We heard this week from the Government the good news that church buildings will be able to open for worship from the 4th July as long as physical distancing and hygiene measures are in place. At the time of writing, we are still waiting for guidance from our diocese about how we are to best manage this transition. It is likely to take us some time to get everything in place.
In a press statement the Bishop of London Sarah Mullally wrote:
‘The last three months have been an extraordinary time - the first period without public worship and the sacraments in England in more than 800 years. There will be real joy as we begin to come together again – if even at a physical distance – but I also know that many will be understandably cautious at this news.’
‘We will not be returning to normality overnight - this is the next step on a journey’.
We’ll keep you posted about how and when we’ll resume our worship at the church. In the meantime, if you are able, keep joining us on the internet, and please hold the leadership teams in your prayers as we plan our way forward.
Services this week
Please join us online for one of our various services each week.
Collect
God our saviour,
look on this wounded world
in pity and in power;
hold us fast to your promises of peace won for us by your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Readings
Jeremiah 28.5-9 , Psalm 89.1-4,15-18, Romans 6.12-23, Matthew 10.40-42
Art work for our Gospel reading by Rev’d Jess
‘I was thinking about the father in the story of the prodigal son, how he ran to welcome his son, which is why I have shown the 'welcomer', running with open arms. I have shown Jesus as being behind the 'you', only being visible on the side away from the 'welcomer' but still being included in the welcoming. The picture is done on top of an old prayer-painting because I thought the squiggles in the top were a way of showing the God who is being welcomed within the 'you' plus Jesus figures. There is a glory going on all over the painting, the rejoicing of the heavenly hosts during these events. Welcoming those Jesus sends is welcoming Jesus too even when we don't know it, and welcoming Jesus is welcoming God himself’.
Rev’d Jess.
A prayer-painting retreat
Rev’d Jess writes:
‘I am thinking of running another online prayer-painting retreat, one day a week for 6 weeks, starting sometime mid-July. This is based on the one week retreat which several of our church members took part in at the end of May. You don't have to be able to draw or paint as it is not about that at all, it's more about watching paint dry. The retreat is based on the story of Jesus and Peter walking on the water. All materials except paper are supplied.
For more information contact Rev’d Jess
Church Magazine
Our editor Adam is looking for contributions for our July edition. Email him if you have any offerings.
10 o’clock Rock
An activity for our children is available for download. Thank you Daisy.
And finally...
It’s been wonderful to have opened the church for individual prayer. So far all seems to have gone well with the new social distancing and hygiene arrangements. Many people have popped in and expressed their delight at being able to visit.
Do drop me a line if you need any support or just a chat.
Rev’d Jane.