Team Letter, June 2021

by | Jun 24, 2021 | Team Letter

Dear Friends

It’s nearly two months since I last wrote – how the year flies by! – and it’s good to know that we have a little more freedom in terms of coronavirus restrictions, albeit we still wait for the final unlocking. Having said all that, as you may be aware, Coronavirus rates are increasing again, particularly here in the North West and so the Government is advising those of us who live in Warrington to meet others outdoors if possible and to minimise travel in and out of the area, as well as to continue to be tested twice weekly with lateral flow tests (COVID-19) Coronavirus restrictions: what you can and cannot do – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) This yo-yo effect is difficult to deal with and I think many of us are struggling with restriction fatigue at present. The delay to the planned for unlocking on 21 June has also affected our plans as churches with the Ark experience at St.Paul’s and the Summer Fair at St.Mary’s both being postponed now until September. Whilst this is frustrating, I think we need to continue to be patient and vigilant, and to play our parts in helping to reduce the spread of the virus wherever possible.

Looking ahead to the autumn, we will be turning our attention to the Church of England’s Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process.  This is designed to enable churches to engage in deep listening, dialogue, and study about human identity, relationship, sexuality and marriage so that we might gain a deeper understanding of what it means to embody a Christian vision of living holy lives in love and faith. This in turn will be part of a process of discerning a way forward for the Church of England in relation to matters of identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage.

Bishop Bev, lead for Liverpool Diocese, said “Never before has the Church of England produced such a comprehensive and multi-disciplined teaching and learning resource.  It is hoped that every church will participate in the 5 session course with its suite of films, podcasts and journals, so that we may learn together, grow in our understanding and listen deeply, not only to one another and our own inner voice, but most importantly, to what God is saying to the Church”

Our West Warrington Team of core leaders (clergy, local missional leaders and ordinand) have been trialling the course the past five months and would now like to offer it to members of all our churches to participate in. We will begin the course week beginning 12 September 2021 and will be offering the course on 3 separate occasions each week, lead by two members of our core team from different churches. These will be Tuesday and Thursday evenings (all being well, in-person at 7.30 p.m.) and Wednesday afternoons at 3 p.m. on Zoom. Full details at the end of this letter.

If you would like to take part in the course (and I encourage you to do so!) please contact your clergy or local missional leaders, and let them know what day of the week you could attend asap so that we can order course booklets for those wishing to attend. For further information, please speak to them or look at the course introduction Living in Love and Faith | The Church of England.

With my prayers and best wishes 

Jeremy Tear

 Pioneer Team Rector

 

LLF Course Dates

Tuesday Evenings, 7.30 – 9.00 p.m., In-person (Venue TBC)

14 September, 21 September, 28 September, 5 October, 12 October

(NB The session on 5 October may not go ahead in which case there will be an additional session on 19 October)

Wednesday Afternoons, 3.00 – 4.30 p.m., Zoom

15 September, 22 September, 29 September, 6 October, 13 October

(NB The session on 6 October may not go ahead in which case there will be an additional session on 20 October)

Thursday Evenings, 7.30 – 9.00 p.m., In-Person (Venue TBC)

16 September, 23 September, 30 September, 21 October, 28 October

(NB No sessions on 7 October and 14 October)

Parish Magazine Letter, Jun / Jul 2021

by | Jun 1, 2021 | Magazine Letter

Dear Friends

As I write today (17 May) we have entered step 3 of the roadmap and a further easing of restrictions is taking place. For many, this may be a cause for rejoicing as we are now able to go on holiday to certain countries (without quarantining on return), eat indoors at restaurants and pubs, go to the cinema and sports matches, meet with up to 6 others (or 2 households) indoors, and even give a (cautious!) hug. But for some, perhaps those who have been shielding or are feeling anxious, these new freedoms may lead to further anxiety – will I be safe if I venture into unknown territory? The rise of the Indian variant of the virus is a source of concern at present and who knows exactly what will happen to the proposed date for the ending of restrictions on 21 June?

In the face of ongoing uncertainty, it is good to be reminded by the author of Hebrews that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). He will not change, even though things continue to change around us. As we all continue to adjust in our different ways to coming out of lockdown, may I remind you that you are very welcome to attend services at St.Mary’s when you feel comfortable to do so. We are working hard to maintain a covid secure environment and if we all play our part in that by following the protocols in place regarding mask wearing and appropriate social distancing, we can continue to keep each other, and those visiting for services, safe. Currently we have about 10 people attending both our Sunday 8am and Wednesday 10 am services, 30 people attending at Sunday 10am, and a further 10 logging in on Zoom (thanks to our broadband finally being installed at the end of March!). But we do have room for more at every service, so feel free to join us when you are ready (and register using Eventbrite if you wish to come to the 10 am Sunday service – details elsewhere in the magazine).

As mentioned in the last magazine, we had our Easter Prayer and Gift Weekend at the beginning of April. I am delighted to report that this raised around £11,000 (including Gift Aid to be reclaimed) to help replace income we are expecting to lose this year due to the implications of coronavirus. So thank you very much to all those who responded. At the end of April, we held our APCM in church and had a good attendance of about 30 people. The PCC have since consulted with members of the church regarding proposals for payment of parish share and the proposed extension/car park – thank you to all who returned their questionnaires. These will have been talked about at the PCC on 19 May and the PCC will be in touch with people further as a result. Do please keep praying for wisdom for the PCC as it considers these important matters affecting the life of our church.

Finally, please do come to our Summer Fair on Saturday 3 July. We hope for a fine day and the opportunity to be able to freely mix with others in our community as we raise much needed funds for the church (should the fair be unable to go ahead on July 3, we will reschedule it for later in the year instead). Keep an eye out for further details!

With my very best wishes to you and to your loved ones.

Take care and stay safe

 

Jeremy Tear

Pioneer Team Rector