January 2021
Welcome to our What's On page. Here you will see a list of activities that are going on within and across our three churches. If an item relates to a particular church, it will be indicated at the start as follows:
CTS: Christ The Servant, Digmoor
SMD: St Michael's Dalton
STM: St Thomas The Martyr, Up Holland
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM REV'D PAUL LOCK (1 JANUARY)
After the news that this area would be moving into Tier 4 I have been asking people to share their thoughts about how we should respond. In this email I hope to share with you some of that process and the decisions made. We will continue to review these decisions as the government and Church guidelines and requirements develop.
Deciding how to respond to the new Tiers
After much consultation we have decided that we should reduce the number of services across the parish. A number of people have spoken with me or others about their concerns around the new Covid19 variant. Bishop Paul has also reminded clergy and parishes of our need to do all that we can to help people to keep safe and also to support the NHS by doing all that we can to reduce the risk of infection.
With that said, people have also reminded me that public worship is still permitted (in all Tiers) and also there is a need to provide appropriate opportunities for those who want to worship and pray together.
So our plans reflect the different viewpoints shared and also take into consideration where we can better fulfil the requirements laid down at this time. We also hope that we are giving a string message that no one should feel compelled to attend public worship. The decision must, as always, be a personal one, which is then supported by all of us.
Sunday Worship
From this Sunday (3rd January) our parish will be providing one celebration of the Eucharist in one church. This will be at St Thomas the Martyr, Up Holland at 10.30am. (The size of the building and the space within means that we can maintain social distancing at all times).
There will be no public services on Sundays at Christ the Servant, Digmoor and St Michael & All Angels, Dalton.
Online Services
Will continue to be available on the parish website and on YouTube, as usual.
There is also the opportunity to join in Morning Prayer (9am) and Evening Prayer (6pm) each day. To do this, please email Jack or myself and we will send you the log in details.
Midweek Services
From Sunday 3rd January there will be no midweek services in any of the churches.
Funerals
These will continue to take place.
Baptisms
No baptisms will take place.
Weddings
Will only take place in exceptional circumstances.
Throughout this time the Churchwardens, Jack and myself have been doing all that we can to ensure that coming to church is as relaxed and welcoming as possible whilst maintaining all the requirements to ensure everyone is safe. We remain committed to this. We hope that those who feel they want to join us for the Eucharist on Sundays at 10.30am in St Thomas the Martyr Church, will do so. The service will remain the same as it has been for the that few months.
Please let as many people from church (especially those you know who don’t have access to the Internet) know about these changes to our service times.
In your prayers
Please continue to pray for all those affected by Covid19, those who work in the NHS and all who serve as Carers. Please pray for all those involved in rolling out the vaccinations and all the support required to make this possible. This week, please remember teachers and children returning to school. Let us also pray for all those who volunteer their time and energy to help others, among them the homeless, those who need the support of Food Banks, all who suffer as a result of addiction and all who are facing these difficult times alone.
Finally...
It is disappointing, frustrating and upsetting to be starting 2021 with increased restrictions and news of Covid19 variant. As Christians, we must remain strong in faith and hope. Jesus whose birth we celebrate at this time came to give us the grace and strength we need. By overcoming pain and death, he shows us clearly that darkness and despair cannot have the final word. In Christ and with Christ, we shall be victorious.
Jack and I, and all members of the parish ministry team (clergy and readers) and here for you. Should you need someone to talk to, or need anything at all, please do not hesitate to call us.
God bless you.
Paul
ONLINE SERVICES DURING CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS
We are producing services online to help us all worship and pray from home. Visit the Services page to view what's available. The pre-recorded services will continue in 2021, to support those who wish to stay at home given the current restrictions. They will be available on the Services page, along with the service sheet, every Sunday morning, and also posted on our Facebook page.
MONEY COUNTING
We are making arrangements so that all collections and money paid to the churches and parish can be counted and banked centrally. We need people from all three churches to volunteer to do this (one day on the week), at the moment planned for Tuesday morning. Please speak to a churchwarden if you would willing to help out.
FOOD BANK
Please leave donations in any of our churches and they will be sent to a local food bank where food and other items (e.g. toiletries) are desperately needed. Please be as generous as you can in these challenging times.
BIBLE STUDY
Every Thursday, 7.30pm via Zoom. All welcome. Please email Rev'd Paul Lock for the meeting number and password. Each session is stand alone, so please come if you missed the last one. At the moment, we are looking at readings for the following Sunday.
PARISH MAGAZINE
We have set up a separate page for our Parish Magazine. Go to the page here or via the menu button. January's edition is now available.
NEWSLETTER
You can catch up with all the latest news by visiting the Newsletter page. You can see the current Notices and the service sheet for the last Sunday service, the recording of which can be viewed on the Services page.
CHURCH BUILDINGS
Our three churches, like others across the country, are operating under restrictions. Please keep an eye on this page for updates, and for Paul's regular newsletter. We are currently running Sunday services at STM only at 10.30am (see note from Paul above).