To all who have weddings planned in the Corby Glen Group of Parishes
Tuesday, 24 March 2020
Dear Friends,
How rapidly things have changed over recent days!
Just one week ago I was able to write to say that if you have a wedding booked in one our churches you will be getting married on that day! Sadly, following the Prime Minister’s broadcast of yesterday evening, I am no longer able to offer that cast-iron guarantee. I will DEFINITELY be marrying you, but there is now some uncertainty over the date.
It is clear to all of us that the nation is in a state of crisis over the way in which the Coronavirus may spread in the coming days. It is in the light of this situation that the Prime Minister and the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have stopped gatherings that are not absolutely essential. Unfortunately, weddings and baptisms fall into that category.
Having outlined the severity of the situation, I would like to try and offer some crumbs of comfort. Most of the couples who have a wedding booking before the end of June have now negotiated different dates with me. Some were hoping to go ahead with a small-scale wedding on their original date with a larger-scale Service of Wedding Blessing at a later date. I hope we will be able to stick to those arrangements but, please be aware, that I will only be able to conduct the wedding ceremonies if the authorities of State and Church have lifted their restrictions in time. For those who are hoping to marry later in the year – well, let us all hope and pray that the scientists, the doctors, the politicians and common sense may have brought us to a happier place by then.
As before, if you have any worries, concerns, fears, or anything you need to talk about, please contact me by telephone or email. If I am not immediately available, I will get back to you as quickly as I can.
Keep safe and keep well.
With all good wishes and every blessing,
Stephen