As you will be aware, new government legislation means that our churches are closed to services of worship, with a few exceptions, between 5th November and 2nd December 2020.It would be possible to hold a funeral and open for individuals to pray, subject to adequate risk assessments being in place.This comes at a time when we would be holding Remembrance Services, and while open air acts of remembrance may be going ahead in your area, we have decided to support with a shared Service of Remembrance on YouTube, you will find this on the Heart of Westmorland Mission Community page.As churches reopen on specific days for private prayer, please check back back for details, or call me.Revd Clive HicksRectorHeart of Eden BeneficeTel 017683 62436
Two months ago we were declaring our intention to re-open churches across the Eden Valley, and ten of our churches will have opened for services by early October. In July we opened for four services, but by October it will be 27. This is good news, and we are also happy to see some weddings and baptisms/christenings taking place in a number of churches.Wherever you look there are both positive, hopeful, signs, but also challenging evidence that we must still remain vigilant and careful about health protection."Following indications that the number of people permitted to take part in a social gathering is to be reduced from 30 to six in England, we understand the new regulations will not apply to public worship or individual prayer in church buildings." Issued by Church of England at 10.42am on 9th September 2020.It has been good to start to hear about fresh initiatives and ideas for community development in our area these past few weeks, and we hope that Christians and those of faith and no faith locally can share a desire to help others, and especially those who are anxious and struggling as a result of Covid-19.We hope to share further updates on these pages about new initiatives, and also continue to support communcations like the Heart of Eden Magazine and Asby Matters. Thank you to everyone who is contributing to care in our communities.As ever, I welcome your suggestions and thoughts, and have started to make more face-to-face pastoral visits where this is possible.Revd Clive HicksRector, Heart of Eden Benefice
You may well have heard that churches and other places of worship have been permitted to hold acts of worship from 4 July.Each of our churches in the Heart of Eden Benefice is considering how to do this safely, preparing risk assessments, so that when the churches open for services any attending will feel confident that their health is being taken seriously. Of course, other churches in the Eden Valley will have different patterns of opening.We really do look forward to opening our doors again. But hygiene and health protection will be at the forefront in our planning. We are interested in the possibility that volunteers from each community might make this more possible - do let me know if you, or your organisation, would be willing to assist. Many people in our congregations are themselves vulnerable, so understandably cautious in doing what would normally be much more straightforward.Where risk assessments are in place we can now hold funeral and wedding services, but numbers are restricted depending on the size/layout of the building. Guidance from the government is being reviewed and updated each month, so there may be further changes during July and August.A few of our churches plan to open for short periods for individual prayer, and you can see details listed in the calendar section via the Services and Events tab in the adjacent column. Details of services, which may begin on 19th July, will appear via the same tab.The Get In Touch section gives a phone number and email address offering advice on baptisms, funerals and weddings. You will also find other information from the churches and Benefice on these pages - they are updated each month. We'd welcome your enquiries about anything that is of concern to you.Revd Clive Hicks11 July 2020
