Presteigne Rectory 29 January 2021

Dear Friends

This weekend we mark the Feast of Candlemas, with just one service in our group of parishes, at St Andrew's  at 11 am on Sunday 31 January.

Elsewhere on this site you will find a copy of A Service for Use at Home at Candlemas, which you can download to use at home if you are unable to come to church.

Candlemas – or the Festival of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple – brings to an end our annual celebration of the Birth of Jesus. It has been faithfully observed by the Christian Church for many centuries and has become a much-loved festival, which often includes a candlelit procession as part of corporate worship.

This year, Covid restrictions prevent us from having a procession in our church service, and many Christians in the UK and beyond can’t attend corporate worship at all. So I invite you to light a candle as you have your own celebration of this lovely festival – symbolizing the arrival of Jesus the Light of the World, and as an aid to prayer.

Speaking of prayer – you may have heard that the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have called the nation to daily prayer for all suffering as a result of the Coronavirus Pandemic.

I would encourage everyone to join in with this important initiative.The Archbishops will be saying prayers at 6pm every day but you can choose any time that suits you, of course.

Most of us feel pretty useless at the moment and wish we could just DO something … well, prayer is something we CAN all do!

The news this week that the Covid death toll in the UK has passed 100,000 souls is especially shocking and sad. Here is a prayer you can say for those countless people who are mourning their loved ones…

Gracious God,
as we remember before you the thousands who have died,
surround us and all who mourn with your strong compassion.
Be gentle with us in our grief,
protect us from despair,
and give us grace to persevere
and face the future with hope
in Jesus Christ our risen Lord. <strong>Amen.</strong><strong></strong>

Keep safe and well.

Stephen

Be joyful, keep the faith, and do the little things.

St David of Wales