The\nArchbishops of Canterbury and York announced on Tuesday 17 March that in light\nof the Government guidance around non-essential contact, public worship is\nsuspended until further notice. We are going to abide by this advice at St.\nBartholomew\u2019s. Therefore, sadly there will be no services on Sundays or second\nWednesdays with immediate effect and until further notice. We will be updating\nthe church website regularly with information about how we can continue to\nworship together in these days, support one another and share the love of God\nwith our neighbours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At a time of\ncrisis, when we would long to gather with our church family so that we can turn\nto God together, we are advised to keep apart in order to protect one another\nand our wider community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However the\nchurch will be opened daily for anyone to use for prayer and reflection and you\nmay add prayers to the board in the side chapel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile,\ndo not hesitate to contact me if I can be of help or you want a chat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is\nentirely understandable that many of us are concerned and fearful about what\ncoronavirus and the coming months will bring. The unknown is very often\ndisconcerting and unsettling. However, we do not need to be afraid for God is\nwith us, whether we are with others or home alone. God is with us, whether we\nare feeling brave or fearful. God is with us, whether we are well or ill. God\nis with us and that makes all the difference. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Psalmist\nputs it this way:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I lift up my eyes to the hills\u2014from\nwhere will my help come?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My help comes from the LORD, who made\nheaven and earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He will not let your foot be moved;\nhe who keeps you will not slumber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He who keeps Israel will neither\nslumber nor sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is\nyour shade at your right hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sun shall not strike you by day,\nnor the moon by night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The LORD will keep you from all evil;\nhe will keep your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The LORD will keep your going out and\nyour coming in from this time on and forevermore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(Psalm 121)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So let’s turn our eyes to God and\nface the coming days confident in the knowledge that <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018My help comes from the LORD ‘.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With love\nand prayers<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Paul<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Paul\nBoddam-Whetham<\/p>\n\n\n\n
01993 776625;\nrector@ducklingtonchurch.org.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n