OUR community is hurting. The traditional certainties that drove us but 30 years ago are destroyed or under threat, so the old ideas of a job for life, a long successful marriage and respecting the law are now in retreat everywhere.

They are being replaced in many people's lives by bouts of unemployment, divorce and crime.

Social breakdown is an ever nearer reality, as evils such as drug dependence, domestic violence and abortion become the norm.

At Easter, is it not reasonable to ask if there are any solutions to these problems? Joining the Euro may provide some degree of economic stimulus. While that would be welcome if, in the long run, it created more jobs, it cannot deal with the loneliness, dislocation and overwhelming sense of loss of purpose that so many people feel today.

Luis Palou, the world renowned Christian communicator who said the prayers at Bill Clinton's inauguration ceremony, is coming to East Lancashire in May to tell people what he believes is the solution.

He will say that it is not to be found in new-fangled economic or political theories. It is found, instead, in the life and death of the man whose 2000th anniversary we will celebrate next year, and whose supreme sacrifice on our behalf we commemorate over Easter.

Jesus Christ said that he came to give life -abundant life - to those prepared to believe and trust in Him. Only through Him can we enjoy life as it should be lived. I do hope that you take this opportunity to hear what Jesus has to say to you in May.

REV RICHARD PRIESTLEY (Luis Palau Mission committee NE Lancs), Union Road, Oswaldtwistle.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.