Hello everyone –
I do hope this latest update finds you and those you love well.
As we approach what would normally be our Sunday services, all clergy have been sent a letter by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York explaining some of their thinking as to why our churches remain closed, and why even Fr Colin cannot go into church to pray for us. Let me share some of the relevant part of their letter :
“The Church of England is called to model the very best practice. We must lead by example. Staying at home and demonstrating solidarity with the rest of the country at this testing time, is, we believe, the right way of helping and ministering to our nation. Therefore, for a season, the centre for the liturgical life of the church must be the home, not the church building……
Not being able to use our church buildings is, of course, a huge loss to us all. We are aware that for many clergy it is hard not to be able to pray and worship in their church building; and for many lay people, not even being able to see worship going on in their church building is difficult. Worship from home shows that we are alongside those who are having to self-isolate and those who are forgoing so many other things in their lives that they used to rely on. It also shows that we are facing up to the same restrictions as them and doing all that we can to take a lead in encouraging people to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives. Moreover, to pray from and in the home may help us to show that the church is, as we all know, us, the people of God, not our buildings.”
We are doing our very best to provide as much resource as we can. That includes all the links which are appearing on our website (see especially the social media page on the right hand side of the website).
And so, absent our usual Sunday worship services, here is a steer to some of the things going on tomorrow that you might like to join.
8AM - +Christopher is streaming a service direct from Bishopsgate – you will find the service on our website or the DIOCESAN WEBSITE
8.10AM - BBC Radio 4 – Sunday Worship from Wesley’s Chapel, London
9AM - Morning Eucharist with the Dean of Portsmouth cathedral – this will be put on our website in the social media stream
10.15AM - BBC1 Passion Sunday Worship - from Bangor Cathedral
1.15PM - BBC1 Songs of Praise – Aled Jones joins the Archbishop of York designate, Stephen Cottrell, for Christian hope and reflection as well as the usual selection of hymns for you to sing along to.
5.30PM - Evening Prayer – streamed by a member of the Cathedral staff – again, will be linked to our website.
Our prayers of intercession for this week will also be posted on our website later today. (See the ‘at home’ resource page).
And finally, I enclose our reading sheet for tomorrow along with Fr Colin’s homily for this week. (See the ‘at home’ resource page)
If anyone needs any help whatsoever, please get in touch by replying to this email or contacting Anne Morgan or Lesley Handy.
God bless,
Chris
23rd March 2020
Pastoral Support
Dear All –
Our fab pastoral team have worked hard to identify those people they think may be feeling lonely or isolated during this difficult time, and they are talking to them frequently.
If you think we have missed anybody, or you are feeling lonely or in need of some help yourself, would you kindly contact Anne Morgan or Lesley Handy on either of the following email addresses –
a.morgan@stgeorges.church
l.handy@stgeorges.church
If you are not on email, please call me, Chris Gadd, on 07943 633734.
God bless,
Chris
23rd March 2020
Churchwarden’s Message
Dear All –
I write further to my last email, and following the Prime Minister’s announcement tonight.
For those that did not see it, the country is effectively in lockdown for the next 3 weeks. Nobody is allowed to leave their home except to buy essential food (or collect medicines). I will be asking our pastoral team to ensure contact over the next 24 hours with all those that we have identified as potentially vulnerable, and to continue to do so.
The practical effect of the Prime Minister’s announcement, of course, is that the church is now closed and locked shut for at least this next 3 week period. There will be no services of any kind nor even the opportunity to come to church to sit and pray. This is, to our knowledge, the first time this has ever happened and I know all this is hard to bear. I have, therefore, asked Fr Colin to address you directly.
Fr Colin writes : “This is truly an unprecedented situation, but these are indeed unprecedented times. The church will need to remain closed for the time being, but please continue to pray at home for the church and for the world and for all people in need at this time. Please also remember in your prayers those who work in the emergency services and continue in their duties in spite of personal risk to themselves. As a church, we will continue to care for those in our community who are vulnerable and our pastoral team will keep in contact with those who might be on their own and might need our support. Look after yourselves, reflect on how you might help each other and pray for a swift resolution to the current crisis. Please be assured of my continued prayers for you all. I look forward to a time when we can meet together, worship together, and celebrate together. With love and prayers, Fr Colin.”
Please keep an eye on our website and our Facebook page for continuing news, prayer and liturgical resources. There are also many prayer resources on the Church of England and the Diocese websites.
And, very importantly, whether you are on our vulnerable list or not, if you are in need, whatever it may be, please do not hesitate to contact me by email or by calling 07943 633734.
Take care of yourselves and those you love, and God bless,
Chris
