Easter 2026

Join in with all things Easter, as we reflect on the cross and celebrate in the hope of the resurrection.

Join in with all things Easter, as we reflect on the cross and celebrate in the hope of the resurrection.

---

---

---

---

---

---

Back in the time of Jesus, there was a little phrase that people used. Whenever a rabbi was attracting followers, they would say to potential followers, “are you willing to walk in my dust?” For us, it seems like a strange invitation! However, in Jesus‘s day, it reflected the dusty path that they walked on and the invitation to stay close to a potential teacher and instructor. 

To walk in the dust of a rabbi meant that you were close enough to hear them, close enough to follow them, and close enough to follow their example. The process of following in such a way, also reminded the follower that the journey was more often than not dusty.

As we approach this Easter season, our theme at St Michael’s is Dust and Glory. In following the rabbi, Jesus, we experience a dusty journey. We are often aware of our own shortcomings and the fragility of life. Discipleship is a dusty business. But the journey does lead somewhere. The dusty journey of Jesus‘s ministry led to the cross, where he carried all the wrongdoings of the world on his shoulders.

The dusty and rough cross was, three days later, replaced by the glory of His resurrection.

Jesus is still the rabbi to follow. But he is the friend who experienced the dust of life for himself, and replaced it with the hope of glory. Where life might feel dusty for us at the moment, know that Jesus can lead us through the dust to a place of glory. 

Dust and glory are often close together, one follows the other and can be as little as three days apart.

May you walk in the dust of Jesus and know him leading you to glory.

Lent Reading and Reflections

This Lent we are all invited to explore how we can live well with the mess of everyday life.

Dust and Glory encourages us to take a fresh look at the frustrations and failings that every day brings and, rather than pretending we can always avoid them, seek to learn from them and grow closer to God through them.

The Archbishops’ Lent Book and Course

Dust and Glory: A Lent journey of faith, failure and forgiveness is the Church of England’s Lent theme for 2023. This year’s resources are informed and inspired by the Archbishop of Canterbury’s 2023 Lent Book, Failure: What Jesus said about sin, mistakes and messing stuff up by Bishop Emma Ineson, who has also co-written the daily reflections booklet for adults

At St Michael’s we are recommending this book for Lent which is available from all good booksellers.

Daily reflections – booklets, app, audio

The weekly themes of the Archbishop’s Lent Book are also explored in daily reflections from the Church of England.

Dust and Glory: A Lent Journey of faith, failure and forgiveness offers a daily Bible reading, a short reflection and a practical challenge, as well as a prayer linked to the week’s theme. Co-written by Bishop Emma Ineson and Abbie Martin, the booklet is designed to be used either in parallel with the Lent Book or independently. The booklet is available to order now from Church House Publishing 

An update to the Church of England app for iOS and Android – including daily audio – will be available in mid-February. Anyone who has the Church of England’s #FollowTheStar app installed will automatically get the Lent update. The reflections will also be available via email and also via the Church of England’s smart speaker apps – as well as on the free Daily Hope phone line (0800 804 8044).