<font color="#000000" data-keep-original-tag="false" data-original-attrs="{"style":""}">Loving Father God,</font><font color="#000000" data-keep-original-tag="false" data-original-attrs="{"style":""}"> <font data-keep-original-tag="false">be with us in our distress;</font> <font data-keep-original-tag="false">be with our families, friends, and neighbours,</font> <font data-keep-original-tag="false">our country and our world.</font></font><font color="#000000" data-keep-original-tag="false" data-original-attrs="{"style":""}"><font data-keep-original-tag="false"> </font> <font data-keep-original-tag="false">Give health to the sick,</font> <font data-keep-original-tag="false">hope to the fearful,</font> <font data-keep-original-tag="false">and comfort to mourners.</font></font><font color="#000000" data-keep-original-tag="false" data-original-attrs="{"style":""}"><font data-keep-original-tag="false"> </font> <font data-keep-original-tag="false">Give wisdom to our frontline and key workers,</font> <font data-keep-original-tag="false">insight to our Government,</font> <font data-keep-original-tag="false">and patience to us all.</font> <font data-keep-original-tag="false"> </font></font><font color="#000000" data-keep-original-tag="false" data-original-attrs="{"style":""}"><font data-keep-original-tag="false">Overcome disease with the power of your new life,</font> <font data-keep-original-tag="false">through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.</font> <font data-keep-original-tag="false">Amen.</font></font>
I find that it’s difficult to know where we are this year. Most of the common markers are missing – Halloween, Bonfire night, Remembrance Day services are all less visible. And yet the celebration of Christmas will surely be on us very soon. The various craft groups have been working away during lockdown, and we are delighted to give some pages to them to display their wares that are for sale now. Why not take a look? But don’t take too long to decide because stocks are limited…Revd. Hannah Suekarran writes about the passing of the seasons this month in the Dear Friends piece, and Tony Service returns to update everyone on matters in the Methodist circuit.Revd. Pete gives thanks for the work of Claire Nutt who has passed on the baton of St Wilfrid’s churchwarden to Pat Jarvis. Mike Bunn also supplied a poem about the seasons which I’m delighted to include. Finally I have extracted some of Tony William’s images of Fayres at St Francis from years gone by.
Dear FriendThe beginning of November is traditionally a time when the Church across the world gives thanks for the Christian Saints and all who have died.Under normal circumstances we would be organising a Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving for All Saints Day this year, Sunday 1st November at 3pm. At this service we would normally remember by name all those whose funerals have been held at St. Wilfrid’s, Brayton or at St.Francis, Thorpe Willoughby from September 2019 until August this year, as well as those whose funeral services have been conducted at a crematorium or cemetery during this period.It is also an opportunity to remember any loved ones who have died, whether connected to the parish or not.Sadly, the current Covid related restrictions in place mean the service this year is not possible. However, St Wilfrid’s Church will be open from 2-4pm on 1st November, and you would be most welcome to come and use the space for a time of quiet reflection and prayer, if you want to. There will also be the opportunity to light a candle in loving memory of any loved ones who have died. Our prayer would be that you would find comfort and strength in this commemoration.May you know God’s blessing and peace.Yours very warmlyRev Pete WatsonNote: Movement around, and seating in, the church building will be subject to the usual social distancing measures, though individual households and support bubbles will be permitted to sit together.
