Benefice
Newsletter
11 June 2020
Do you have a few minutes for the Thought for the Day videos in your daily or weekly schedule every now and then? We have touched upon them before, but here is a reminder that people in the Diocese are still making and publishing these every day at 9:30 on their website, Youtube, Facebook and Twitter.
As for us, our own service will be on our Youtube channel on Sunday morning, as usual.
Agnes
You will no doubt have heard the PM’s announcement that churches will open for private prayer from 15 June. Sadly, what the announcement did not address was the need for compliance with the safety guidelines issued from the Public Health Authority and the Church of England. Nor did it mention the consideration of local context and the measures needed to comply with guidelines to keep visitors and volunteers safe.
As a clergy team we recognise the need to seek solace in our places of worship that are so familiar to us, places that we have all very much missed during the lockdown. We, like you, are yearning for that time when we can all return. Our overriding concern, however, has to be the safety of visitors and volunteers. Sadly, we cannot yet comply with the public safety guidelines and therefore we are unanimous in our decision that for the time being our churches must remain closed.
This decision has been discussed with the churchwardens of both churches who are in complete agreement. We recognise that this will disappoint many of you, and we ask for your understanding and support. We are, and remain, strong advocates of churches being open for prayer; however, the safety of visitors and volunteers has to come first. With the churchwardens we will be continually reviewing the situation and will keep you up-to-date.
Until such time as the churches are open, can we remind all keyholders that with the exception of the clergy and churchwardens no one should access the church buildings or the church halls for any reason.
Our buildings are beautiful reminders of God’s glory but God is not contained solely within them. Nor is the Church bound by church buildings, as we have all experienced in the last few weeks. God is with us all wherever we are. In the words of Archdeacon Richard, ‘keep praying and keep listening for him, wherever you find yourself’.
God bless
Rev Paula York
Rev Christine Ostler
Rev Canon Margaret Johnson
From next Wednesday, 17 June, we will be holding a service of Evening Prayer via Zoom at 17:30. If you would like further information and the link please email Rev Christine on c.ostler@btinternet.com. We continue to meet for Morning Prayer on Tuesdays and Thursdays on Zoom at 8:30. All are very welcome to join us. If you are not familiar with Zoom, we can help you set it up on your phone, tablet or computer.
Rev Christine
The Archbichop of York, Dr John Sentamu, retired from his post on Sunday 7 June, after working 15 years as Primate of England and Metropolitan in the Church of England and a Privy Councillor.
He said: “It has been a great joy and privilege to serve as Archbishop of York these past 15 years. Not only did I get to live in God’s own county, but I have been able to be a voice for the North, championing the cause of those who live here. Now it is time to open a new chapter in my life and I welcome the opportunity during these strange times to share some reflections, readings, songs and prayers with listeners of local radio. I am assured that Jesus Christ will continue to be my constant companion and guide in whatever is to come, and my prayer is that all may come to know him as their personal friend and Saviour. Every blessing!”
Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, formerly Bishop of Reading, then Bishop of Chelmsford, will take up the role as the 98th Archbishop of York.
I am pleased to announce that we are recommencing printing the magazine with effect from the July issue. If you would normally have your copy delivered, or if you are receiving a benefice newsletter by post or by hand, then you will automatically receive a magazine, otherwise, let me know and I will ensure that you receive a copy each month from now on.
If you have any articles for the July magazine, could I please have them by Sunday 14 June?
John
I have about 10 Evesham Special Brussels sprout plants looking for a good home. They are in small pots, ready to plant out. A small donation to the All Saints Summer Fete virtual plant stall would always be welcome. Ring 01933 383868.
Caroline
Our Sunday services are accompanied by music sung by the Choral Scholars of St Martin-in-the-Fields in London. There are ten of them who record themselves in their own respective homes, and then mix it all together. They produce new pieces each week and make them available for churches free of charge. Find out more about them here.
Those who suffer in body, mind or spirit, among them: Christian Smalley, Peter Boulden.
The housebound: Ruth S, Doreen A, Margaret O, Diana B, Pat W.
The Church of the Province of Myanmar (Burma), The Most Revd Stephen Than Myint Oo, Archbishop of Myanmar and Bishop of Yangon; The Porvoo Churches – Argyll and the Isles, Connor, Lolland Falster.
If you would like to add a name to our prayer list, please first obtain the consent of the person you wish us to pray for. Then tell Rev Paula or Agnes at the Benefice Office whom to pray for and the reason why. A name remains on the list for three weeks.
Morning and evening prayer on Zoom – call Rev Christine (01933 226730).
Ian (phone 01933 274222) can help collect your shopping and prescriptions,
and he and Bob A. (01933 383316) collect Foodbank donations.
Northamptonshire Coronavirus Support Line for getting food, prescriptions and other services – call 0300 126 1000 / option 5.
Our own Prayer and Praise services online
List of churches with online services
Free worship phone line – call 0800 804 8044
For good mental health
For worship at home
For households with children: Faith at Home
Further resources from Peterborough Diocese