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
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