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I suppose the freak weather of hail and snow on Good Friday 1998 should have warned us of the storms to come. This time around, as the ancient Romans would have said, all the portents are good. Good weather, good football results, even good cricket results for Ireland. The climate and cultural backdrop to the unfolding process of putting together a new administration could not be better.

With a skill previously unseen but not surprising given the amalgamated talents of DUP, Sinn Fein and the Downing Street publicity machines, each day brings fresh announcements, statements and another step on the now inevitable path towards 8 May. Seats in the 150 capacity public gallery at Stormont are at a premium with former Presidents, Peace Envoys and sitting Prime Ministers guaranteed their place for the formal end of the peace process.

It is then over to our joint leaders, Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness, as the political process finally bears fruit and local administration, hopefully stable, begins to exercise power. There are those who think that a system designed for so-called moderates cannot be operated by such ideological parties. But that is to underestimate the true reflection of the communities that both the DUP and Sinn Fein really are and the massive shift that both have undertaken to get to this point. They have a deeply vested interest in making this work.

A clear sign of this intent is the robust way that some of the remaining contentious and potentially destabilising issues are being approached. Is there anything which can't be fixed?

Next week is the annual Community Relations week, marked by a showcasing of activity throughout Northern Ireland by organisations and local communities. All have one thing in common, the need to creatively engage with the ongoing question of how we sustain healthy relationships in the midst of difference and division.

Good relations and equality along with human rights provide the policy framework for building trust in a community where this precious commodity has been eroded through our mutual hate and suspicion. If we cannot yet trust one another to treat each other right, then legislation and policy will ensure fairness and rights are upheld.

Good relations begin in the hearts and minds of people, who may be in compliance with the law but not living fully in accordance with its values. The Christian good news is about transformation not by obedience to the law but by the reality of God's love and grace in our relationships with God and with others.

As Ian and Martin jointly take office, they not only guide the political process but have a responsibility to shape and empower the longer term transformation of how we live with our differences. And for that to happen, as hard as it may seem, they need to not just make it work but be seen to be truly working together. The peace process may now be over but it is the nurturing of the reconciliation process that will truly determine our shared future.

David Porter