The longer the pandemic continues the harder it becomes for the church financially – our hall income is down and there has been a drop in giving in the plate. There are also some pressing building repair works that need to be done. Many churches are facing the same struggles. The steering group met this week to review our finances and our treasurer Barry has put together a
financial forecast. If the situation doesn’t improve we will be eating into our reserves later next year.
The good news is that we have been able to make some savings, people are increasing their giving and more of you have taken out standing orders. A big thank you to those of you have been in a financial position to do this.
More good news is that the fundraising team are swinging into action and have come up with lots of creative ideas about how we might raise money in a Covid safe way (and have some fun at the same time!). More information to follow soon about their plans. We are very grateful that we have such a dynamic team of fundraisers.
Tuesday Holy Communion
We had our first Tuesday Holy Communion service back in church since the pandemic. Normally we would sit in a cosy circle in the side chapel for this service, but to enable social distancing we are now seated in the main church, and well spread out. The church is unlikely to be full, so you no longer need to book for this Tuesday morning service. Do come along if you would like to receive Communion during the week. We will take your name on the door for test and trace.
This Sunday
This Sunday we welcome our newly ordained curate Steve who is preaching for us. I do hope you will be able to join us either in church or on the internet.
Collect
God, our judge and saviour,
teach us to be open to your truth
and to trust in your love,
that we may live each day
with confidence in the salvation which is given
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Readings
Isaiah 25.1-9 , Psalm 23, Philippians 4.1-9, Matthew 22.1-14
Sunday Craft Sale
Cards and crafts and other items will be on sale in the fresh air of the car park after the Sunday service this week. A mini pop-up market! Do remember to maintain social distancing and take care to wash your hands after handing money.
10 o’clock Rock is back!
This week, Sunday 11th October in the church hall. The session will be run in a Covid-secure way and the numbers are limited. We have decided that the best way to run Sunday school safely is for parents to drop their children off at 10am and pick them up at the end of church. Parents can book into the service if they wish. Communion will be taken over to the hall and the children will watch the Eucharistic prayer on an iPad.
You need to let Daisy know if you’d like your child to attend. You can email her She has lots of ideas for activities this term, and there will also be an exciting change of name for Sunday school. Watch this space!
Messy Church is back, too!
Saturday October 17th 3pm - 4pm
Celebrating Autumn
We welcome families to our first session since the pandemic. This will be socially-distanced and Covid-secure with each family seated at their own table in our well-ventilated church hall. The session includes craft, games, a Bible story and prayer, all with an autumn theme. Places are limited. If you’d like to come with your children please book a place by emailing Daisy. If you know a family who might be interested please help spread the word.
Delayed APCM and electoral roll
The Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council (for the year ended 31st December 2019) and agenda can be downloaded. It is also available as a paper copy at the back of church after a service. If you touch a copy please take it home to help with infection control.
Churches have been given permission by Bishop Martin to hold their APCMs on the internet. This will enable the maximum number of people to participate. This is our meeting that was meant to have happened in April. The new date is 7.30pm, Tuesday October 27th on Zoom.
Good Shepherd's Electoral Roll Revision is nearing its end
If you wish your name to be added to the roll before the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) - 7:30pm, Tuesday, 27-OCT - you must fill in an application form, available on the right side of the church porch, and return it to COGS Electoral Roll Officer, Geoff Holme (16 Fowey Close, Shoreham Beach) OR Revd Jane (COGS vicarage) by Monday, 12-OCT at the latest.
After this date, there is a period of 14 days when errors in the roll may be corrected, but no new names can be added to the roll until immediately after the APCM.
Recycling
Sadly our church recycling is still suspended because of the pandemic. However you can take your plastic recycling directly to Recycling in Lancing, 34 Firle Rd, North Lancing, B150NZ. Take care to check their website and see what plastic items they are accepting and how to bag them up.
Shoreham Churches Together AGM, Wednesday October 14th 7pm.
This will take place on Zoom this year. You are welcome to join. If you’d like a copy of last year’s AGM minutes, please email Revd Jane.
Bible Art
Matthew 22:1-14 Come to the Banquet but wear the right clothes.
Rev’d Jess writes:
‘I’ve just finished my Sunday painting which is of a parable which puzzles me ... Matthew 22:1-14 Come to the Banquet but wear the right clothes. This parable follows the Luke version of the people who refuse to come to the banquet, and the sending out to bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame, (and the bad and the good) but then it suddenly turns nasty as one of those brought in is violently bound and cast out into the outer darkness because he wasn't wearing wedding clothes. So what are these wedding garments that those invited in have to arraign themselves in, given that they are poor? Faith, hope and belief and gratitude? Or something else quite different?The rainbow squiggles are to show that there is a heavenly meaning.’
How to book for next week’s Holy Communion service in church, Sunday 18th October, 10am
- This is the TryBooking link for booking places https://www.trybooking.co.uk/TKB
- Click on the link then follow the instructions. Booking will be open from Monday to Thursday for the following Sunday.
- You will only be able to book one Sunday at a time. This is to prevent the same people booking every week, as it may be that more people than we can accommodate wish to come to the service. Once the service is full, if you have been unsuccessful and would like to attend the following Sunday, please tell the office immediately (email or phone) and you will be given a priority place ahead of the Monday to Thursday booking times
- 22 places will be offered (an additional three places are reserved each week for our reader, intercessor and sacristan). It may be that there are still places left after the booking times of Monday to Thursday. In this case anyone can book a place on Friday/Saturday.
And finally...
Thank you to everyone who donated to the Harvest Shoreham Foodbank Appeal. There was a generous outpouring of gifts this year, much needed at this difficult time.
Please contact me if you would like a chat or ask for prayer. My hours as Associate Vicar are now half time and my working days are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and also Sunday mornings.
I hope you have a blessed week.
Revd Jane.