Dear Talmadge Hill Family,

As we sit in the quiet of this Good Friday, the shadows of the cross and the silence of the tomb are with us. We are in that "Holy Saturday" space—the world holding its breath. But even in the silence, the story isn't over. We are preparing for the "defiant conjunction" that changes everything.

This Sunday, I invite you to join us for our Easter service at 10:00 AM, where I will preach "The Defiant ‘But’," grounded in Matthew 28:1-10. In Matthew’s account, the Roman guards—the image empire—became "like dead men," while the women were met with a life-changing word: “But”. Easter is an invitation to practice resurrection by looking at structures that declare themselves permanent and saying: “Not the final word.”

One practical way we "practice resurrection" right now is by participating in the Holy Cow! Congregational Assessment Tool (CAT). By completing this, you are helping lay the ground for Talmadge Hill’s future. It is a defiant act of hope and a vital investment in what is breaking through. If you haven't done so, please take 30 minutes (Access the Holy Cow CAT here) before the Friday, April 17 deadline. Detailed instructions follow below.

I look forward to being with you this Sunday as we run from the tomb with "fear and great joy." Following our celebration, I will be away for two weeks visiting my family in South Africa, returning April 22nd. During my absence, please contact JP for general assistance or Cheryl for pastoral care.

Mooi loop,

Dries