Parish Magazine Letter, Feb / Mar 2021

by | Jan 24, 2021 | Magazine Letter

Dear Friends

The introduction of a third national lockdown, though not unexpected, has been a challenging way to begin the new year. It seems that lockdown fatigue is very much evident, with people being tempted to ignore the rules, and yet this period keeps being described as the most dangerous part of the pandemic yet. It was because of the rapid rise in our local infection rate that the Standing Committee took the decision in early January to suspend public worship once again. Whether we will have reopened by the time you read this or not, it remains important that we seek to play our part to reduce transmission rates as far as possible. So, let’s not forget – HANDS-FACE-SPACE.

The brighter news has been the introduction of the mass vaccination programme. Some of you will already have received jabs and others of us will still be waiting. The government has indicated that by the autumn every adult aged over 18 should have been vaccinated but that is, of course, a long way off. So, in the meantime, we need to be wait patiently as a nation and to be careful.

Talk of waiting reminds me of the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, otherwise known as Candlemas, which we shall celebrate this year on 31 January. We are told by Luke in his gospel that Simeon and Anna had been waiting for the revelation of the Messiah. Indeed, it had been revealed to Simeon by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before had seen the Lord’s Messiah. What a wonderful surprise it must have been for him to come into the temple that day and to hold Jesus in his arms, and for Anna to join her praises with his.

Following on from Candlemas, the season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on 17 February, another period of waiting in the run up to Easter. Sarah Peppiatt will be conducting an online service at 7 p.m. that day (details elsewhere in the magazine). Churches Together in Lent will also be running an online Lent Course called ‘Caring for Creation’, looking at climate change and how we respond to that as Christians. Keep an eye out for details of course groups by visiting the website www.stmarysgreatsankey.org.uk,looking at the weekly notice sheet or reading my weekly Vicar’s letter. If you have not yet signed up to ChurchSuite, our church database, do let me know as this is how my weekly letter is distributed.

With my best wishes for the year ahead

Jeremy Tear

Pioneer Team Rector

Team Letter, January 2021

by | Jan 24, 2021 | Team Letter

Dear Friends

Firstly, if it’s not too late, a Happy New Year to you all. The past year has been one that we may rather choose to forget but hopefully this one, with the rollout of the coronavirus vaccines, will be better. But before it gets better, it feels like it is currently getting worse, with the rising death rate and NHS staff working under extremely stressful conditions. Do keep them and those they treat in your prayers.

The introduction of the third lockdown brings its own pressures upon us all as individuals and families, including of course the life of our churches. Whilst we are in theory able to remain open for public worship at present, currently each of our four team churches has taken the decision to close. This will hopefully reduce the risk of the virus being transmitted, and further strain being placed upon our local health service. I realise that for some of us this will feel extremely frustrating, whilst for others it may be a welcome relief. Either way, let us continue to do all that we can to support one another, and others, through this time with our phone calls, emails, online worship and prayers. And don’t forget that if you can transfer your giving online via the Parish Giving Scheme or by Standing Order, that will be extremely helpful too.

Looking ahead, the season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday 17 February. I am very grateful to Sarah Peppiatt who will be leading an online service at 7 p.m. that evening for us as a team, and those within other churches in West Warrington. If you would like to join the livestream, visit the St.Philips Facebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/StPhilipswestbrook. If you don’t have a Facebook account to pick this up, you can always type ‘St Philip’s’ Church Westbrook Facebook videos’ into Google and find the service there afterwards. Churches Together will also be running a Lent course online this year based on material provided by York Courses called ‘Caring for Creation’. How do we as Christians respond to global warming, leading to climate change? What difference does a hope based on faith in God make to how we respond to this issue? If you would like to join a group, do keep an eye out for details via your church notice sheet/website.

Take care and stay safe.

With my best wishes and prayers

 

Jeremy Tear, Pioneer Team Rector