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Dear Friends,
I trust this finds you all as well as possible, in good spirits and importantly staying vigilant and taking care. Since last week things have remained static on the 'church front' although I'm sure we'd all wish to set this in the context of the continued high level of fatalities and Covid admissions. So very little by way of an update as things are unchanged from this email's perspective and the underneath by way of our staying connected to worship and our corporate faith.
UPDATE
There is, sadly yet reasonably and inevitably, no need for a further update -
Whilst the churches in our benefice remain closed at present if you wish to go in then please do not feel excluded I am sure this can be easily facilitated -
CALL TO PRAYER
May I reiterate last week's call from our Archbishops to prayer? I know this is something many of you are positively engaging in which is heartening on many levels and although the link is styled 'Prayer for the nation' I'm confident we will take this as a call to pray for all in the midst of a global pandemic. Archbishops Justin and Stephen wrote:
"Whether you’re someone of faith, or not, we invite you to call on God in prayer. Starting on 1st 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.";
Lovely feedback I've had re this initiative was the encouraging suggestion that perhaps we will be strengthened by knowing that even at a Benefice level we are not on our own. Perhaps knowing what others are doing can add to our own intent so why not let me and therefore one another know what you (maybe with others by phone or zoom or similar) are doing in response to A'bishop Justin and Stephen's call. I'd keep any 'letting know' strictly anonymous (see Matthew 6. 1-
THIS SUNDAY: THE SECOND SUNDAY BEFORE LENT
This week we yet 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. Songs of Praise. 'Gospel Singer of the Year.'. Final from Gorton Monastery in Manchester.
Please find attached the readings, a homily and an especially good Live the Word for this Sun (courtesy of Redemptorist Publications) -
The Eucharist will be celebrated on behalf of the whole Benefice at 10:30 on Sunday 7th Feb (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 -
The booklet can be followed individually but also offers opportunities to discuss and learn together, so a weekly online meeting via Zoom will be hosted by Katharine Murray for the 6 weeks of Lent. If you would like to join in, please get in touch and let me know know which evening in the week you would prefer and also if you would like a copy of the booklet to follow at home. All welcome.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Amongst the many very useful materials available on-
"For sure, every time a Cathedral does something other than choral evensong, cultured and cultivated voices cry “Betrayal” or argue we are selling out to secularism. It has to be admitted that most forms of human religion put and police a boundary between sacred and profane: walls, screens, customs and codes make them apparent. Christians, however, have to recognise the paradox of Jesus Christ himself. God and the stuff of creation meet in this person. Much of his ministry was to demonstrate the devastating consequences of sealing off God from the sheer mess, pain and brokenness of human life. His truth is that human living is held and understood by God and God’s love, beauty and presence are not confined to sacred texts or sacred buildings: these only serve to illuminate the way God is to be experienced in mercy, right acts, healing and forgiveness. Christ’s incarnation is the bridge between what we call secular and sacred. The Church finds itself being most authentic when it not only proclaims but becomes a channel for God’s grace to touch the world."
'God and the stuff of creation meet in this person'. 'His truth is that human living is held and understood by God and God’s love, beauty and presence are not confined to sacred texts or sacred buildings: these only serve to illuminate the way God is to be experienced in mercy, right acts, healing and forgiveness.' -
Keep looking after one another and those around you, stay safe,
Nick
N P Heron
Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-
01939 232550
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Dear Friends,
My dear maternal grandmother had a phrase that came to the fore at this time of the year, I can still hear her saying it with her lovely S Manchester accent: "As the days lengthen, the cold strengthens". Goodness me hasn't this week proven her right (again)?! I hope this finds you managing to keep warm and keeping safe and well It is so important that we maintain our vigilance -
Unsurprisingly there is little new to report on the status of our public worship or church activities since my last few bulk emails -
UPDATE
As always up to date information may be found at Church of England website and latest updates on guidance are also on our diocesan website. You may, as always, find recent updates and copies of these emails at www.wemcofe.co.uk .
+Michael's most up to date guidance is here for those who may wish to see this.
Wem PCC Standing Committee reviewed the possibilities of SS Peter & Paul's resuming Public Worship and decided that with another upwards creep in local transmission rates now was not the time to do so although they really hope to do so 'ere long.
Whilst the churches in our benefice remain closed at present if you wish to go in then please do not feel excluded I am sure this can be easily facilitated -
ARCHBISHOPS' ARTICLE AND MESSAGE
Archbishops Justin and Stephen have written an article which corrects misrepresentations of the Church in relation to how it is responding, or will respond, to the challenges of covid; as you may have read or heard of these speculations about our Church's future in the media I have attached the text of their article which first appeared in 'The Spectator'. It contains not only the facts of the matter but more than a little inspiration about the place of our (hopefully) beloved C of E. or please click here. It is not a long read and certainly 'to the point'.
Our Archbishops have also released the following message in relation to LGBT+ History Month, which is this month. Click here to read it..
THIS SUNDAY: THE SUNDAY NEXT BEFORE LENT
This week we have a real gem of a 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, a homily and Live the Word for this Sun (courtesy of Redemptorist Publications) -
The Eucharist will be celebrated on behalf of the whole Benefice at 10:30 on Sunday 7th Feb (in SS P&P's Wem).
THE REV PREB PAM FREEMAN RIP
Whilst many of you will have heard the sad news it is so important to ensure all know that Pam Freeman sadly passed away on Sat (6 Feb). Pam served the Church throughout this diocese for many, many years and latterly on 'retirement' across this Benefice and Episcopal area, known to many if not all of you as both a priest and friend. Please hold her family, especially Chris her husband and their children in your thoughts and prayers: 'Rest eternal grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace.' Amen.
LENT
This, of course, begins this week on Wednesday 17th Feb -
RACIAL JUSTICE SUNDAY
Last year marked the Silver Jubilee of this international and ecumenical movement to focus on the importance of racial justice to our faith. To commemorate this Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) has focused on the 'Three R's', as the CTBI website expresses these:
Remembering the importance of racial justice
Reflecting on human diversity and thanking God for it
Responding by working to end injustice, racism and ignorance through prayer and action.
They are known as the “Three ‘R”s’ because education in its broadest sense, plays such a key role in racial justice. As a result, we have decided to republish the wealth of material that has been created over 25 to celebrate RJS, to the Silver Jubilee anniversary. These resources are diverse in nature and explore the issue of racial justice from various perspectives. Some of these resources were produced by CTBI sponsoring churches, while others were written by key figures from within ecumenical movement in Britain and Ireland. What they all have in common is their pertinence and prescience on the important matter of racial justice, and the need for brothers and sisters in Christ to engage with it.
To read and learn more please go to the website for CBTI where you will find a plethora of inspirational ecumenical material.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Taken from today's Church of England website 'opening page' -
The Archbishops’ Anti-
Love incarnate,
Fountain of Mercy and Justice
In a world of inequity and pain
May our actions be our prayer.
We cry out for Shalom, fullness of life to all.
Let the Spirit of Truth guide us.
Let the Spirit of Love free us.
Give us the compassion, courage and resolve
to become the light, we seek
that many may see life and their dignity restored
Inspire us to embody a world without injustice and prejudice
Form us into channels of your love and peace
Let the river of justice and mercy flood our imperfect world
Quenching the thirst of parched souls and lands.
Abide in us o Liberator that we become the Word
so that the world may have Life, Life in all its abundance.
Amen
Taken from the book Christian Aid book Rage & Hope: 75 Prayers for a Better World’, Edited by Chine McDonald
I trust that before long we don't have to have recourse to so many layers of clothing and that this cold snap soon evaporates -
Nick
N P Heron
Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-
01939 232550
-
Dear Friends,
As with so much else Ash Wednesday and Lent will, of necessity, be rather different this year -
In the Order for the beginning of Lent at the start of the service the celebrant says the following: “Brothers and sisters in Christ: since early days Christians have observed with great devotion the time of our Lord’s passion and resurrection. It became the custom of the Church to prepare for this by a season of penitence and fasting………. I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-
Our diocese has provided what I trust will be a great help to many of us in the above, as Bishop Michael recently wrote to all his clergy:
"Ash Wednesday will necessarily be kept at home by most of us this year, as the great majority of churches in the diocese are currently closed for public worship. In fact, this annual reminder of our mortality and of our need to seek out the mercy of God is well adapted to domestic observance. Whether as individuals or as members of a family, household or support bubble, the traditional marking with ash can be easily done in the home. I am enclosing to this end a simple form from the Church of England, which can either be used on its own or combined with an online service."
Please find attached the 'simple form' of service to which +Michael refers. The Cathedral on-
+Michael continued.
"I also attach a letter from Canon Andrew Stead, our Canon Precentor, with more background on Ash Wednesday and an open invitation to join online in the Cathedral’s celebrations of the Eucharist on Ash Wednesday at 12.30pm and 7.30pm".
Canon Andrew's letter is attached. Bishop Michael went on to write:
"For those for whom this may be helpful, I have also recorded a short video reflection for Ash Wednesday, which is available on our diocesan website."
You may access this video reflection here
Nothing can replace our physical, tangible gathering to begin Lent on Ash Wednesday, that is clear -
If you are wondering how you might further keep Lent then our diocesan website has created a very accessible weekly resource. Each week is laid out in the same way, beginning with a very brief introduction to a topic, some suggested Bible passages, questions to prompt reflection and further resources should you wish to continue engaging with the topic. This very much meets our common call to the 'observance of a holy Lent' and mirrors +Michael's hope "that people will engage in a fresh encounter with the guidance and challenge of the scriptures as they relate to contemporary issues" . To see our diocesan material go to the following web page,
I make no claims to be a mind reader (I fear it is probably just as well, for my own comfort, that I'm not!...a joke) yet still feel I can hear some of you reflecting that 'actions speak louder than words' and 'all the above is very well and good but'....... Well for those of a more 'practical bent' there is something many of us can do to keep a dutiful and holy Lent, the season has long been associated with fasting -
May I warmly yet strongly encourage you to consider joining in any or all of the above, safe in your own home. In doing so my hope (and indeed strong suspicion) is that for all the sad and tragic necessity lying behind our circumstances that this year more of us may keep Ash Wednesday and Lent in a Holy and fruitful way.
With my every good wish, keep yourselves safe,
Nick
N P Heron
Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-
01939 232550
-
Dear Friends,
Greetings at the end of another seasonally varied week! I trust this finds you in continued good spirits, as well as possible and continuing to take every care possible for both yourself and those around you.
Yet again there is little new to report on the status of our public worship or church activities since my last few bulk emails -
UPDATE
As always up to date information may be found at Church of England website and latest updates on guidance are also on our diocesan website. You may, as always, find recent updates and copies of these emails on our church web site on the St Peter’s and Paul web site
Whilst the churches in our benefice remain closed at present if you wish to go in then please do not feel excluded I am sure this can be easily facilitated -
ARCHBISHOPS' ARTICLE
This is so important a statement that I am including for a second week -
Our Archbishops have also released the following message in relation to LGBT+ History Month, which is this month of February.
THIS SUNDAY: THE FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
It was so encouraging to read such positive feedback to Simon Foster's sermon of last week, this week we have a sermon from another member of +Michael's core team, one who gain may not be known to most of you -
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 0900. 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: 11:00 -
13:15 -
Please find attached the readings, Live the Word (with an excellent Reflection) and Homily for this Sun (courtesy of Redemptorist Publications). 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 21 February (in SS P&P's Wem).
LENT
I came across the following in an address, to mark the beginning of Lent, by of the Dean of Lichfield Cathedral
"Lent is sometimes called a season of joyful sadness – yes because of regret for the mess-
If you are wondering how you might keep Lent then our diocesan website has created a very accessible weekly resource. Each week is laid out in the same way, beginning with a very brief introduction to a topic, some suggested Bible passages, questions to prompt reflection and further resources should you wish to continue engaging with the topic. This very much meets our common call to the 'observance of a holy Lent' and mirrors +Michael's hope "that people will engage in a fresh encounter with the guidance and challenge of the scriptures as they relate to contemporary issues" . To see our diocesan material click here, it couldn't be easier.
A reminder for those joining that the Lent discussion group will begin meeting this Tuesday at 19:30.
BENEFICE MAGAZINE
Guess what.......it's that time again (but Feb is a shorter month!) to ask for inputs of whatever style and flavour into our Mag -
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
This week ends with the Lesser Festival day of George Herbert on 27th Feb. Born into an aristocratic family, a fellow of Trinity College at 25 subsequently an MP he seemed destined for a life of ease at court. However, he surprised all by leaving this on one side and taking ordination as his short adult life's vocation being given the care of souls for the parish of Bemerton just outside Salisbury. Never neglecting his parishioners he wrote prolifically and was a poet of stature, we still sing some of his hymns ('King of glory; King of peace', 'Let all the world in ev'ry corner sing.').
He wrote the following simple prayer, perhaps it might guide and lighten our week?
"Thou who hast given so much to me, give me one more thing... a grateful heart!"
.
Take care and remain safe -
Nick
N P Heron
Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-
01939 232550
-
Dear Friends,
May this find you all in continued good spirits and the best health possible
It's becoming quite a habit to begin my 'epistles' with a comment on the weather...how very English! Yet it is difficult not to after such a glorious day when one can scent Spring in the air, exercising around the local roads I saw the first green shoots of hawthorn leaves today and first Spring lambs a few days ago. Hopefully a seasonal change is upon us. Sadly though even with positive signs we are still, clearly, amidst 'lockdown' and the greatest of care and vigilance is still required from all of us -
So, yet again, there is little new to report on the status of our public worship or church activities since my last few bulk emails -
As always up to date information may be found on the Church of England website and latest updates on guidance are also on our diocesan website. You may, as always, find recent updates and copies of these emails on the St Peter and Paul’s web site. Whilst the churches in our benefice remain closed at present if you wish to go in then please do not feel excluded I am sure this can be easily facilitated -
ARCHBISHOPS' APPOINTMENT
I know very well how important our environment is to many of you, indeed one of the Five Anglican Marks of Mission is -
THIS SUNDAY: THE SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
Following last weeks sermon from Archdeacon Sue Weller, Archdeacon of Lichfield this week we have another wonderful offering from one of our diocese' archdeacons, this time from The Ven Julian Francis. Julian is Archdeacon of Walsall. The sermon's apposite title, as it picks up on this Sunday's readings, is 'Take up your cross', Text of the sermon is here and may be followed here.
Unlike our lectionary readings (attached as always) and Archdeacon Julian's sermon, which are for this Sunday, our Cathedral offers a rare treat as the services celebrate the Patronal Festival of the Cathedral, St Chad (whose feast day actually falls on Tue, 2 Mar).
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 -
Those joining the Lent Discussion Group, or following 'Live Lent' through either the booklet or Church website on-
THIS SUNDAY on BBC
Radio Four -
BBC ONE -
BBC TWO -
Please find attached the readings, Live the Word, and Homily for this Sun (courtesy of Redemptorist Publications). 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 28 Feb (in SS P&P's Wem).
LENT
It is never too late to resolve to mark Lent by making that extra devotional or private time. If you are wondering how our diocesan website has created a very accessible weekly resource. Each week is laid out in the same way, beginning with a very brief introduction to a topic, some suggested Bible passages, questions to prompt reflection and further resources should you wish to continue engaging with the topic. This very much meets our common call to the 'observance of a holy Lent' and mirrors +Michael's hope "that people will engage in a fresh encounter with the guidance and challenge of the scriptures as they relate to contemporary issues" . To see our diocesan material click here.
Our Lent discussion group will continue via Zoom (what else😵?) this Tuesday at 19:30
ST CHAD
As mentioned above this Tuesday is the celebration of the Patron of our Diocese and Cathedral, St Chad, first Bishop of Lichfield. Our diocesan 'motto' -
Almighty God,
from the first fruits of the English nation who turned to Christ,
you called your servant Chad to be an evangelist and bishop of this people:
give us grace so to follow his peaceable nature,
humble spirit and prayerful life,
that we may truly commend to others
the faith which we ourselves profess;
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 for ever. Amen.
Likewise let us remember the words from this week's prayer diary for Tuesday:
"We give thanks for our first Bishop, St Chad, for his commitment to mission in Mercia and for his humility and prayerfulness; we pray for his successor, Bishop Michael Ipgrave, that your Holy Spirit may reshape us all for mission in our day; we pray for the 27 churches in the Diocese dedicated to St Chad and for special events being hosted today by the cathedral and Community of St Chad."
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
From Julian Francis' sermon:
".............we have surely witnessed some extraordinary examples of people being used by God to walk this costly and risky road in the circumstances of the pandemic. Our frontline workers in health and social care, so many people in public and retail services, both in the foreground and in the background, have set aside their own comforts and risked their lives to be out there in the danger zone – sometimes as a professional necessity, sometimes through personal decision, and at other times as the only way to put bread on the table. And this tide of suffering love has made all the difference, both to those in peril and to the rest of us who have been shielded from the storm to a much greater extent. And this reminds us that our calling as Christians to walk this way with Christ is forever open to us…. We can always attempt to walk away from the suffering of others. But this is not what our Saviour asks of us."
It would be a shame to leave St David out of my final thoughts (and some of you dear friends might not take appreciate it if I did! 😁). In his last sermon David is reputed to have preached:
“Be joyful and keep your faith and your creed. Do the little things that you have seen me do and heard about. I will walk the path that our fathers have trod before us.”
Reading Archdeacon Julian's words may make us wonder what we can do. Well sometimes it is the 'little things' that make all the difference...........
Enjoy the onset of Spring, have a good week, stay safe and remember that care for one another is never 'little'.
Nick
N P Heron
Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-
01939 232550