It is hard to believe that it is already April, the year seems to be flying by. But April is the month when the clocks have sprung forward, the time when we will celebrate Easter and all that means to us as we remember that first Easter and the resurrection. But, with the change to British Summer Time, it perhaps means a time when we can expect holidaymakers to be joining with us on Sunday’s, visiting our churches during the week. We need to be ready to welcome them and to offer a space where they might want to pause when they visit. I ask that this year we make that extra effort. In the Bible, we are taught to “Welcome the Stranger”, can you do this? Jesus reminds us in Matthew 10 whilst speaking with his disciples, his closest followers, that “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” Dare we take the risk of turning away Jesus, if he visits. Jill and I came to Niton and to the island as strangers to you all, but you have welcomed us and for me, it is a joy to be able to wander around places and to be recognized, even when I am dressed in “civvies”. As we seek to welcome the stranger, let us also remember that the stranger may be someone among us not always a visitor. I love this direction that I came across many years ago, and feel it is worth sharing and hopefully we can each put into action as we seek to become a stronger community for Christ. Always leave people better than you found them. Hug the hurt, Kiss the broken, Befriend the lost, Love the lonely. Let’s continue to grow together… Rob