Friday, 27 November 2020
Dear Friends in Christ,
We now know what lies in store for us over the coming weeks. As we journey through Advent we know just how different things are going to be this year. In the last twenty-four hours our government’s announcements have evoked many comments, both positive and negative. However, we are where we are, and our churches must adhere to the rules that are in place to preserve the safety of all. To that end, I am pleased to say that Public Worship will resume from Wednesday, 2nd December. The regular mid-week service of Holy Communion will be celebrated in St John’s Church, Corby Glen at 10am. Then, from Sunday, 6th December, Sunday morning services will resume at 9am and 10.30am. The services on 6th December will be in St Andrew’s Church, Irnham. The alternating pattern of using the churches in Irnham and Corby Glen will resume from that day. The new regulations and the approach of Christmas make it more important than ever that those wishing to attend any of these Sunday services should contact me in advance to ‘book’ a place.
Following on from my second letter of last week, I can now confirm the services that will take place over the Christmas period. There will be two Carol Services that will be held on Zoom. These services will be at 4pm and 6.30pm on Sunday, 20 December. The invitation to join these services was included in my letter of last week, but I will send them out again in each of the coming weeks’ letters/emails. Whilst it is disappointing that we will not be able to gather in our churches to hear the retelling of the Christmas story, using Zoom does mean that we will be able to ‘sing lustily’ from the comfort of our own homes! For those who cannot access Zoom, or who would prefer not to use a video conferencing package, there will be a similar service available on our Benefice website from 20 December.
On Christmas Eve there will be a Crib Service in St John’s Church, Corby Glen. This will be a simpler service that is aimed at families and younger members of our communities. This service will be at 3pm. It is essential that everyone who wishes to attend the Crib Service should book a place through me in advance of Christmas Eve.
Also on Christmas Eve, there will be two services of Midnight Holy Communion. The services will be at St Andrew’s Church, Irnham and St Nicholas’ Church, Swayfield. Both services will begin at 11.30pm. Once again it is essential that everyone who wishes to attend one of these services should book a place through me in advance of Christmas Eve. Please note that since last week’s letter, the service at Swayfield is already fully booked.
On Christmas morning there will be the annual service of Holy Communion in St John’s Church, Corby Glen, beginning at 9.30am. Once again it is essential that everyone who wishes to attend this service should book a place through me in advance of Christmas Eve.
We are living through strange times and yet we should still be rejoicing in the joyous message of Christmas. Let us give thanks to God that we are still able to celebrate the Incarnation of Jesus and let us not be distracted by the differences, rather let us journey through Advent in prayerful anticipation of the true joy of Christmas.
With every blessing to you all,
Revd Stephen