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Please see the following letter below:
Letter to PCC and all members of our congregations
in St John the Baptist, Stone and SS Peter and Paul, Dinton.
Dear Friends,
The Standing Committee met this morning to discuss the new context of the frightening rates of Covid in the nation, locally and in our congregations. We prayed for wisdom and we prayed for Joanna and David Robinson who have Covid. We ask you to pray as well.
There are members of our Standing Committee who have advocated for in person services and who have argued that people need to be able to make their own decisions. There are members who noted the numbers attending and wanted to respect the commitment of our people to meeting together and meeting God. There are members who have long advocated that any risk is too big a risk, if not for those who come, for others who may subsequently be infected.
The Bishops of our diocese made a new context clear to us in a letter when they said:
‘The new variant of the virus spreads more rapidly. There have been examples of transmission in churches locally, even where the previously recommended measures were all observed.’
We have taken advice from doctors close to the frontline, and a data analyst working for Bucks who attends a church in our benefice. The statists are frightening and the NHS close to being overwhelmed.
We have made the decision to close our church buildings for in person worship
until there is a significant change in the circumstances.
We recognise just how devastating this will be for some people and we agreed to contact as many people as possible as quickly as possible.
Exile
We are now a church n exile from our building. When the Temple was destroyed in Jerusalem and the people scattered some thought it was the end. It was not. The result of exile was the rediscovery of what was important. Up to that point the Scriptures were not ordered and public worship was irregular. In exile the people of God valued their Bible and met in new ways establishing synagogues that have empowered the community ever since.
We are able to learn a new way and discover the heart of the good news of Jesus. Here are verses set for Epiphany:
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. (Isaiah 60:1-2)
Worshipping together
Please join us for worship tomorrow at 10.30am.
We are meeting on Zoom for a simple service. The service sheet is in preparation and will be available to download from our website.
· Join Zoom by clicking here https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84997669169
· or phone 0203 901 7895
You can expect a simple service with participation.
There is also an online service here and a story for children here.
Any concerns or thoughts – do ring Churchwardens or Rev Nigel or me.
Canon Phil Groves 01296 748390 |
