Dear Friends

As lockdown continues and our churches continue to remain closed for public worship, I appreciate that this remains a very challenging time for us all. The poor weather of recent weeks, culminating in flooding across parts of the country (including here in Warrington), does not help either, and we may well be feeling thoroughly fed up as a result. Positively speaking though, there are signs that spring is on its way and the news that over 10 million people have received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine is a very welcome development.

This month sees the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday 17 February. As mentioned in last month’s letter, 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 in West Warrington are also 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? In the light of the recent flooding in Warrington, this course feels more pertinent than ever. If you would like to join a group (in addition to any Lent groups your church may be running), these will take place on Mondays and Wednesdays at 2pm, and Thursday at 7.30 p.m. Please let me know by Sunday 14 February at the latest if you would like to be involved.

Finally, two of our local churches in West Warrington are providing support to those affected by flooding, namely Kings Church through its centre on Marina Avenue, and Bethany Church on Liverpool Road. King’s Church are providing food parcels to those in need through its ‘Kings Table’ food bank. You can contact Jacky Johnson jacky-johnson9@sky.com if you wish to donate. Bethany Church is  providing food, clothes and household items. Contact John Addison revjohnaddison@gmail.com if you can help.

Take care and stay safe.

With my best wishes and prayers

Jeremy Tear, Pioneer Team Rector