Do you like cake?! Can you help? a) could you make something scrummy to serve on Sunday at Fellside Flowers Open Day to raise much needed funds for Long Marton church? Please msg me or ring 07711 245820 and we’ll pop you on the list Or b) if you don’t bake, you are warmly invited to come along and eat cake (and enjoy the flowers!)
1. Many of our churches are returning to normal opening patterns with easier public access – check noticeboards or enquire of churchwardens, locally.2. Risk assessments are being updated for each church. Basic care remains unchanged in each church building – ventilation is essential, hand sanitiser available at the door, QR Code Posters in the porch or entrance (for use with Covid App on mobile phones), notices raising awareness of risks and local requests to take care, including, potentially, a request to continue to wear face masks in church buildings especially where the church is close to capacity.3. It is vital that we take extra care of each other, especially more cautious neighbours. Show respect for differences (some remain cautious, while with double vaccinations others feel much more confident). Take time to appreciate different perspectives, and if we are in a position of responsibility in a church or other community organisation, we should consult extensively, rather than assuming everyone shares our point of view.4. All of us need to take personal responsibility not to attend services or events in church if we have symptoms, or have been notified that we need to self-isolate.5. The bigger the event in church, the more likely that everyone will agree that wearing masks is advisable. A smaller, socially distanced, gathering, will reduce risks, but same may still wish to wear masks. It will be quite normal for those welcoming or serving refreshments to wear face masks – respecting your health and safety.6. In smaller events and services, social distancing is still recommended, but where more people are present then all other measures need special care and attention.7. Weddings, some baptisms and funerals carry higher risk when attendance is known to exceed 50% of a building’s capacity, and arrangements will be discussed with key parties for each event, as guidance will vary from church to church. But we plan to make these events as significant and special as they possibly can be. We are in transition, we all hope, towards more normal patterns and practices this Autumn.8. In any church service, you will find that congregational singing is now possible (whether with masks, or in some cases without). Music selection may need to reflect the character of the service, and it is entirely possible and enjoyable to sing more loudly outside, after a service!9. Our practice, for the time being (for August, at least), to bring clarity for visiting clergy, will remain one of ‘bread/wafer only’ in services of Holy Communion, unless specific arrangements are requested by a particular church, to include shared wine in a risk-reduced manner – this will always be explained by clergy taking a service, respecting the needs of all present.10. Clergy, like myself, will be taking lateral flow tests more frequently (even daily, for myself, ) during this busy season with services, weddings, baptisms, funerals and of course the Appleby Horse Fair.
Through Lent many of us have been considering the refreshed vision, across a wide range of churches, for Cumbria. It is summed up in the logo, and is now featured on the God for All website. Tread Gently refers to our care of creation and many churches are already completing audits to see what more they can do to be recognised as Eco Churches. What has become clearer to me is that during the next few months of transition beyond the third Lockdown, we have opportunities, especially to Care Deeply – for the mental health and wellbeing of all in our area, by going deeper to understand how healing is possible in the twentieth first century, and giving special attention to those who have suffered most – the isolated, the elderly, those in caring professions, and of course children and families. The freedoms which become possible with the vaccination programme are balanced by the responsibility we all share in adhering to the guidelines as they shift over the next ten weeks.Our Anglican churches will be reviewing their risk assessments, with many reopening from 18 April, but others wishing to take a little longer. Details will be found elsewhere, including on these A Church Near You pages.Many churches are grappling with loss of income from various streams, so we hope that both members and communities will be especially supportive in the remaining months of 2021.It is hard to come to terms with the huge amount of suffering for so many individuals and families through this past twelve months, but I hope all of us can rally and respond deeply, and gently, for our next steps. Much is uncertain, anxieties may take time to be allayed, but I am seeing some small signs that we are up for the challenge, if we stick together.It is Good Friday, today, and Easter is coming this weekend. As I have been sharing with some local schools the transition made by a caterpillar, to a chrysalis, to a beautiful butterfly, is a very good way of considering the journey Jesus makes – from life, to the tomb, to resurrection – and Rev Peter Boyles and myself are visiting each of our churches and communities on Easter Day, praying for everyone, blessing each place we visit, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. as an Easter Pilgrimage.
