Benefice
Newsletter
25 June 2020
Well, we are open again. That is, only the Lady Chapels, only for private prayer, and only for brief periods (All Saints: Thurs 10:00-12:00, All Hallows: Wed and Sat 10:30-12:30), but it is a start.
The benefice office is still closed, and the best way for you to make contact is by email, if you want to send an item for the newsletter (please do, we need and are grateful for every content!), or have any queries.
Agnes
It never ceases to amaze me how so many of the Psalms, written more than two thousand years ago, can speak into our current lives, giving vent to our feelings and also comfort and encouragement. One such Psalm which is set for this Sunday is printed below.
Psalm 13
1. How long, O Lord: will you forget me for ever?
how long will you hide your face from me?
2. How long shall I have perplexity in my mind,
and grief in my heart, day after day?
How long shall my enemy triumph over me?
3. Look upon me and answer me, O Lord God;
give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death;
4. Lest my enemy say, ‘I have prevailed over him’,
and my foes rejoice that I have fallen.
5. But I put my trust in your mercy;
my heart is joyful because of your saving help.
6. I will sing to the Lord, for he has dealt with me richly;
I will praise the name of the Lord Most High.
1. How long, O Lord: will you forget me for ever?
how long will you hide your face from me?
2. How long shall I have perplexity in my mind,
and grief in my heart, day after day?
How long shall my enemy triumph over me?
3. Look upon me and answer me, O Lord God;
give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death;
4. Lest my enemy say, ‘I have prevailed over him’,
and my foes rejoice that I have fallen.
5. But I put my trust in your mercy;
my heart is joyful because of your saving help.
6. I will sing to the Lord, for he has dealt with me richly;
I will praise the name of the Lord Most High.
‘How long is this going to last?’ I hear people ask. ‘When will we be able to get back to normal?’ What will be the ‘new normal’? And even, ‘Where is God in all of this?’ I’ve just started reading, God and the Pandemic by Tom Wright and the next on my list to read is Where is God in a Coronavirus World by John Lennox. There are no easy answers, but I take great comfort from Psalm 13. Verses 1 and 2 contain a heart-felt cry – the psalmist feels that God is hiding from him. Verses 3 and 4 are a plea for God to take notice. But then it seems that the psalmist remembers how God has responded in the past and says ’I put my trust in your mercy’ and he experiences a sense of joy which leads him to sing praises. Sadly, at present we can’t gather together to sing praises, but I do hope you join in the singing at home when you listen to and watch services on the radio, television and internet, for the Lord will deal with us richly. We may never return to the ‘old normal’ but I believe that God will be with us every step of the way as we learn to live in the ‘new normal’.
God bless
To repeat last week's announcement: we have put together a film 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 the 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.
Donations for the quiz
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 bank details on the quiz 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
In a debate in 2006 the General Synod of the Church of England acknowledged that the Church had historically played its part in justifying and sustaining slavery, and issued an apology for it.
Recent events have now prompted another debate about statues, monuments or other commemorations to those linked to the slave trade in public places in the UK, including some historic churches.
The Church of England’s Director of Cathedrals and Church Buildings, Becky Clark, said:
“The events of the past weeks in response to the tragic death of George Floyd have brought into focus the question of monuments to individuals who have participated in systemic and targeted discrimination or exploitation based on race. [...] We acknowledge that dialogue alone is not sufficient, and must have real outcomes. These may include the alteration or removal of monuments. However this must be done safely and legally, and we do not condone illegal acts. Dialogue has to be open and honest. Churches and cathedrals are considering how they can address the issues raised by the Black Lives Matter movement and which demonstrations and direct action have brought into such sharp relief.”
Read the whole article here.
Those who suffer in body, mind or spirit, among them: Peter Boulden.
The housebound: Ruth S, Doreen A, Margaret O, Diana B, Pat W.
The Church of North India (United): The most Revd Dr Prem Chand Singh, Moderator of CNI and Bishop of Jabalpur; The Porvoo Churches – Lincoln, Härnösand, Lappo.
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