Benefice
Newsletter
18 June 2020
This week has been a busy one! Almost as soon as our newsletter was published the Church of England issued further guidance on opening churches for private prayer. It was armed with this revised guidance and Risk Assessment form that the churchwardens of each of our churches and I met to decide if it would be possible to re-open the churches for private prayer.
I am pleased to say that we can now comply with the most up to date guidance and therefore both churches will be reopening to give space for those who wish to come inside and pray.
I must reiterate that strict social distancing must be observed, hands sanitiser will need to be used on the way in and out. The arrangements for each church are as follows:
All Hallows:
The Lady Chapel will be available for private prayer on Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 10.30am to 12.30pm. There is a maximum capacity of 10 people, so please do stagger your visit to avoid having to wait outside.
All Saints:
The Lady Chapel will be available (through the side door) on Thursday mornings from 10am to 12 noon. The capacity here is 8 people so again please don’t all arrive at 10am!
It is essential that we all follow the social distancing guidelines for those from different households. There won’t be a service or praying together, the space is not offered as place for a chat and catch up with those you have not seen but instead as place for quiet reflection in the churches that are dear to our hearts.
I also have to reiterate that if the guidelines change, we may need to close the buildings again. In the same way, if the churchwardens and I feel that the safety of stewards or visitors is being put at risk, we may have to close.
I ask, once again, for your patience and understanding as we find our way through these difficult times.
Have you spent the lockdown watching films at home? Or are you a movie buff in general? Here is a challenge to test your knowledge of the silver screen: we have put together a quiz you can download from our website, or email Agnes for an electronic copy.
In our current situation we don't have the funds to offer a prize, but we hope you will give our film quiz a try only for the fun of it. Please submit your entries by 31 July. The winner will be announced in the newsletter and in the magazine.
These are challenging times for all churches. With no services taking place or groups meeting in our halls, the income for both our churches is drastically reduced. There is also the loss of fundraising events which would have taken place over the summer and of course no visitors to either church. The quiz is offered to everyone free of charge this summer, normally it would have to be paid for – if you would like to make a donation of £2 per entry, please use the following bank details or alternatively pop the cash into an envelope to bring into church when you are able to visit.
Please do share the quiz (and the donation request) far and wide.
With thanks,
Rev Paula
Bank transfer
Account holder: Parish Church Council All Saints, Wellingborough
Sort code: 30 99 26
Account number: 00113947
Cheque
Payable to Parish Church Council All Saints, Wellingborough
Post to All Saints Church, Midland Rd, Wellingborough NN8 1HF
We ask that payment be made to All Saints' account for the sake of simplicity. All funds raised will be fairly shared between the two churches. To let our treasurer know why you are sending money, if you donate by bank transfer, please add QUIZ as your reference. If you send a cheque, write QUIZ on the back of it.
Account holder: Parish Church Council All Saints, Wellingborough
Sort code: 30 99 26
Account number: 00113947
Cheque
Payable to Parish Church Council All Saints, Wellingborough
Post to All Saints Church, Midland Rd, Wellingborough NN8 1HF
We ask that payment be made to All Saints' account for the sake of simplicity. All funds raised will be fairly shared between the two churches. To let our treasurer know why you are sending money, if you donate by bank transfer, please add QUIZ as your reference. If you send a cheque, write QUIZ on the back of it.
A series of reflections from the Church of England, titled Supporting Good Mental Health and published at the start of the lockdown, provide themes for the BBC Radio 4 Daily Service from 15 to 26 June.
The guide offers Bible quotations and reflections on a number of areas including living in isolation, loneliness and worry. It gives simple Christian meditation techniques and tips that could help people feeling isolated or anxious, as well as those who may be grieving.
Content shared by the Church of England as part of last month’s Mental Health Awareness Week was seen more than 2.1 million times. This includes the reflections and a special weekly online service broadcast, with a contribution from HRH The Duke of Cambridge. This particular online service reached and engaged a young audience, with more than 25% watching on YouTube under the age of 34.
You can catch the Daily Service on BBC Radio 4 every day from 9:45, or on demand on the website.
The Anglican and the Catholic Churches in England and Wales have trusted the charity Victim Support with managing their new project Safe Spaces, to provide support for survivors of church related abuse. The project will run for an initial period of two years, during which a dedicated website, a helpline and therapeutic support groups will be set up.
We hope you won't ever have to use this service. However Victim Support also works with people affected by crime, abuse and traumatic events. If you know someone who might need their help, direct them to the charity's website or give them its phone number (0808 16 89 111).
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 Nigeria (Anglican Communion): The Most Revd Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, Metropolitan and Primate of all Nigeria and Bishop of Abuja; The Porvoo Churches – Diocese in Europe, Visby, Copenhagen.
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).
Our Prayer and Praise services online
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.
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