Early spring in our part of the world is a wonderful time. There are signs of new life everywhere, with their promise of colorful growth and abundance.

And it’s also tournament time when teams — primarily basketball, hockey and wrestling — culminate winter efforts by many youth and adults, and the top performers come together to decide which are the best.

As a pastor, the writer rejoiced with the congregation over large turnouts on special days, such as Christmas and Easter, in the church year.

However, on the Sunday afterward there was a letdown because of smaller attendance, and it affected everyone, especially those in places of leadership.

Holy Week begins in a few days, and Easter will be on Sunday, March 23, which is an early date. You may be asking, “How early and late can Easter fall?” and “How is the date set?”

The answers: “As early as March 22nd and as late as April 25th; and “By an ancient formula, which is not uniform in the Christian church.”