-
Dear Friends,
In time is on time!
Please find attached copy of the Benefice Magazine for May, with many thanks as always to Pam for her support in this. I trust this finds you well and hope to see you soon.
Every good wish,
Nick
N P Heron
Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-
01939 232550
-
Dear Friends,
Alleluia, Christ is Risen. He is Risen indeed. Alleluia!
We are still in our great season of Easter so continued Easter greetings and best wishes. It might have been a chilly week but the sun has largely been out and I hope you've been able to enjoy some of this, there's even been a little rain for those gardeners among you -
UPDATE
There is nothing significant to add to the update in recent emails apropos the status of our public worship or church activities these as always may be found on our web site.
We do anticipate more changes as 17 May draws nearer but as this is provisional and as yet a little while off more anon. 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.
WE'RE PRAYED FOR...
Yesterday I received a delightful email from Canon David Primrose from our cathedral (Canon Treasurer (Environment, Social Justice, Community Outreach). He wrote:
"Each day we pray for a different deanery in the Cathedral. We will be praying for your deanery tomorrow, 1st May, in our private and our public prayers, in particular at the evening service. Do let us know if you and any-
I don't think the 'short notice' matters too much, what really, really counts is the reminder that we are joined together as the diocesan-
SUNDAY PUBLIC WORSHIP -
Wem Parish Church: 08:00 -
09:45 -
Weston Parish Church: 09:30 -
Lee Parish Church: 11:15. -
For each service you will be pleased to read that the elementary and essential precautions we are now used to will, of course, apply:-
* Always sanitise hands on entry, after touching anything 'communal' and before Communion
* Wear your mask whenever attending worship
* At all times keep to physical distancing -
* As you would expect Communion will remain in 'one kind' and as yet we are not able to sing
* Follow any other guidance of the church wardens or sidespeople
There is now the caveat that all must leave directly after the service and not 'mingle' in church and outside adhere to the rule of 6 (which does, of course, include social distancing).
I cannot stress too strongly that it is, very clearly, absolutely fine and in order for any not to resume just yet if we feel individually that the time is not quite right and no one should feel under any pressure to do so; hopefully these continued emails will allow you to feel connected, they will continue providing details of on-
THIS SUNDAY: THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
You may follow our Cathedral services for this Sunday by clicking of the above and following the necessary links -
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: Easter Four: 'Exploring Transformative Conversations'. Hear from Rev Prebendary Sarah Schofield in this extract from our weekly worship. From the University of Wolverhampton, the full online service explores transformative conversations with students and staff, alongside music and prayer.
THIS SUNDAY on BBC
Radio Four: 08:10 -
BBC ONE: 10:45 -
13:15. Songs of Praise. 'Northern Ireland's 100th'. Clare McCollum marks the partition of Ireland and formation of N Ireland 100 years ago and meets Christians from across the denominations to discuss the past and their hopes for the future
Please find attached the readings, Live the Word (with a lovely small piece on music in church), and Homily for this Sun (courtesy of Redemptorist Publications). Many thanks indeed to Mike Farmer for once again helping to break these down by week. Also find attached our Local Prayer Diary and the Diocesan Prayer Diary.
BREAD OF LIFE
In a recent Easter letter Bishop Michael encouraged and invited engagement in a diocesan teaching series 'Bread of Life' which began on Tue,11 Apr. Having seen the first three in the series I can unhesitatingly say, that as we would expect, there is great food for thought and faith nurture in these.
These are available, with a precis of the series, from 10:00 on the Tuesday of each week on the Bread Of Life webpage and will remain posted on the website through the summer. Where written texts of the presentations are provided, these will also be available with the talk. Do please pay these a visit, they are (of course) well worth a watch and a gift to us all to enable an exploration in the comfort of our homes of the centrality of the Blessed Sacrament. The first zoom Discussion Group, reflecting on these, met on Tuesday and unanimously found +Michael's first presentation hugely helpful. If you wish to join the discussion group -
CHILDREN'S SOCIETY
At this time of the year we often try to collect for, or gather in yearly set-
BENEFICE MAGAZINE
If you have received this you should by now have received the May Benefice Mag. If not it is available, as always on the links page of our web site or please drop me an email.
AGM/APCM
If all goes to schedule you will wish to know that in-
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Please spend all the time you can looking at our NT reading set for this Sun, from John's First Letter (although most scholars agree that we don't actually know who wrote it).
God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.
The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.
Wonderful words to hold to throughout the coming week.
.
Keep taking care, with every good wish,
Nick
N P Heron
Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-
01939 232550
-
Dear Friends,
Alleluia, Christ is Risen. He is Risen indeed. Alleluia! Continued Easter greetings and best wishes, I hope this finds you as well as possible and in the best of spirits.
UPDATE
Emails apropos the status of our public worship or church activities these as always may be found on our church web site.
We do anticipate more changes on 17 May, one of which you may have read about is the removal on the limit for attendance for funerals -
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.
SUNDAY PUBLIC WORSHIP -
Wem Parish Church: 08:00. Holy Eucharist
09:45. Holy Eucharist (with homily and hymn music
Weston Parish Church: 09:30. Holy Eucharist (with homily and hymn music)
Lee Parish Church: 11:15. Holy Eucharist (with homily and hymn music)
By now it goes without saying that the elementary and essential precautions we are now used to continue, of course, to apply:-
* Always sanitise hands on entry, after touching anything 'communal' and before Communion
* Wear your mask whenever attending worship
* At all times keep to physical distancing -
* As you would expect Communion will remain in 'one kind' and as yet we are not able to sing
* Follow any other guidance of the church wardens or sidespeople
There is now the caveat that all must leave directly after the service and not 'mingle' in church and outside adhere to the rule of 6 (which does, of course, include social distancing).
I cannot stress too strongly that it is, very clearly, absolutely fine and in order for any not to resume just yet if we feel individually that the time is not quite right and no one should feel under any pressure to do so; hopefully these continued emails will allow you to feel connected, they will continue providing details of on-
THIS SUNDAY: THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
You may follow our Cathedral services for this Sun by clicking of the above and following the necessary links -
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 -
BBC TWO -
13:15 -
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.
ASCENSION DAY
Ascension Day is one of the greatest days in the Church Year. The Feast of The Ascension which is celebrated 40 days after Easter, is a Holy day of great antiquity and needs little explanation. There will be a Eucharist, with music and brief Homily, for the whole benefice on: THURSDAY 13 MAY at 19:30 in SS Peter & Paul’s.
BREAD OF LIFE
In a recent Easter letter Bishop Michael encouraged and invited engagement in a diocesan teaching series 'Bread of Life' which began on Tue,11 Apr. Having seen the first three in the series I can unhesitatingly say, that as we would expect, there is great food for thought and faith nurture in these.
All I have spoken to about these have found them well worth a watch with much food for thought and a gift to us all to enable an exploration in the comfort of our homes of the centrality of the Blessed Sacrament. Our Zoom Discussion Group, reflecting on these, meets on Tuesday. If you wish to join just let me know.
These are available, with a precis of the series, from 10:00 on the Tuesday of each week on the Bread Of Life webpage and will remain posted on the website through the summer. Where written texts of the presentations are provided, these will also be available with the talk. Do please pay these a visit.
CHILDREN'S SOCIETY
At this time of the year we often try to collect for, or gather in yearly set-
AGM/APCM
Our Annual meetings should, all things being equal, be able to be held in-
Weston -
Lee -
Wem: -
All will be held in the respective church this year and kept as brief as sensible. For those unable to attend where possible any papers delivered will be circulated in advance, at the meetings I will also be very content to take written questions submitted beforehand from those unable to attend in-
Wem PCC will meet in advance of their Annual meeting at 19:30 on 10 May (via zoom, of course)
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Last week I ended with a quotation from the set NT reading, the First Letter of John, today in a parallel vein some words from the Gospel set for tomorrow:
'This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you'.
St Augustine once very perceptively challenged all with his remark in the light of this Gospel imperative -
Have the best week you possibly can, please continue to take care and remember that it is in this Gospel of Love we have Hope.
.
Every good wish,
Nick
N P Heron
Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-
01939 232550
-
Dear Friends,
I have just taken a necessarily limited service at Wem War Memorial to mark the 100th Anniversary of the Royal British Legion, goodness me if one imagined no leaves on the trees it fely more like Armistice day than May! I hope this unseasonal weather is not damping your spirits and this finds you in the best of health as we move from Ascension to the great Feast of Pentecost next week and look to, surely(?) warmer days.
UPDATE
As we all know 17 May marks the next stage in response to the pandemic, however, understandably, as yet not too many changes from the perspective of faith practice emerge. From our C of E website, the most up to date briefing:
Updated Friday May 14, 15:27
"From Monday May 17, England moves to Stage Three of the Government’s ‘reopening’ roadmap. For places of worship this will involve some changes -
Government guidance on Places of Worship is being updated and we will update our guidance accordingly on May 17."
For ourselves across the benefice this principally impacts on us when church funerals are requested, an assessment of numbers permitted in accordance with regulations for social distancing and the capacity of the church will be required. I will be making this in consultation with the Funeral Director, I know that between us we will be able to sensitively guide and support the families involved.
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. Equally as and when more guidance emerges it will be sent to all.
SUNDAY PUBLIC WORSHIP -
Wem Parish Church -
09:45 -
Weston Parish Church -
Lee Parish Church -
Our essential precautions we are now used to continue, of course, continue to apply:-
* Always sanitise hands on entry, after touching anything 'communal' and before Communion
* Wear your mask whenever attending worship
* At all times keep to physical distancing -
* As you would expect Communion will remain in 'one kind' and as yet we are not able to sing
* Follow any other guidance of the church wardens or sidespeople
Please continue to leave directly after the service and not 'mingle' in church and outside adhere to the rule of 6 (which does, of course, include social distancing).
I cannot stress too strongly that it is, very clearly, absolutely fine and in order for any not to resume just yet if we feel individually that the time is not quite right and no one should feel under any pressure to do so; hopefully these continued emails will allow you to feel connected, they will continue providing details of on-
THIS SUNDAY: SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION DAY)
You may follow our Cathedral services for this Sunday by clicking on the above and following the necessary links -
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 -
BBC TWO -
13:15 -
Please find attached the readings, Live the Word and Homily for this Sunday (courtesy of Redemptorist Publications). Also find attached our Local Prayer Diary and the Diocesan Prayer Diary.
PENTECOST SUNDAY
Please remember next Sunday, 23 May, if one the the very greatest days in our Church Calendar -
BREAD OF LIFE
A series of teaching sessions from the bishops who serve in and are linked to our diocese, these are available, with a precis of the series, from 10:00 on the Tuesday of each week on the Bread Of Life webpage and will remain posted on the website through the summer. Where written texts of the presentations are provided, these will also be available with the talk. Do please pay these a visit. For any who wish there is a zoom discussion group looking at these which convenes at 19:30 on Tuesday -
AGM/APCM
Our Annual meetings can now be held in-
Weston -
Lee -
Wem -
All will be kept as brief as sensible, at the meetings I will also be very content to take written questions submitted beforehand from those unable to attend in-
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Last week I ended with a quotation from the Gospel set for the following Sunday: This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you'. What may this look like? A follow up quotation from a contemporary Anglican theologian, Urban Holmes, who writes that there is an 'inevitable' course to our religious professions and claims:
"...that course leads to living in the world as God sees the world. We can debate the trivial points, but the vision is largely clear. To love God is the relieve the burden of all who suffer. The rest is a question of tactics." !
Keep taking care, many of us are delighted to have been vaccinated -
Nick
N P Heron
Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-
01939 232550
-
Dear Friends,
Famous last words...I recall someone sat remarkably close to where I am now emailing last week and writing of looking to "surely(?) warmer days". They also wrote of hoping that "this unseasonal weather is not dampening your spirits". The latter sentiment most certainly remains true. At least something was right in last week's introduction as this Sunday we do indeed celebrate the great Festival of Pentecost, the day we give thanks for the gift of the Holy Spirit -
UPDATE
As you will know we have now reached another stage in the government's directions on safety during the pandemic. To cite directly from the C of E website, an as up to the minute resource as I can provide:-
Updated Thursday May 20, 11:31:
"The Revd Dr Brendan McCarthy, the Church of England’s adviser on medical ethics and health policy, said: “The changes in guidance which come into effect today represent a relatively modest step along the road of easing restrictions affecting places of worship in common with many other public places.
“The increase in maximum numbers at weddings and the lifting of the cap on those permitted to attend funerals will be welcome by many families.
“A more extensive easing of restrictions is expected next month when England is due to move to step four on the Government’s ‘reopening’ roadmap.
“However, despite major progress in the rollout of vaccinations, recent developments around the world – especially the tragic events in India – show that there is still uncertainty ahead and we we will continue to encourage a measured approach to the path forward as we seek to protect the most vulnerable.”
In short this means that across the benefice 30 may now attend weddings and baptisms (if these are not in the usual morning service) and the number possible for church funerals is dictated strictly by the capacity of the individual church. All our protocols, which we are well familiar with (understandably) continue to apply.
The C of E guidance also detailed the following:
"From Step 3 groups of 6, or larger groups where everyone present is from the same two households (or linked support bubble), can sit together. Everyone else will need to observe appropriate physical distancing at all times. It may be helpful to remind people as they enter, and to supervise this if needed. When entering and leaving church particular care needs to be taken that there is no mingling between groups. This can be particularly hard for people to do when encountering friends and clear paths for entrance and exit need to be considered as well as stewarding where this is considered to be an issue."
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. Equally as and when more guidance emerges it will be sent to all.
SUNDAY PUBLIC WORSHIP -
Wem Parish Church -
09:45 -
Weston Parish Church -
Lee Parish Church -
Our essential precautions we are now used to continue, of course, continue to apply:-
* Always sanitise hands on entry, after touching anything 'communal' and before Communion
* Wear your mask whenever attending worship
* At all times keep to physical distancing -
* As you would expect Communion will remain in 'one kind' and as yet we are not able to sing
* Follow any other guidance of the church wardens or sidespeople
Please continue to leave directly after the service and not 'mingle' in church and outside adhere to the rule of 6 (which does, of course, include social distancing).
I cannot stress too strongly that it is, very clearly, absolutely fine and in order for any not to resume just yet if we feel individually that the time is not quite right and no one should feel under any pressure to do so; hopefully these continued emails will allow you to feel connected, they will continue providing details of on-
THIS SUNDAY: PENTECOST SUNDAY
You may follow our Cathedral services for this Sun by clicking of the above and following the necessary links -
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.
09:00 -
THIS SUNDAY on BBC
Radio Four: 08:10 -
BBC ONE: 10:30 -
11:30 -
13:15 -
Please find attached the readings, Live the Word (with a stimulating reflection on our church music) and Homily for this Sun (courtesy of Redemptorist Publications). Also find attached our Local Prayer Diary and the Diocesan Prayer Diary.
TRINITY SUNDAY
Next Sunday, 30 May, is another very significant Sunday in our Church Calendar -
The service at St Luke's Weston will be at 1100 (not 0930) and there will be no service at Lee. Wem service times remain as usual and St Peter's congregation are warmly encouraged to enjoy joining with either SS P & P's or St Luke's.
PARISH MAGAZINE
Guess what.......it's that time again to ask for inputs of whatever style and flavour into our Mag -
BREAD OF LIFE
A series of teaching sessions from the bishops who serve in and are linked to our diocese, these are available, with a precis of the series, from 1000 on the Tuesday of each week on the Bread Of Life webpage and will remain posted on the website through the summer. Where written texts of the presentations are provided, these will also be available with the talk. Do please pay these a visit. For any who wish there is a zoom discussion group looking at these which convenes at 19:30 on Tuesday -
AGM/APCM
Many thanks indeed to all who attended the annual meetings in Lee and Weston during the last week, not least to those who have agreed to serve as Church Wardens or on the PCCs. One AGM/APCM remains, that is:
Wem: Mon 24 May (preceded by a Eucharist at 1900). As with the others this will be kept as brief as sensible, at the meetings I will also be very content to take written questions submitted beforehand from those unable to attend in-
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Some thought provoking and perhaps challenging words from his holiness Pope Francis for this Pentecost season:
"“To put it simply: the Holy Spirit bothers us. Because he moves us, he makes us walk, he pushes the Church to go forward. And we are like Peter at the Transfiguration: 'Ah, how wonderful it is to be here like this, all together!' ... But don't bother us. We want the Holy Spirit to doze off ... we want to domesticate the Holy Spirit. And that's no good. because he is God, he is that wind which comes and goes and you don't know where. He is the power of God, he is the one who gives us consolation and strength to move forward. But: to move forward! And this bothers us. It's so much nicer to be comfortable.”
Keep yourselves safe and vigilant and continue taking care, with every good wish,
Nick
N P Heron
Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-
01939 232550
-
Dear Friends,
As we move to another milestone in our annual Church calendar, Trinity Sunday, with warmer drier weather (it had to come..) may this find you in good heart and keeping as well as possible.
A slightly pared back email this week, with fewer attachments.
UPDATE
As you will know we have now reached another stage in the government's directions on safety during the pandemic. All our local church and national Church guidance and direction remain as last week so I will not trouble you with a reiteration. However, should you wish for a 'refresher' previous emails and details may as always be found at: www.wemcofe.co.uk
Again up to date information may be found at Church of England website and latest updates on guidance are also on our diocesan website. Equally as and when more guidance emerges it will be sent to all.
SUNDAY PUBLIC WORSHIP -
Wem Parish Church 08:00 -
09:45 -
Weston Parish Church 11:00 -
Lee Parish Church -
Our essential precautions we are now used to continue, of course, to apply:-
* Always sanitise hands on entry, after touching anything 'communal' and before Communion
* Wear your mask whenever attending worship
* At all times keep to physical distancing -
* As you would expect Communion will remain in 'one kind' and as yet we are not able to sing
* Follow any other guidance of the church wardens or sidespeople
Please continue to leave directly after the service and not 'mingle' in church and outside adhere to governmental guidelines, especially with regard to keeping appropriate distances apart irrespective of being outside 'space' is still a virtue of the day.
I cannot stress too strongly that it is, very clearly, absolutely fine and in order for any not to resume just yet if we feel individually that the time is not quite right and no one should feel under any pressure to do so; hopefully these continued emails will allow you to feel connected, they will continue providing details of on-
THIS SUNDAY: TRINITY SUNDAY
You may follow our Cathedral services for this Sun by clicking of the above and following the necessary links -
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.
09:00: 'God is revealed through Trinity.' Led by Rev Rebecca Mathew, vicar of St Nicholas Church, Allestree and St Paul’s, Quarndon in the Diocese of Derby, our sermon from Rev Shemil Mathew, Chaplain for Oxford Brookes University, explores the way in which God is revealed to us through the Trinity and how we are reminded of our own relationships, communities and global networks.
THIS SUNDAY on BBC
Radio Four 08:10 -
BBC ONE 10:00 -
13:15 -
Please find attached the readings and Homily for this Sun (courtesy of Redemptorist Publications). Also find attached our Local Prayer Diary unfortunately the Diocesan Prayer Diary is unavailable as I type..
NEXT SUNDAY
Next Sunday, 6 Jun, The First after Trinity is also Environment Sunday. Happily our services will be at their usual times and place for this week:
Wem: 08:00 and 09:45
Weston: 09:30
Lee: 11:15
In preparation for Environment Sunday, perhaps we might find time to reflect on a say the following prayer for creation throughout the coming week?
Heavenly Father,
You have taught us, through your servant St Francis,
That all creation is your handiwork.
Grant us your grace that we may
Exercise wise stewardship of this Earth;
Tread lightly upon it;
And cherish its resources;
That our children may enjoy its riches, throughout all generations,
And your name be glorified through all that you have made.
Amen.
BREAD OF LIFE
A series of teaching sessions from the bishops who serve in and are linked to our diocese, these are available, with a precis of the series, from 1000 on the Tuesday of each week on the Bread Of Life webpage and will remain posted on the website through the summer. Where written texts of the presentations are provided, these will also be available with the talk. This week we can hear from +Alistair Magowan an Assistant Bishop in our Diocese (retired Bishop of Ludlow) on 'Anticipation' or Eschatology. There will be no zoom study group this week.
CORPUS CHRISTI
The ancient and revered day in our year to remember with thanksgiving the gift of the Blessed Sacrament. The Eucharist will be celebrated for the whole benefice at 1930 and it would be appropriate if all might join in this prayer on this special Feast Day at some point:
All praise to you, our God and Father,
for you have fed us with the bread of heaven
and quenched our thirst with the true vine:
hear our prayer that, being grafted into Christ,
we may grow together in unity
and feast with him in his kingdom’
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
AGM/APCM
Many thanks indeed to all who attended the annual meetings across the benefice in the past fortnight, not least to those who have agreed to serve as Church Wardens or on the PCCs.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
"Holiness doesn't mean doing extraordinary things, but doing ordinary things with love and faith." Pope Francis
Have a holy week, and take care, every good wish,
Nick
N P Heron
Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-
01939 232550