From the Rector
9 April 2020
Dear Friends,
It
is with sadness that I must tell you of the death of Bob Fidler a
long-time member of the church, and faithful member of the choir until
restricted by his immobility. Also of Gordon Etheridge, a more recent
member who has been sharing with us on Second Wednesdays over the last
six months. We pray for their family and friends, especially as they
will be unable to hold a funeral service in church. Both will have
services at the Crematorium with immediate family only, followed by
interment of ashes in the churchyard. We have been following the Way of
the Cross this week in a manner which has had a special resonance for
us as we have come to share in a very particular way in the isolation
and loneliness which Jesus experienced in the Garden of Gethsemane. As
we continue individually or in our families managing in our own way how
to cope with self-isolation in the home or social distancing outside, we
are drawing on deep emotional and spiritual reserves within us.
As
we discover these inner resources we need to replenish them in this
gift of time we have, through creative ways of reaching beyond the
restraints imposed on many of us in our own homes. For some this may be
through more extended time of contemplative and reflective prayer and
focussed reading of the Bible or biographies of Christians who may
stimulate and encourage us. We can all prepare and look ahead to that
time in the coming months when we can return to some normal interaction
in our lives. As we celebrate Christ’s resurrection this weekend, I hope
we can say, with the couple who walked alongside him on the Emmaus
Road, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us
on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?”
However lonely or confined we may feel, we are not alone, and we can know Jesus is walking alongside us today as his did with those disciples then. What will our response be as Christians to our family and friends who may have found this a really difficult time? Can we share with them our faith that Jesus did not remain lying in an ancient tomb, but has been raised from death and is alive?
Alleluia, Christ is Risen!
He is risen indeed, Alleluia!
I look forward to you being able to ZOOM to share in worship and prayer on this Easter Day at 10:30 a.m.
I shall lead a service of the word followed by sharing bread together
in the form of our “Home Communion” service. If you wish, you may like
to have a small piece of bread alongside you as you participate in
fellowship, taking breaking and eating the bread in communion with our
brothers and sisters in Christ.
Access to the service is by this link – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4905689876?pwd=eWtJeUlmcS9SdU42Zi9tZGpUdGhUdz09 For those who will dial in, you may use any if these numbers:
0131 460 1196; 0203 051 2874; 0203 481 5237; 0203 481 5240
Meeting ID: 490 568 9876;
I
hope you have received a phone call from one of the Core Team to see
that all is well with you. If you have not yet, please let Gill Long
know and she will arrange this for you. I apologise if one or two
have slipped through our pastoral net. If you would like to talk about
any particular concerns at this time, please do contact me by phone and
email.
With my prayers for your good health and safe-keeping,
Paul. —
Rev’d Paul N Boddam-Whetham
Rector,
St. Bartholomew’s
Ducklington
01993 776625