Dear Friends,As you will probably know, the government have chosen not to suspend public worship in England in the regulations currently in force. The Church of England allows for local decision making based on a revised risk assessment about whether it is wise to continue to offer worship in church. In conversation with the Church wardens and PCC and following a new risk assessment we think it is possible to keep the 11am Holy Communion service on a Sunday morning at Lynton available to those who feel they are able to come.The 11am Holy Communion at St Mary’s Lynton will be offered for the foreseeable future.Clearly, if circumstances change this will be under review.The condition of communal worship continuing is that households do not mingle while attending worship. If you choose to come to church please honour this fully. Please go straight to where you are sitting on arrival and at the end of the service a steward will guide you as to when to leave so that there is an even flow and less temptation to stop and chat.We know this is really hard – but we need to be especially careful if we are to continue to offer the opportunity to be worshipping in person.As has become the norm: face coverings need to be worn whilst in church and please make full use of the hand-sanitiser at the door and prior to receiving the bread at communion. Please maintain 2m of physical distance from anyone not in your household or support bubble at all times.This is how we love God and our neighbour in church at this time.I also totally understand that for many people it is right not to attend services at the moment, and just as each church does a risk assessment to decide whether to open, I think it is wise for each of us to weigh up for ourselves what is wise in our current circumstances. It is really good to know that the vaccines are on the way, and for some, waiting for that additional protection may be wise before returning to church or resuming worship again. You know what is best for you – and God knows that too! I will continue to send out the "you tube" video and sermon for those at home (today it may come out later than I had hoped but it will come!).It may help to know what Bishop Sarah has said as a formal response from the Church of England. I have also added links if you want fuller information about the current guidelines.God bless and guide you as you work out what is best for your health and life of faith right now,SamanthaFrom Bishop Sarah’s statement (she chairs the Church of England’s response group):The Government has chosen not to suspend public worship in England at this time and we will continue to follow the guidance and ensure that churches remain as safe as possible. The Government guidance on the safe use of places of worship makes clear that those attending a place of worship must not mingle with anyone outside their household or support bubble.“However, some may feel that it is currently better not to attend in person, and there will be parishes which decide to offer only digital services for the time-being. Clergy who have concerns, and others who are shielding, should take particular care and stay at home.(full statement: https://www.churchofengland.org/news-and-media/news-and-statements/response-bishop-london-new-covid-19-restrictions )Church of England guidance: https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-churches <div> The Reverend Samantha Stayte</div><div>The Lyn Valley Mission Community</div>
Dear Friends,I hope that however you spent Christmas Day you have glimpsed something of the love that is at the heart of the Christmas message.We will have a Morning Worship Service at Parracombe tomorrow at 9.30 (27/13/20) but there will not be a service at St Mary's Lynton. The next Eucharist there will be at 11am, 3rd January. Next Sunday Marilyn will be providing the Youtube service again too. I am planning to take a week of post-Christmas annual leave from this coming Tuesday. In this quiet time after the celebartion of Christmas Day, there is, perhaps a chance to enter more deeply into the mystery that God chooses to meet us in the birth of a child; that the love of God comes to us in person. I hope you can find time for the things that give you a sense of life and love, and help you to know God is with us as we tentatively enter the New Year which already holds out the prospect of change and the need to continue to take one day at a time! My prayers for health and peace for all in the coming year. The retreat centre I usually visit has produced a series of reflections to help us look at how God's love is reflected in our lives through Christ-mas tide and in daily life, you might like to take a look:https://www.pathwaystogod.org/my-prayer-life/sunday/christmastide-year-b2020God bless, Samantha
Dear Friends,Happy Christmas!And my prayers that however you are spending the day, God will bless you with the peace, comfort and joy that the coming of Jesus offers our world. Many thanks for all you lovely greetings and cards and gifts - I value your support, encouragement so much. And please join me in giving thanks for all who have enabled serviecs to happen this Christmas and all who have are keeping the faith with prayer at home. May we shine as lights of the one great Light, wherever we are today.To note: On Sunday 27th December there will be a service of Morning Worship at Christchurch Parracombe, but no service at St Mary's Lynton that morning. The next 11am Eucharist at St Mary's will be on 3rd January.God blessSamantha
Dear Friends,Wishing you a Holy and Happy Christmas-tide!In the midst of a tumultuous time, we have reached the days when we are offered a star in the night sky, the glory of angel song, and the wonder of our God coming to us as a child.I pray that you will find in the mystery of Christmas the particular peace and joy that you need and God wants to share with you this year.For anyone who is not able to get to church there is plenty available to watch at home. BBC television and radio have services through the afternoon and evening, and into tomorrow. The Church of England website has details of a Midnight service at which the Archbishop of Canterbury will preach streamed on various platforms.I will send both this reflection and a later one for Christmas Day. As in church the prayers are the same in each but the readings and my reflection are different.I hope to send some images of the crib in St Mary’s too. The church will be open for prayer through this afternoon (2-4pm) and I will carry in my prayers there all who are unable to be in church this year, praying that you will know the truth of the Incarnation – that God is with us - in a very special way this year. Be assured, God is with us in the everyday places we find ourselves, in the love we feel for those we care about, in the communion in prayer that we share with all Christians worshipping around the world this night, and tomorrow, God blessSamantha
