IS IT spring or still winter? Whatever the weather may be doing, one thing is certain - this coming Sunday is Easter Day.

The old gives way to the new. Love is proved to be stronger than death.

At the heart of the Christian cry "Christ is risen" lies the possibility of a renewed relationship with God, which alone can bring healing and hope to our troubled and divided world.

Life is not to be bounded by the power-broking of the narrow political concerns of the world, nor by the need to possess, nor by addiction, but we are set free to be "the children of God".

As a mother clasps her crying child close to her heart, so God reaches down to us to draw us closer to his heart of love.

A very happy Easter to you all. May God bless you and keep you and fill you with joy and peace.

-The Right Reverend Trevor Willmott,
Bishop of Basingstoke.

AT EASTER, Christian people celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus.

In the run up to Easter, we mark the period of Lent by fasting and prayer.

Easter is an ideal opportunity for everyone to think about prayer. Some people have never prayed in their lives and others have got out of the habit of praying.

This Easter I invite everyone to have a go at prayer. Join with us as we rejoice in the risen Christ.

Everyone has something in their life which needs prayer.

In addition to your own intentions, I ask you to pray for the release of the sailors and marines being held in Iran and also to pray for the people of Zimbabwe.

The bishops of Zimbabwe have called for April 14 to be a day of prayer and fasting for their country - please support them in prayer.

Whether you are Christian or not, whether you pray regularly or not, join us in prayer this Easter.

-The Right Reverend Crispian Hollis,
Bishop of Portsmouth.