Daily Scripture:…whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. (1 John 5 v4)Daily Reflection: When the chips are really down we may question our faith, wherever we are on our spiritual journey. At the moment, with so much of our lives being tested to the limit, we may find ourselves wondering when all this turmoil and stress will change direction and get better. In all of this I urge you to hold on to your faith - even if it is as small as a mustard seed, because in Christ we are drawn into a life of extraordinary transformation where all things are possible. The ability to imagine a love that is up to this task of transformation is not easy - but what if we suspend disbelief and, just for a moment, believe that this is true. Have faith, because love conquers the world. Lyn Hayes ALM
Daily Scripture1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble; 2 therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, and though the mountains tremble in the heart of the sea.5 God is in the midst of her; therefore shall she not be removed; God shall help her at the break of day. 10 ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.’ (Psalm 46:1,2,5&10)Daily ReflectionRight now, you may be feeling like the Psalmist did: that the earth is moving and the mountains are trembling – that is, the very foundations of your life seem to be shaken; that things are feeling very unsettled in your life because of the uncertainties and impact of the pandemic upon it. But the Psalmist also points to what is still certain in your life: God is your refuge; God is your strength; God is present; God is your help; God is still here.Amidst all the uncertainties, all the doubts, all the worries caused by: Covid; the NHS at breaking point; Brexit; the Presidential transfer in the US; and democracy seemingly under treat, hold on to this one powerful verse: “Be still, and know that I am God.” Turn to Him, today. Revd David
Daily Scripture:‘We know that we have passed from death to life because we love one another. Whoever does not love abides in death.’ (I John 3.14)Daily Reflection:Today’s grim news underlines the fragility of our lives. Jesus spoke about eternal life. St John tells followers of Jesus that this life starts now, before our physical death. When St John wrote ‘we have passed from death to life’ he was not speaking about recovering from illness, or about life after death. He was stretching language to try to explain the difference between living without love and living in love. Not ‘being in love’ but living in love. Of the many varieties of love, this is the love which shares unconditionally with others, beyond lovers, family and friends. Without this sort of love - the love of Christ - is to be like the living dead. He goes on to urge Christians to live out that sort of love.David Harmsworth
The Prime Minister made an announcement on the 4<sup>th</sup> January regarding England going into lockdown until at least mid-February but, surprisingly, places of worship being able to stay open for public worship as well as individual private prayer. I have been in discussion with the Churchwardens of both parishes about this, and we - regrettably - have significant reservations about remaining open for public worship with the new, virulent strain of the Covid virus; these are as follows: - The majority of our congregations are in a vulnerable category either through age or because of other underlying health conditions - We are close to receiving the vaccine (probably over the course of the next 2-3 months) - We have a duty of care for our congregations, for those "on duty" at services, for our parishioners, for our families and for ourselves - The Ministry Leadership Team have reservations, for personal reasons, about their availability to lead/preach at live services; we therefore have a much depleted team to call upon - We feel it is more sensible to reduce the risks for everyone by having on-line services rather than live public worship. These reservations have been put to the two Standing Committees who have agreed, with heavy hearts, that with immediate effect we suspend public worship in the three churches in the benefice until the lockdown it ended. (We will review this mid-February; with the possibility of commencing public worship again from the end of February.) Bishop Rose and Archdeacon Andrew have been informed of this decision. However: - We will record a service and make it available, on-line, every Sunday morning (and reintroduce the time of fellowship, with coffee, on Zoom after the service) - The parish churches remain open for individual private prayer seven days a week - St. George's church will be heated for two one-hour periods every day (10-11am and 2-3pm) so that the church is more comfortable if people wish to make use of the space for private prayer. Revd Ylva and I will diary some of our time to be at St. George's Church and at the Mission Church if you wish to meet and talk As this situation is going on far longer than any of us had imaged: - We will look at arranging a form of on-line, weekly Bible Study; a sort of “on-line Home Group”. This will be available, on Zoom, to anyone who wishes to join in for Christian fellowship in this way. Watch this space! - We will also review and update the on-line resources that are available on the church websites. I know this will be of considerable disappointment to some. We are not taking this action lightly. Please remember that there will also be others who hold passionately to the view, “It’s about time services in church stopped!” The virus is serious; the country is in lockdown to try and break the spread of the virus. We need, as the local church, to be part of helping with that break so that – along with the vaccine – we can all get back to a more normal life sooner rather than later. Please continue to look after yourself. If you want to talk, please pick up the phone and call. God bless. Revd David
