Latest News from the Rector
30.7.21
Dear Church Family,
There was an excellent moment in outdoor service at All Saints last week. During the Eucharistic prayer, just as I was about to pray, “Send your Holy Spirit…” I heard a dove cooing. There it was, perched in the guttering above us - a splendid Biblical symbol of the Holy Spirit! It was later upstaged by Ted the cat, who decided to make it clear that the churchyard is really his territory, not ours, by stretching out on our improvised Communion table.
This week’s Youth-Fest was a brilliant event. The site at St Andrew’s was transformed, with a football cage, a tea-tent in the wood, a double-decker MessageBus on the car park, an array of crazy games brought along by Warren Furman (better known as the Gladiator Ace from the 1990s TV show), as well as the main marquee where the young people joined in with worship and teaching from Magnitude. There was also an arts and crafts marquee, and work to transform the blue shipping container has begun. Thank you to everyone who worked hard to make it happen, and especially to James Simister whose inspired idea it was. When I dropped by on Wednesday though, I was surprised to find the leaders packing up a day early. One of the young people had tested positive for Covid-19 and, although the whole event took place outdoors, the right thing was to play safe. The rising number of local Covid cases and the fact that several of the volunteers have had to isolate means that the Holiday Club planned for next week has also sadly been cancelled. It is disappointing, especially as Sarah Griffiths and the team have already put in many hours of preparation, but again we feel it is the wisest course. Living with so much uncertainty is challenging for us all. It is good to know that His Spirit is with us.
God bless
Ian
Saturday 31 July
10.00 am - 12.00 noon All Saints will be open for Private Prayer.
Sunday 1 August
8.30 am Holy Communion at All Saints. A simple 30-minute service. No booking required but you will need to give your name and contact details or sign in using the NHS Test-and-Trace app. Please look after one another by remaining socially distanced and wearing your mask.
10.30 am Outdoor Family Worship with baptisms onsite at St Andrew’s and online via the church Facebook page. You can see the Service Order here. Please come and support the baptism families if you can. If you are joining us at St Andrew’s:
· Bring your own garden chair to sit on the grass. (Some church chairs available on the tarmac.)
· Parking. Sorry - there are no car parking spaces onsite this week. Please use the Bowling Club car park.
· Sign-in at the gate or use the QR Code for track-and-trace. Follow the directions of the Welcome team.
· Wear your mask if you go inside to use the toilets.
· Keep a 1+ metre space from others.
· Take your service sheet away with you afterwards.
Daily Prayer in August
We are taking a break from livestreamed Daily Prayer in August. We will begin again on 1 September. A Daily Prayer sheet with readings and prayers for the whole of August is attached for you to use in your own way. You can read this here.
Mission Prayer - Tuesday 10 August
7.00 pm - outside at 36 Southdown Road.
Lunch at the Blacksmith’s Arms - Wednesday 11 August
12.00 noon - primarily for folk from the 8.30 am congregation or anyone who spends a lot of time on their own. Please contact Celia Coward (07376 641134) if you would like to come.
Other Information
Reflect Pregnancy Loss training. One in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage. Reflect are running a Pregnancy Loss training course for potential volunteers this autumn. For more information visit the website https://reflectsupport.co.uk/news-and-events
Giving Online You can support All Saints and St Andrew’s Church through our online donation page or via the church Facebook page (‘Shop Now’) or the church website. If you are a UK taxpayer, please confirm that you would like to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation. This will add 25p to every £1 you give.
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