We continue meeting on the internet, this week with Canon Ann and Canon Tony. In the meantime, preparations are underway to enable us to return to public worship in church next month, on a limited basis initially, so that we comply with Government guidelines.
We are pleased to be able to offer a said Holy Communion in church every Sunday morning at 8am, beginning 2nd August. On the 4th Sunday of the month (23rd August) the service in church will take place at 10am to give those a chance to come who would not otherwise be able to get there at an earlier time. The hope is that everyone who would like to attend a church service will get the chance to do so at least once a month.
We will continue with our Zoom services at 10am, except on the 4th Sunday when it will be at 8am.
Numbers in church will be limited to 25 people because of social distancing, so you will need to book your place in advance on the internet using the ticketing platform TryBooking. This is free for you to use.
How do I book?
- This is the link for booking places at the 8am on Sunday 2nd August. Click on the link then follow the instructions. Booking will be open from Monday to Thursday for the following Sunday. So for this week, you will be able to book for August 2nd from 27-30th July.
- If are not on the internet and cannot book online, please phone the office (01273 440202) between Monday and Thursday and Sue or Jenny will book you in.
- You will only be able to book one Sunday at a time. This is to prevent the same people booking every week, as it may be that more people than we can accommodate wish to come to the service. Once the service is full, if you have been unsuccessful and would like to attend the following Sunday, please tell the office immediately (email or phone) and you will be given a priority place ahead of the Monday to Thursday booking times
- 23 places will be offered (an additional two places are reserved each week for our reader and intercessor). It may be that there are still places left after the booking times of Monday to Thursday. In this case anyone can book a place on Friday / Saturday.
- Children are of course welcome but please note there will be no 10 o’clock Rock in August. We hope to soon offer provision for families and children at a different time, outside in the vicarage garden.
- Facemasks. The Church of England this week issued the following statement: ‘We strongly advise that face coverings should be worn by all those attending a place of worship, including ministers, worshippers, staff, volunteers, contractors and visitors, where there may be other people present; remembering that they are mainly intended to protect other people, not the wearer, from coronavirus COVID-19 and that they are not a replacement for physical distancing and regular hand washing.’
Please do not just turn up at church without having booked as we have to follow the guidelines set for social distancing. Government guidance includes a request for names of attendees to be recorded and kept for 21 days to assist ‘track and trace’ if required. We will use the TryBooking platform to assist us with this record.
The PCC will be reviewing the new arrangements and the booking system in September, and we will adjust as necessary. We hope it doesn’t sound too complicated and look forward to seeing you either in church or on Zoom!
Collect
Generous God,
you give us gifts and make them grow:
though our faith is small as mustard seed,
make it grow to your glory
and the flourishing of your kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Readings
1 Kings 3.5-12, Psalm 119.129-136, Romans 8.26-39, Matthew 13.31-33,44-52
Art on the Fence Update
George writes:
‘The final amount raised at the weekend was a staggering £619! I’m so proud of the sterling work the fundraising team did to make the event what it was. Everyone did an outstanding job. My thanks to all the artists for exhibiting their work, and to give all the money raised from the sale of their work to the two charities. St Barnabas Hospice received £310 in loving memory of our dear friend Ted Young. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution received a similar amount of £310 in living memory of our dear friend Christopher Petty. We would like to thank the congregation and general public who supported so generously the art exhibition, and help throughout the weekend’s event.’
Bible Art based on Romans 8.26,27
Rev Jess writes:
‘This verse has always been important to me because my prayer seems so inadequate, but the idea that the Holy Spirit comes and takes my prayer with sighs too deep for words, and that the Father then receives the interpreted prayers is very reassuring. Some translations have 'groans too deep for words' and that is even more powerful during grief and other traumas ... and the purple colour in this painting is the groans ... those of the person praying and the holy spirit. By the time the prayer has been interpreted, it is pure gold’.
And finally...
…have you spotted the hand painted signs outside the church hall, near the planter?
Many thanks to our church warden Lucy for brightening up this area.
Blessings,
Revd Jane