sermon 2006

Preached in Ely Cathedral by the Bishop of Ely, Dr Anthony Russell, on 16th April 2006:

The Bishop of Ely, Dr Anthony Russell
The Bishop of Ely
Dr Anthony Russell

It is good to welcome so many people here on this Easter morning, as we celebrate together the glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the pivotal event in the world’s history. This is the vindication of all that Jesus had said about himself during his short ministry. This is the day on which we proclaim that Christ is risen, and it is that single fact that has given hope which has sustained his followers, in good times and in bad, over two millennia.

In the Gospel account we have just heard read, it is Mary Magdalene who first came to the tomb and found it empty. She summons Peter and John and the other disciples, who run to the tomb. It is John who first acknowledges the truth that Jesus is risen from the dead, and, as it says in verse 8, ‘he saw and believed’.

Later that day, Peter had the same experience, as did the disciples gathered in the Upper Room, as they rejoiced in the sudden presence of Jesus with them.

Jesus rose to new life, and calls his people – he calls you and me – to follow him into his Resurrection life. This is the centre of the Gospel – this is what we celebrate today – a day of few words, not because there is little to say, but because words will not carry the depth of meaning and significance that lies in this event.

The great symbol of Easter is light, and earlier today at 5.15, we gathered in the darkness, as the new fire was lit – as the Paschal candle was prepared, and then processed into the dark Cathedral. There are few more powerful symbols of the presence, the power and the love of God in the world.

In the next few days and weeks, in the readings, we shall hear the accounts of Jesus as he appeared to his followers, and as they became not just followers but believers – the first people to tell the story and to preach the Gospel.

Today’s reading describes two very different responses to these events. The disciples, summoned by Mary Magdalene, appear to rush everywhere. They rush to the tomb; John leads the way in. Once the reality of the risen Christ has dawned upon them, they rush back to Jerusalem.

By contrast, Mary Magdalene’s approach is very different. She goes to the tomb very early, whilst it is still dark, and she sees the stone has been moved and summons the disciples. When they go back, she remains, and there follows the extraordinary sequence of events. She questions the angels, and then encounters the risen Christ, whom she mistakes for a gardener. As she attempts to touch him, Jesus says, ‘Do not hold me.’

Jesus addresses Mary with words which have been traditionally translated as either ‘Do not touch me,’ or ‘Do not hold me’. However, for many years, some have believed that in all likelihood this is a mistranslation, and that what Jesus said was ‘Do not be afraid.’ The expressions are close enough in the Greek for a mistake over the centuries to be quite possible. Furthermore, there are four other recorded occasions in the Gospels when Jesus uses this expression, ‘Do not be afraid’, which heightens the probability that this is what he actually said to Mary Magdalene in the garden.

Christians believe that the death of Jesus is the means of their salvation, that Jesus died to restore the relationship between mankind and God, that this was God’s purpose in the birth of Jesus, and it is in the Cross, and supremely in the Resurrection that we see that purpose accomplished.

This leaves two questions that call for an answer: ‘What are we saved from?’ and ‘What are we saved for?’

We are saved from all those things that separate us from God, and alienate us from his love. In large measure, this means we are saved from ourselves. We live in a world where many people live with a sense of guilt for the things they have done, and for the things they have failed to do. Their lives are overshadowed by meaningless, futility, and self-loathing, and above all, by an all-pervasive sense of fear.

It is often held that the opposite of faith is unbelief. However, in reality, the opposite of faith is fear. The salvation that was won for us by Jesus as he was raised to new life was the triumph over the powers of darkness and sin, the banishing of fear, and the gift of the joy and hope of the new Resurrection life.

So what are we saved for? Jesus calls us to follow him into his Kingdom, to be partakers of his Resurrection, and to live our lives in the radiancy and joy of his new life. We are called to follow him and share in his Resurrection life, and know in faith the truth of all that he came to teach us.

By his presence with them, Jesus strengthened and sustained his disciples, and transformed them from the frightened witnesses of his death to the heroic preachers of the Gospel. He calls us to live his new life, and rejoice in the glory of his Resurrection, this day and always.

 

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