Easter 2014: Church Twitter campaign asks what #EasterMeans, 'You can't keep a good God down'

The Church of England's Twitter campaign kicks off today, Maundy Thursday, inviting people to share their thoughts on what Easter means to them.

Between now and Easter Day, the Church is asking people to finish the sentence #EasterMeans... with pictures, stories and messages.

Among those joining in is theologian Vicky Beeching (@vickybeeching): "I'm excited about the #EasterMeans campaign - it encourages Christians to give the world a window into their personal faith; why Easter matters to them and how the events of Jesus' death and resurrection have impacted their life."

#EasterMeans is a follow-on from the #Christmasmeans Twitter campaign, which reached more than four million people between Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.

Bishops have been chipping in about what Easter means to them in a series of podcasts. The Bishop of Ramsbury, Edward Condry, who gave up his car for Lent, estimates he has saved 2,000 car miles over the last six weeks just by cycling, walking and using public transport.

He has found his Lent challenge to be a conversation opener.

"I really have enjoyed it. When I turn up for a service on Sunday I've had lots of good conversations and people want to go deeper and find out what motivated me," he said.

The Bishop of Oxford, the Right Reverend John Pritchard Easter Means "nothing is impossible". 

"You can't keep a good God down," he shared. 

The Bishop of Birmingham, the Right Reverend David Urquhart said Holy Saturday was his favourite day of Holy Week as it offered time "to reflect on the dilemma human beings have in facing unanswered questions".

The Dean of Birmingham, Catherine Ogle (@catherineogle), who is sharing the meaning of Easter through a Passion play in a pub during Holy Week, said: "I'm very positive about the #EasterMeans campaign because Twitter is all about relationships and interaction, it invites response and enables Christians to talk in public and one to one about what really matters to them."

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu (@johnsentamu) will once again be conducting open-air baptisms outside York Minster on Saturday.

The occasion will be accompanied by music and worship, and large crowds are expected.

The Archbishop said: "#EasterMeans new life, joy and hope. Let's place our trust in the God and Father of Jesus Christ and let the Holy Spirit change us from glory to glory."

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