Friday, 6 November 2020

Dear Friends in Christ,

I am sure that we are all sharing the same sense of déjà vu as we enter another period of national lockdown. What makes things worse with this second round of lockdown is that it means our Remembrance Day services have to be curtailed. In more normal times, we would have journeyed through prayers, readings and meditations as we prepared ourselves for the laying of wreaths, the sounding of the Last Post and the keeping of two minutes’ silence. When the lockdown was announced all public worship was included. Following many representations the government has relaxed the blanket ban, but only for Remembrance Sunday. We are now allowed to hold a shortened outdoor Remembrance Sunday service, as long as we comply with the Covid pandemic restrictions.

This Sunday there will be a Service for Remembrance Sunday at the War Memorial on The Green in Corby Glen. The service will begin at 10.45am, and will last approximately 25 minutes. Those wishing to attend this service must remember to maintain social distancing, this remains at two metres. There will also be the requirement for everyone attending to wear face coverings. Despite our strong need to remember those who have given their lives, as well as those whose lives have been irreparably damaged in the service of their country, we must also remember that we have a social duty to protect others in the community as well as ourselves. Do please come to the service on Sunday and wear your poppy with pride, but please remember the additional constraints that are making this service possible.

Another service of remembrance that occurs at this time of the year is our annual Service of Light, Hope and Remembrance. This service gives an opportunity for us to come together and remember those loved ones we no longer see in this world. This service cannot take place in church this year but it will still happen. A service has been filmed and will be available on the Benefice website (www.corbyglenchurches.uk) and there will be a live service on Zoom. Both of these services will take place on Sunday, 22 November at 6pm. If you would like to take part in the Zoom service, please let me have your email address and I will send you the Zoom invitation.

As the year draws to a close, our thoughts will also go to how we might celebrate the Christmas season this year. Obviously, it is not possible to make any firm plans until we know whether the government is going to lift the restrictions we are currently living under. However, there will be a Carol Service (or two) on Zoom and, if we are allowed back in our churches for public worship, there will be a Crib Service in St John’s Church on Christmas Eve afternoon. Also, if we are allowed, there will be a Midnight Service in St Andrew’s Church, Irnham, as well as a Christmas Family Communion service in Corby Glen.

Finally for this week, don’t forget to use the resources available on our website. The services, etc. can all be downloaded as podcasts as well as being heard on-line.

With every blessing to you all,

Revd Stephen