It was last week, on one of those cold and frosty early mornings, whilst walking the dog (on my own) alongside Papercourt Lake just behind my house, that I noticed how calm and still everything was, especially the water. It reminded me of Psalm 23 where David says of the Lord, ‘He leads me beside still waters’. And in case we missed the point he repeats the phrase in the next verse, ‘He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake’. What struck me, like never before, is that ‘He leads me’. God isn’t behind me yelling, ‘Go!’ He is ahead of me, bidding ‘Come!’ He is in front, clearing the path and showing the way. Just before the curve, he says, ‘Turn here.’ Prior to the rise, he motions, ‘Step up here.’ Standing next to the rocks, he warns, ‘Watch your step here.’ He leads us. He tells us what we need to know when we need to know it. As a New Testament writer would later affirm: ‘Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need’ (Heb 4:16).We are currently walking though uncharted territory. The terrain is rough, unlevel and hard to negotiate and the destination is unclear. Certainly, new opportunities have opened up to us, and yet we recognise that people are experiencing a whole range of emotions as we self-isolate. What a relief and comfort therefore to be reminded of these words from David’s Psalm. God’s help is timely. God leads us. God will do the right thing at the right time. And what a difference that makes.Every blessing,Archdeacon Martin
These are difficult, worrying times for us all. We are living in an unprecedented era of medical emergency so it’s completely understandable for people to be anxious, troubled, lonely and perhaps depressed.The Dunsfold Church Community is here to help you. Jesus taught us “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me.”Inviting people in may be off our agenda in the current coronavirus crisis but the sentiments remain absolutely correct. And as Jesus promised: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”Revd Ian Maslin is now living in the Rectory, Church Green, Dunsfold. We are setting up a network of support workers to help the people of Dunsfold in any way we can. That may be in running errands, helping with shopping and other practical tasks. Or, and this has already become evident, it may be in making regular contact through telephone calls and emails to people who are feeling lonely.If you want our help please do not hesitate to call the people whose numbers are listed below. As a community we can come together. If you are in isolation, or feeling isolated, you are not alone. We are here to help. Likewise, if you’d like to join our band of volunteers you can sign up by calling us.Finally, let us share in our prayers part of a very relevant collect for Lent. “Give us grace to endure the sufferings of this present time with sure confidence in the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen”Reverend Ian Maslin 200048 reviandunsfoldandhascombe@gmail.comSheila Jones Churchwarden 200204 sheilajones4@btinternet.comDavid Walker Churchwarden 201140 davidwalker2020@hotmail.co.uk
The Church continues to be alive and active - and more creative than ever - but our buildings must close in the Diocese of GuildfordHere in the diocese, we have already suspended public worship and are rapidly having to find new ways of living, worshipping and serving our communities.Following the announcement by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson of sweeping restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the virus, the Archbishops and Bishops of the Church of England have urged everyone to follow the instructions given by the Prime Minister to stay in their homes in a national effort to limit the transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19).It means all Church of England churches will close with immediate effect in line with the Government’s instructions. There will also be no weddings or baptisms in churches, regardless of the number attending. Funerals at the graveside or in crematoriums can still take place, but only in line with the Prime minister’s Statement.All this is in the recognition that - should our attempts to distance ourselves physically from one another be ineffective - more people will die.In the light of this, the time has come for us in Guildford - in common with every English diocese - to close our church buildings entirely, given how important physical distancing is in saving lives. This includes all associated rooms, facilities, parish offices and halls. So as to counter any message that the church is simply giving up shop, we are also asking you to put up notices wherever you can fix them (e.g. on doors, noticeboards, websites and other social media channels) explaining ways in which people can continue to join with the church in worship and prayer remotely and without gathering, providing an emergency contact telephone number where you can.The doors of our churches should now be closed, even for private prayers. Celebration of the Eucharist by Parish clergy should be conducted in their homes rather than the church. Further guidance is expected today and we will share what is available at our 4pm brief. Our most profound desire remains to stand alongside our neighbours with the faith, hope and love that Jesus inspires within us, using every tool available from the humblest pen and paper to the cleverest of technological gizmos. We may well feel a sense of profound loss in all this, maybe appreciating the wonder of our normal church life all the more now that it's been temporarily taken from us. We may be discouraged, frightened or worried. But given all we're coming to understand about COVID-19, and in the light of our God-given commitment to love our neighbour (and especially our most vulnerable neighbour) there is really no other option. Although our buildings will be closed, the Church continues to be alive and active, and I for one have been massively impressed by the ways in which clergy and laity alike have adapted to such extraordinary changes, and at such a speedy rate. Please continue to commend tools for worship, bible study and devotion at home; please continue to live-stream as you are able (but please do this from your homes and not in the church, whilst also avoiding the need for more than 2 to gather - we'd recommend filming pieces separately and then editing them together) or find more traditional ways to teach, encourage and pastor all God's people; please check out the latest news and resources on our diocesan website; and please continue to pray for one another, and for us - as we do for you. Every Blessing,+Andrew
Church leaders in Britain and Ireland have urged Christians to support a National Day of Prayer and Action about the coronavirus on Sunday, March 22.People are asked to light a candle in their window at 7pm on Sunday “as a visible symbol of the light of life, Jesus Christ.”As well as calling for prayer for the Government and those working to contain the virus such as doctors, nurses, health workers and those who care for the aged and most vulnerable, the call to arms includes actions Christians can take.“Alongside your prayers, take the opportunity to telephone or email someone who is isolated, but some additional food for your local food bank or offer to deliver shopping to an elderly neighbour.”
