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Dear Friends,
My very best wishes to you and those dearest to you for the New Year, may it be healthy, content, peaceful and blessed. I hope this finds you well and having had the best Christmas that the circumstances allowed, as always staying safe and taking care of yourselves and those around you.
UPDATE
I'm sure you scarcely require me to remind you of our current situation, having just looked at the daily figures for today these are an enormous cause for concern (I don't think dire is too strong a word). Equally you will know that we are now in Tier 3 (very high alert). Whilst this does not make any difference to our Sunday worship it could not be plainer that we must rigorously maintain the imperative of adhering to our procedures to ensure we keep our churches as safe as possible for one another.
Bishop Michael wrote just a short while ago as I type (it does take me ages to put this together which is not a bid for appreciation more a plea for sympathy at my plight apropos typing and IT!). As always +Michael says all we need to know. Helpfully he has also included my now customary links to both our Diocesan and the national Church websites for up to date guidance. (My highlights.)
We are writing as we enter this new year to update you on guidance for our churches in light of the worsening situation of the pandemic. In our own region, this has resulted in the eastern part of the diocese being placed under Tier 4 restrictions, while the western part is now in Tier 3. In both tiers, public worship remains permitted, subject to the maintenance of COVID-
It is heartening to know that many of our churches are confident that they are able to maintain regular public worship under these challenging conditions, and that many of our people remain confident about attending services. We encourage those of you who feel able to do so to continue welcoming worshippers, while recognising that some may feel unable to come just now.
** Do note that before during and after worship 'you must not mingle with anyone outside of your household or support bubble.' -
So whilst we are in a very high alert state as long as we are able to keep to the necessary regulations worship will continue, for this Sunday this means:
TRACK & TRACE QR CODES
Just a reminder that when joining in Sun worship, if you have a mobile phone with the Track and Trace app on it to have this ready for when you walk into church -
SUNDAY 3rd JAN -
Wem:
08:00 -
09:45 -
Weston:
09:30 -
Lee:
11:15 -
I have two hopes; that as many as feel able are do join to celebrate this great Feast in our Church Year, yet equally that nobody feels under any pressure to attend but rather realises how positive it can be to keep safe for now awaiting a time to confidently return. The day will come when we recongregate across the Benefice as one, until then let us all know that we are still united in Faith, Hope and Love as we begin our journey through 2021.
SOME SERVICES AVAILABLE VIA DIFFERENT MEDIA
08:00 -
10:30 -
OR
Access the C of E website to find details of this week's service which you can also watch during the week, it is available from 09:00. Do visit the site, there are some super services saved on here, not least those for Christmas and a service with the Archbishop of York for New Year's Eve
09:00 -
THIS SUNDAY on the BBC
Radio Four
08:10 -
BBC One:
10:00 -
13:15 -
Katherine Jenkins explores St Paul's Cathedral with music including hymns sung by the Cathedral Choir and special guest performances.
Please find attached the readings, Live the Word and homilies for Sunday 3 Jan. My thanks again to Mike F for unravelling these from the monthly bulk email! (courtesy of Redemptorist publications) Also find attached our Local Prayer Diary and the Diocesan Prayer Diary.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
'We spend January 1st walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives...not looking for flaws, but for potential.' Ellen Goodman
Please have the best start to the New Year you possibly can. Remain vigilant and take care.
Nick
N P Heron
Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-
01939 232550
POSTPONEMENT OF PUBLIC WORSHIP IN OUR CHURCH
Dear Friends,
As you know public worship is still permitted during the present 'lockdown'. However, we trust you will not be surprised and fully understand that due to the current local rate of infection myself, the PCC and Church Wardens have decided to postpone Sunday Worship in Wem Parish Church, once the local rate is less concerning we will resume worship and inform as many as possible as soon as possible. We have, too clearly, not made this decision lightly, it is borne simply out of a passion to care for and responsibly keep each other as safe as possible.
The PCC Standing Committee will review this on a very regular basis.
Do please use the options available in our regular bulk email to stay connected with our faith and be assured that when we do so we are still united and as one.
Take care and stay safe,
Nick
N P Heron
Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-
01939 232550
-
Dear Friends,
My warmest best wishes at the end of this variously cold and damp week, one in which we have quite predictably entered another phase of 'lockdown'. Do please take every step you can to stay safe, importantly keeping those around you safe too.
At the beginning of last week's email I detailed that Public Worship was still permitted, that remains the case nationwide irrespective of 'lockdown', however being able to do something is not the same as having to, which just at the moment we do not have to, or simply carrying on. It was with immensely heavy hearts, yet very clear eyes, that conversations various with church wardens, myself and PCC members led as you know to temporarily not holding public worship in Lee and Wem this coming Sun and next Sun -
UPDATE
Full details on the impact on the Church of 'lockdown 3' may be found at: Church of England website In brief, as said above, worship in church may continue subject to all the now rightly expected safety measures, and the, legal, specific not to mingle with anyone outside your household or support bubble. Funerals of no more than 30 attenders are still possible, weddings may only be held in 'exceptional circumstances' and baptisms only in communal worship. Latest updates on guidance are also on our diocesan website.
On Tuesday Bishop Michael wrote:
"Across the diocese, public worship remains permitted in our churches, subject to the maintenance of COVID-
Some of our churches will wish to maintain regular public worship under these challenging conditions, and we will be supportive of those of you who continue to welcome worshippers, while recognising that some may feel unable to come now. If you decide to keep churches open:
· Please update your risk assessment as above.
· Please remind worshippers to arrive quietly, without unnecessary conversation, and to disperse quickly after services, without remaining to mingle with one another.
We fully understand that some of you will now feel that in-
He concluded with these encouraging words
"Thank you for all that you are doing to sustain the life and worship of our churches, to work with others in caring for those most in need, to pray for our schools, hospitals and communities, and to point people towards the signs of hope which God’s life and light give us in these difficult times. Please remember your bishops in your prayers, as we do you."
THIS SUNDAY (The Baptism of Christ) ON-
Bishop Michael is as good as his words above, for this week we have a splendid sermon, a gift from him, on the theme and readings for this Sun. You can read it here and view it via uTube here. If you take no other action from this message do please open or read this splendid sermon. As we are each in our own homes it is so good and appropriate to be linked with our wider Church and to raise our perspectives from what with the best will in the world can become a little limiting otherwise.
08:00 The Eucharist (traditional language)
10:30 Choral Eucharist for The Feast of The Baptism of Christ
17:30 Evensong
OR
Access the C of E website to find details of this week's service which you can also watch during the week, it is available from 0900. Do visit the site, there are some super services saved on here, not least those for Christmas and a service with the Archbishop of York for New Year's Eve.
09:00 Worship at Home for Plough Sunday.
Discover the celebration of Plough Sunday in this online service. Led by the Rev Lindsay Yates, the service comes from Octagon Parish with a sermon from The Rev Will Adam.
THIS SUNDAY on the BBC
Radio Four: 08:10 -
BBC One: 12:25 -
Please find attached the readings and Live the Word for Sunday 10 Jan. Also find attached our Local Prayer Diary and the Diocesan Prayer Diary.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Some absolutely inspirational words to carry us through this week -
"We are not people of fear: we are people of courage. We are not people who protect our own safety: we are people who protect our neighbours’ safety. We are not people of greed: we are people of generosity. We are your people God, giving and loving, wherever we are, whatever it costs for as long as it takes wherever you call us." Barbara Glasson, President of the Methodist Conference
Look after yourselves and one another, take care and stay safe,
Nick
N P Heron
Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-
01939 232550
-
Dear Friends,
My continued warmest and very best wishes to all, please keep doing all that you are and can do to keep yourselves and one another safe. In the midst of such a dire emergency (I don't think that is too dramatic a phrase) we can become impacted upon and concerned, this we surely should be as we look around and read and listen to the news. However, that is not the same as being personally nervous, anxious and fretting so please do follow the now so familiar guidance at every turn knowing this ought to keep you safe, out of harms way and protect those around you too. Keep taking care.
UPDATE
It will come as no surprise to any that the local rate of infection is such that we have voluntarily suspended worship across the Benefice, at least for the next two Sun (17th and 24th Jan). Each parish will, rightly, judge if or when it wishes to resume and rest assured we will keep matters under constant review. In the light of the pandemic Bishop Michael has given a dispensation from canonical requirements for worship in any benefice.
Full details on the impact on the Church of 'lockdown 3' may be found at: Church of England website Latest updates on guidance are also on our diocesan website.
To reiterate church funerals, subject to the now familiar and necessary restrictions, will quite rightly continue.
THIS SUNDAY (The 2nd Sunday of Epiphany) ON-
Sermon from the Bishop of Shrewsbury
Following Bishop Michael's sermon for The Baptism of Christ this Sun we have another episcopal gift, this time a sermon for Epiphany Two from our Area Bishop, Bishop Sarah. You may have inadvertently opened this last week if you were quick to the draw on opening my last bulk email! Trusting that I have clicked on the correct link this week it may be found at:https://youtu.be/8DCFJXfKqs8
For those not a part of St Luke's congregation, who the Bishop visited for their patronal festival last Oct, this may be the first opportunity to listen to and see +Sarah -
08:00 -
10:30 -
17:30 -
OR
Access the C of E website to find details of this week's service which you can also watch during the week, it is available from 09:00. Do visit the site, there are many excellent services saved on here which can still merit a 'watch'.
09:00 -
THIS SUNDAY on the BBC
Radio Four: 08:10 -
BBC One: 13:15 -
Please find attached the readings, homily and Live the Word for Sunday 10 Jan. Also find attached our Local Prayer Diary and the Diocesan Prayer Diary.
The Eucharist will be celebrated on behalf of the whole Benefice at 10:30 on Sun 17th (in SS P&P's Wem).
PARISH MAGAZINE
After our last two month edition it is once again time to encourage all to think of submitting an article, poem, news, reflection or similar input for our Feb parish magazine (perhaps for the first time, why not?). During the first Lockdown and through to the autumn our magazine positively flourished with several successive editions exceeding the previous one for both the variety and number of inputs. These were greatly appreciated by many so wouldn't it be brilliant if we could build on this past momentum and show we can still share with one another even in these difficult times? Please pass any to myself or Pam Clarke in the near future -
WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
This week is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Please hold especially in your prayers this week our brothers and sisters in the other great traditions of our worldwide faith, their congregations in Wem and around our area and the work of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI). CTBI works not only for a growth in unity between fellow Christians but also tirelessly for peace and reconciliation, for social justice and engages with climate crisis and works practically against poverty and oppression across God's world.
Two prayers which you may care to say throughout the week:
Holy Spirit, vivifying fire and gentle breath,
come and abide in us.
Renew in us the passion for unity
so that we may live in awareness
of the bond that unites us in you.
May all who have put on Christ at their Baptism
unite and bear witness together
to the hope that sustains them
Heavenly Father, you have called us
in the Body of your Son
to continue his work of reconciliation
and reveal you to all humanity.
forgive us that which tears us apart;
and give us the courage to overcome our fears
and the seek the unity
which is your gift and your will;
though Jesus Christ our Lord.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
"Do all the good you can by all the means you can in all the places you can at all the times you can to all the people you can as long as ever you can." John Wesley.
True and wonderful words, though sometimes we may modestly ask ourselves how that can apply to us in our ordinary lives -
Look after yourselves and one another, take care and stay safe,
Nick
N P Heron
Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-
01939 232550
-
Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you well and keeping safe at the end of quite some week. A momentous week on the international stage and one with the saddest of national backdrops with a dreadful, tragic rate of covid fatalities -
Did you notice that on the day of his inauguration the first public act of the soon to be new President was to attend Mass, in The Cathedral of St Matthew the Apostle, joined by the top four republican and democratic leaders from Congress? Surely a sign of hope, especially from our shared Christian perspective?
UPDATE
Our voluntary suspension of Public Worship remains across the Benefice, the current local rates of infection being as they are this still seems the wisest option. Quite appropriately each parish will judge when it wishes to resume and rest assured we will keep matters under constant review. In the light of the pandemic Bishop Michael has given a dispensation from canonical requirements for worship in any benefice.
Full details on the impact on the Church of 'lockdown 3' may be found on the Church of England website There is some recent material on what may be possible apropos liturgical practice for Lent Holy Week and Easter. Latest updates on guidance are also on our diocesan website.
Church funerals, subject to the now familiar and necessary restrictions, will quite rightly continue.
For reasons of potential viral transmission and attendant cleaning our benefice churches will remain closed, however, I have no doubt access can be arranged for any in each church who may wish to go in on a special occasion or similar for private prayer.
THIS SUNDAY (The Third Sunday of Epiphany) ON-
Sermon from Bishop Michael:
Our diocesan bishop has again blessed us with a sermon for this Sunday. If you hadn't worked it out, our bishops from across Lichfield have provided on-
08:00 -
10:30 -
17:30 -
OR
Access the C of E website to find details of this week's service which you can also watch during the week, it is available from 09:00. Do visit the site, there are many excellent services saved on here which can still merit a 'watch'.
09:00 -
THIS SUNDAY on the BBC
Radio Four: 08:10 -
BBC Two: 13:15 -
Please find attached the readings and Live the Word for Sunday 24 Jan. Also find attached our Local Prayer Diary and the Diocesan Prayer Diary.
The Eucharist will be celebrated on behalf of the whole Benefice at 10:30 on Sun 24 (in SS P&P's Wem).
PARISH MAGAZINE
It is a last call to encourage all to think of submitting an article, poem, news, reflection or similar input for our Feb parish magazine (perhaps for the first time, why not?). During the first Lockdown and through to the autumn our magazine positively flourished with several successive editions exceeding the previous one for both the variety and number of inputs. These were greatly appreciated by many so wouldn't it be brilliant if we could build on this past momentum and show we can still share with one another even in these difficult times? Please pass any to myself or Pam Clarke asap -
FEAST OF THE CONVERSION OF PAUL
This feast has been celebrated in the Church since the 6thC and became universal in the 12thC, covid safety necessitates we cannot celebrate with a Eucharist for all on this day, the 25th January this year, however, we can still share in the special day by joining as one to say at some point the collect for the day:
Almighty God,
who caused the light of the Gospel
to shine throughout the world
the preaching of your servant Saint Paul:
grant that we who celebrate his wonderful conversion
may follow him in bearing witness to your truth;
through Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
The Eucharist will be celebrated for the whole Benefice at 10:00 on the day.
HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY
The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) 2021 is Be the light in the darkness. It encourages everyone to reflect on the depths humanity can sink to, but also the ways individuals and communities resisted that darkness to ‘be the light’ before, during and after genocide.
Be the light in the darkness is an affirmation and a call to action for everyone marking HMD. This theme asks us to consider different kinds of ‘darkness’, for example, identity-
Increasing levels of denial, division and misinformation in today’s world mean we must remain vigilant against hatred and identity-
We can all stand in solidarity. We can choose to be the light in the darkness in a variety of ways and places – at home, in public, and online.
To mark HMD 2020, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Senior Imam Qari Asim have come together and written a special prayer which is intended to be used by people of any faith.
Loving God, we come to you with heavy hearts, remembering the six million Jewish souls murdered during the Holocaust.
In the horrors of that history, when so many groups were targeted because of their identity, and in genocides which followed, we recognise destructive prejudices that drive people apart.
Forgive us when we give space to fear, negativity and hatred of others, simply because they are different from us.
In the light of God, we see everyone as equally precious manifestations of the Divine, and can know the courage to face the darkness.
Through our prayers and actions, help us to stand together with those who are suffering, so that light may banish all darkness, love will prevail over hate and good will triumph over evil.
Amen
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
"Scripture tells us to envision that everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree and no one shall make them afraid........
For there is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it."
Amanda Gorman: Poem at President Joe Biden's Inauguration
Please keep taking care, remain vigilant and stay safe,
Nick
N P Heron
Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-
01939 232550
-
Dear Friends,
What can one say at the end of this last week, one where such a ghastly milestone was reached? Words truly can fail us, and each loss of someone held held so dear, perhaps silence and prayer and reflection is best for now.
Our Archbishops have written a letter 'To the Nation' -
CALL TO PRAYER
Archbishops Justin and Stephen write:
"Whether you’re someone of faith, or not, we invite you to call on God in prayer. Starting on 1 February we invite you to set aside time every evening to pray, particularly at 6pm each day. More than ever, this is a time when we need to love each other. Prayer is an expression of love.
A number of resources will be made available at www.ChurchofEngland.org/PrayerForTheNation."
Perhaps this is something we can all do across the Benefice?
UPDATE
Just as the A'bishops' letter a full update including Bishop Michael's most recent directions is in the Parish Mag and will therefore be in your in-
THIS SUNDAY: CANDLEMAS (The Presentation of Christ in The Temple) ON-
This week we have another gift of an on-
08:00 -
10;30 -
17:30 -
OR
Access the C of E website to find details of this week's service which you can also watch during the week, it is available from 09:00. Do visit the site, there are many excellent services saved on here which can still merit a 'watch'.
09:00 -
THIS SUNDAY on BBC
Radio Four: 08:10 -
BBC One: 13:15 -
Please find attached the readings and a homily (based on the alternative readings for thIs Sun which is also the 4th After Epiphany) sadly there is no Live the Word for this Sun. Also find attached our Local Prayer Diary and the Diocesan Prayer Diary.
The Eucharist will be celebrated on behalf of the whole Benefice at 10:30 on Sunday 31st (in SS P&P's Wem).
LENT DISCUSSION GROUP
Lent has always been a time for us to reflect more deeply about our faith in and life with Christ, and often to meet with others to encourage one another and share what we are learning together. How to do this in present circumstances? As usual, there is material to help. The Live Lent – God’s Story -
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
From Matthew Parker's sermon:
"So into such a world -
May this email find you in the best health possible and doing all you can to keep yourself and those around you safe. Take care and have the best week you can,
Nick
N P Heron
Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-
01939 232550
-
Dear Friends,
Please find attached the Parish Magazine for February, with many thanks to all the contributors
With every good wish, take care,
Nick
N P Heron
Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-
01939 232550