Latest News from the Rector
Dear Church Family (updated 3.7.20)
Last Monday, my Google calendar reminded me that it was 24 years since I was ordained. Tuesday marked 12 years since I was installed as Rector of All Saints and St Andrew’s. It surprised me to realise that I have spent half my years as an ordained minister in our parish. If I’d stopped then to think about what might be happening twelve years later, I wouldn’t have guessed correctly.
Also this week, I heard news from the Isle of Man where the churches have reopened. The Lord is at work! Apparently there has been a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, including healings. There have also been new faces in the congregations. Some people who connected with online services during the lockdown have come to see what Jesus is all about.
Holy Communion
Our own careful steps towards reopening have begun. The first funeral service at All Saints is planned for Tuesday 7 July. Meanwhile, PCC members have been invited to an experimental Communion service. The idea is to see whether it might be possible to introduce a regular Sunday afternoon Communion service with a ‘booking’ system for small groups of people. If the trial goes well and we are confident that we can do so safely, we plan to introduce a regular Sunday afternoon Communion service from Sunday 12 July. This will be in addition to our online events. It will take place at St Andrew’s with the chairs spaced 2 metres apart. That means there is room for just 20 people each time, hence the booking arrangement. The service will be short, lasting between 20-30 minutes. There will be music but we are not allowed to sing. The congregation will receive ‘Communion in one kind’ (bread only) and we’ll use wafers to minimise handling. Sadly, we aren’t allowed to stay behind to chat. If you would like to join in the Communion service on Sunday 12 July at 4.00 pm, please email Alison or phone the office number (07928 825869) to book a provisional place.
Sunday Worship and Daily Prayer
Livestreamed Daily Prayer on our Facebook page, Monday - Saturday at 12.00 noon as usual, with Sunday Worship on 5 July at 10.30 am once again from pretend Patmos. This week we are looking at the letter to the church in Pergamum. The Daily Prayer sheet is here and Sunday Supplement is here. There is a Revelation-themed puzzle on the Sunday Supplement with a prize for the first correct answer.
After-Church Coffee and Chat - Sunday 5 July
Dot Bevington will host Coffee and Chat at 11.30 am on Sunday. Here’s the link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86107373243?pwd=TkFDeVFHZ0RRMlJLTFJ1VitjM013Zz09
Meeting ID: 861 0737 3243 Password: Coffee
Parish Prayer - Sunday 5 July
James Simister will be leading Parish Prayer at 6.30 pm. James is now furloughed part-time. It’s great to have him back! We aim to pray for about 40 minutes. Here’s the link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81879375546?pwd=bnZlN1M1ZHdJS1ZPQk9PeXNrcGVBQT09
Meeting ID: 818 7937 5546 Password: Pray
Sunday Night Live - Sunday 5 July
Contemporary worship with Hannah Kirk and James Simister at 8.30 pm. Live on the church Facebook page.
Children, Young People and Families
Sarah’s Children's Sunday Talks continue on the church YouTube channel, along with the Kidz Klub - Heavyweight Heroics videos. There will be a livestreamed Kidz Klub video on the Facebook page on Tuesday at 6.00 pm followed by a 20 minute games session on Zoom. Sarah and Rory’s Daily Reflections (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) are also on the Facebook page. Thurzday Klub and Thursday Group meet via Zoom.
Word for Today
Please will you let Janet know if you want the August - October edition of Word for Today ordering for you. If you received a copy for this quarter with your bulletin and you want it next time as well please phone Janet on 760159, or the church office on 07928 825869 BEFORE Saturday 11th July.
Thank you.
Caring for Life
There is a video update on the work of Caring for Life which you can find at https://www.caringforlife.co.uk/churchupdate and points for prayer at
https://mcusercontent.com/3c552591ff3d6bd434cf591cc/files/052b2ede-c844-4849-a695-9a10ed31a39b/church_pr_pts_July_2020.pdf On Saturday 11 July at 11.00 am there will be a livestreamed Thanksgiving Service. Joining instructions are on the CFL website.
Riding Lights Summer Theatre School
Riding Lights Theatre Company are moving their annual Summer Theatre School online 31 July - 5 August. There are details and a video at https://ridinglights.org/summer-theatre-school-2020/
about courses for young people (14+) and adults. There are a number of free places available for first-time participants who are not in education or employment.
Finally
Please remember to pray for Stephen Cottrell who will become our new Archbishop of York next Thursday. The service, which includes music from the Minster Choir, contributions by young people and Stephen’s first address as Archbishop, will be available to watch on the Church of England website at 11.00 am on Thursday 9 July. www.churchofengland.org/aby98
God bless.
Ian
FAITH LINK
Copies of the recent Faith Link magazines can be found here:
