Rector: Rev\u2019d Paul N Boddam-Whetham M.A.
Administrator: Miss Sue Fenn
Friday 24 April 2020 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dear Friends,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each of us will be working out how to use this gift of time\nand space which we have been given during this period of \u201clockdown\u201d when for\nthe health of family and friends, as well as our own, we are diligently\nobserving the rules on social distancing and general good hygiene practice by\nregularly washing hands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I wonder what hobbies and interests you have been able to\nre-establish to keep yourselves occupied? One of our sons sent me an Airfix\nmodel of a Spitfire which I have enjoyed constructing\u2026 it\u2019s probably the first\none I\u2019ve ever completed and painted! You may like to share after our service on\nSunday some experiences of those things which you have been able to do: refresh\nan old interest or take up anew. As well as practical things (and for those\nblessed with a garden there is always something to do!), there are also the\nbooks on the \u201cto read next\u201d shelf which you have not got round to reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keeping our minds and bodies active and alert is so\nimportant in order that we do not slip into a state of inertia. Of greater\nimportance to the Christian, perhaps, is keeping our spiritual being alert and\nalive. We can be thankful that we have the Holy Spirit within us and these days\nof a slightly slower pace for some\u2026 may be because of working at home, or travelling\nto work for our key workers is easier without the rush-hour traffic queues, or\nbecause of self-isolation at home for others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This time may be that opportunity to read more deeply, to\nstudy more diligently and to pray more fervently to develop our relationship\nwith God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Again, it would be helpful if you are\nwilling to share those practices which you have found helpful so that as we\nmove into whatever turns out to be the \u201cnew normal\u201d, we are equipped with the\narmour of God as we respond to God\u2019s call to \u201cbe strong and courageous\u201d. I find\nit greatly encouraging how the readings and collect prayers for Morning Prayer\nwhich we follow at 8 a.m. each weekday and at 9 a.m. on Saturday, are so\nappropriate to the concerns of our day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In order to keep the governance of the church in place (so\nmuch of which was done over coffee after Sunday worship!) the Standing\nCommittee and Ministry Team meet every Thursday using Zoom to focus on three\naspects of our ministry:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am planning to run a Confirmation Preparation Course,\ncurrently for four candidates, so we will be ready to welcome the Bishop\nwhenever it is possible in the autumn. We are also preparing for the Alpha\nCourse hopefully in the traditional format of a group meeting\u2026 but we may need\nto be innovative and design it around Zoom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other ideas which we hope to encourage people to support could be a virtual Meeting Point during a weekday evening for people to \u201cshare\u201d a glass of wine, beer or soft beverage and conversation about issues of today (other than COVID-19!). Something similar could be arranged as a Coffee Morning. I know some regular groups are continuing to meet over Zoom and that\u2019s great to know there is that support for one another\u2026 and others who feel isolated may find it a good way to keep in touch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I hope to see you on Sunday when Mary Carney will be preaching: it\u2019ll be good to welcome her back following her recovery from a major operation in February.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reminder that to gain access to\nthe service is by this link \u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n