I don’t know about you, but I find myself deeply moved by the message that even in the darkest of times and circumstances, hope is never extinguished. That new life can spring forth from places once thought lifeless. That fresh beginnings are possible, even after seasons of hardship.
Easter, for Christians, marks the resurrection of Jesus; a moment in history that transformed despair into hope, sorrow into joy, and death into life. Whether you hold the Christian faith or simply resonate with the imagery of transformation and renewal, Easter speaks to something universal: that light follows darkness, and there is always potential for change, growth, and healing.
Here at The Parish Trust, we’ve seen that truth lived out in so many ways. And nowhere is that more tangible right now than in The Bryn Hall.
Once a neglected and forgotten space, The Bryn Hall is now undergoing an incredible transformation. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters and the tireless work of our team, it is slowly being brought back to life not just as a building, but as the Trethomas Life Centre – a central space for youth, children, and families, but by extension, the whole community. Where there was once decline, there is now vision. Where there was emptiness, there is now purpose.
This physical renewal is a reflection of our wider mission: to bring life in all its fullness to everyone we encounter, regardless of background, belief, or circumstance. We are not a church, but we are a Christian-founded charity, and it’s our faith-inspired values of love, dignity, justice, and hope, that compel us to serve our community which is something we’ve been doing since the COVID Pandemic back in 2020. The resurrection of Jesus says that each of us is valued so much by God, that he comes to free us from the chains of all that hinders us and stops us from living life to its full potential, and even death itself.
Easter reminds us that the work of restoration is precious. That bringing hope to a weary world is always worth doing. And that even small acts of kindness can breathe new life into someone’s story.
May I offer my thanks on behalf of The Parish Trust to every volunteer, every donor, every partner, and every person who walks alongside us. You are part of this story of transformation. Your support helps us write a narrative that says, “things can change”; not just in buildings like The Bryn Hall, but in lives and communities across our region.
This Easter, my prayer, in whatever way is meaningful for you, is that you’ll feel the stirrings of new life in your own heart and home. That you’ll know you are not alone. And that The Parish Trust will keep building a future rooted in hope as we look to the one who can make all things new, and even raise the dead.
Happy Easter, and may God bless you abundantly.
Rev. Dean Aaron Roberts
Chief Executive Officer, The Parish Trust
