Sunday, 30 August 2020
Dear Friends in Christ,
Public Worship in September
It is now a month since we resumed public worship in our Benefice. During that time there have been two celebrations of Holy Communion each week. These services have alternated between the two largest churches in our Benefice in order that we might follow the national guidelines on social distancing. In September there will be some additional services to supplement the on-going pattern that has been established since the beginning of August.
From Tuesday, 1 September, Revd Aron and I will be resuming our normal practice of saying the daily offices of Matins and Evensong in St John’s Church, Corby Glen. These services will be at 8.30am and 4pm each day. You are all welcome to join us for these services during which we enter into the regular rhythm of praying and reading scripture which is the core of the Church’s life throughout the world. You do not have to feel that this has to be a daily commitment, but it can provide a short time of comfort and consolation in the maelstrom of uncertainty that surrounds us at the moment.
This time of year is the moment when the Christian calendar encourages us to give thanks for the wonders of God’s creation as we celebrate our Harvest Festivals. In previous years these services would have been followed by Harvest Suppers and Lunches during which we could share God’s bounty with others in our communities. This year, the Covid 19 virus, has stopped our gathering in that way but it has not stopped us from thanking God for his generosity and bounty. In order that we might celebrate the Harvest and offer our thanks for those involved in the production of our food there will be two Harvest Festivals this year. The first will be in Irnham at 4pm on Sunday, 13 September, the second will be in Corby Glen at 4pm on Sunday, 20 September. If the weather is favourable, it is hoped that both of these services will be in the respective churchyards. If the weather is not so good, we will move into the churches. In the hopeful expectation of two fine afternoons, please bring your own garden chairs to minimize the need for quarantining and deep cleaning the church furniture. I hope to see many people at these important services in our calendar.
Finally, I would like to announce the re-instatement of our mid-week celebration of Holy Communion. This service began not long after I came to the Benefice, almost five years ago. Over that time it has become a popular service in which we can join in fellowship and prayer as we are fed and strengthened by God’s great gift of the Eucharist. The service will resume at 10am on Wednesday, 2 September at St John’s Church, Corby Glen. The service will then be at the same time each week. There will be no need to book for this service. Just come along and meet God in his holy house.
Please do join us as we live out our call to pray to God and to worship him with joyful hearts. We may be living through strange and challenging times, but that need not stand in the way of prayer and worship.
With every blessing to you all,
Revd Stephen