Next Sunday, 16th August, we shall remember VJ Day and give thanks for the victory that brought the Second World War to an end. We recall the courage, fortitude and teamwork that enabled us to triumph over the enemy. We remember those who lost their lives in the service of freedom ,peace and justice. We shall have an Act of Remembrance and Dedication at all our services and Nick Toosey, whose father served in the Far East and then went on to help set up the Far Eastern Prisoners of War Association, will speak at the 11.00 am Parish Communion Service at St Oswald’s.Services on the 16th August will be:9.30 am Parish Communion at St John’s with Act of Remembrance and Dedication11.00 am Parish Communion at Holy Trinity with Act of Remembrance and Dedication. Please let Val and Colin know that you are intending to be in church.11.00 am Parish Communion at St Oswald’s with Act of Remembrance and Dedication6.30 pm Evening Prayer with a time of Reflection and Act of Remembrance and Dedication at the close of the day.
We are delighted to say that we will be able to open St John’s for worship at 9.30 am on the 2nd August.Until then, you are very welcome to join us at St Oswald's in Malpas which will be open for<span style="font-size: 1rem;"> a Communion Service at 11.00 am - sadly no hymns but there will be organ music. The service will last about 40 mins and we can accommodate around 40 people socially distancing.</span>In addition, there will be Evening Prayer at 6.30 pm, again, with organ music and a 10.00 am Holy Communion Service on Wednesdays.We believe that we can worship together again but in a new way now - please see the attached guidance document for information on how the services will be conducted.
Sadly, all churches are closed for services due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Some churches are able to open for private prayer - sadly we are unable to do this at St John's at the present time, but you are welcome to visit St Oswald's in neighbouring Malpas, which will be open from 10.00 am till 2.00 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and also on Sunday afternoons from 2.00 pm till 4.00 pm. Everyone is very welcome to go along to enjoy the peace and quiet and to pray. Hand sanitiser will be provided and there is a notice on the door with guidance for your visit. We ask that you please do not visit if you have any symptoms of COVID-19.We hope that we will soon be able to re-open St John's, but in the mean time, please visit our website http://www.malpaschurch.co.uk/ or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/churchinmalpas/ where you will find links to our Sunday services which you can follow on YouTube. You will also find the texts to help you follow the services.These are very difficult times for us all and my prayer is that as we look to God, our strength and refuge, we find help, comfort and confidence to cope with all that is happening around us and face the future.May God bless us allIan, Rector.
