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
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