‘God is made present and new’: An Easter message from the General Minister and President

The Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, General Minister and President/CEO of the United Church of Christ, offers an Easter message on the movement from the darkness of early Easter morning into the light as the sun rises.

Based on John 20:1-18, which begins with Mary Magdalene coming to the tomb while it was still dark, Thompson reflects on how “the darkness is important.”

“This was not a festive moment – not as the day began, not at that time when the unknown was creating fear and doubt,” she says.

Yet Mary moved with bravery through this darkness and in defiance of empire, Thompson says, while Jesus’ life and message offered real threat to the empire of the time.  

“Jesus’s subversive message of love and forgiveness placed the power of God in the hands and the hearts of the people. He knew what was coming for him, yet he did not shrink from the path that was set before him. There was power in the simplicity of his message: Repent. Believe. Seek forgiveness. Forgive others. Love God. Love neighbor. Love self,” she says.

This message “continues to threaten power and empire today,” she adds.

“With the risen Christ, there is power over death and empire. Love triumphs over death and hate,” Thompson says. “God is made present and new. Hallelujah!”

Find the video message here.

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