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Dear Friends,
Another week might have seemed to have flown by, nonetheless trust me it has! This week for the first time in a long time there is nothing new to report regarding governmental direction, Church guidance or how we are safely managing worship across the Benefice. However, perhaps too clearly, things are far from 'back to normal' and we should all take continued care in all we do.
May I say a huge ‘thank you’ on all your behalf to the Church Wardens who have spared no time, thought or effort in working to make sure our churches collectively are as safe and covid secure as possible. There is necessary a caveat to this -
In line with what I've written in previous emails I will continue with this bulk email for the interim knowing that there are those for whom Sun worship is, understandably, still a step too soon, also in this fluid situation things can change quickly….. just ask our near neighbours in Greater Manchester.
Face Masks: With effect from Sat 8 Aug the government has extended the mandatory use of these to include places of worship, this means that for all our services worshippers are required by law to wear masks. It was good to know all adhered to this last Sun, please do so for the duration of this requirement. The Church has now been able to confirm that this extends to all occasions, with permissions to remove if space allows when leading worship, reading, giving notices etc and certain statutory exemptions. Full details are, as always, available on our C of E website.
There is no change to the Occasional Offices (baptisms, weddings and funerals) which continue but with restrictions on numbers attending, a maximum of 30 yet dependent on the size of church, and as always other safeguards will be in place. Any enquiries about these should always be addressed to myself in the first instance, circumstances and protocols are prone to change.
This coming week, which begins with Sunday 10th Sunday after Trinity it is a joy and delight to say that our worship will be as close as we dare think to our usual pattern of worship
08:00 Said Eucharist SS Peter & Paul’s Wem
09:30 Holy Eucharist St Luke’s Weston
09:45 Holy Eucharist SS Peter & Paul’s Wem
11:15 Holy Eucharist St Peter’s Lee
At each service we will be adhering to physical distancing -
Our pattern of church opening for private prayer continues to be modified for reasons of cleaning and limiting possibility of virus transmission.
St Peter's Lee: will now be closed, as pre pandemic
St Luke's Weston: currently remaining closed
SS Peter & Paul's Wem: open every Monday and Friday 09:00 to 15:00
ON-
08:00 The Eucharist (traditional language)
10:30 Choral Eucharist for the Tenth Sunday after Trinity
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.
This Week: “Wisdom in the Psalms.” This online service is led by the community of Mucknell Abbey, located near Worcester, in the West Midlands. The Abbey is part of the Order of St Benedict, and the service includes contributions from Sister Jessica, Brother Stuart, Brother Adrian, Sister Gregory and Brother Thomas.
THIS SUNDAY on BBC
Radio Four 08:10. ‘When our plans change.’ A service led by The Rev Dr Stephen Wigley, chair of the Wales synod of the Methodist Church, reflecting on what happens when our plans change and also marking the 75th anniversary of VJ day.
BBC One 13:15. Songs of Praise. This week is from within our own diocese -
Please find attached the readings and a Homily for this Sunday (courtesy of Redemptorist publications) and with thanks again to Mike and Bob for sorting out for me -
Also find attached both the Diocesan and our Local Prayer Diaries.
PARISH MAGAZINE
I hope you all appreciated the August edition of the Parish magazine, it was for us a bumper edition. We will soon be compiling the Sep edition so any items, articles, inputs of any size or flavour would be really valued. Please pass to either myself or Pam.
A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
"When I say 'I am a Christian', I'm not shouting 'I'm saved'. I'm whispering 'I get lost'. That is why I chose this way." Maya Angelou.
Enjoy the gift of this coming week, please stay safe,
Nick
N P Heron
Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-
01939 232550
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Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you as well as possible on what has been a glorious sunny day.
I am delighted to announce that this Sun will be the first since the lifting of the government's restrictions on Public Worship that there will be a service in each parish in the Benefice. That sense of delight is very clearly seriously tempered by the ongoing coronavirus crisis here and across the world; also, of course, we cannot fully rejoice about resuming worship when there are those for whom (quite understandably and rightly) it is too soon to rejoin us. Nonetheless it will be so good to celebrate the Eucharist in each parish and in Spirit we will be together in thought and prayer on Sun 2 Aug.
This weekly email will continue for the interim, for all, as a way of keeping us connected with one another.
Our pattern of church opening for private prayer has now had to be modified for reasons of cleaning and limiting possibility of virus transmission which we know all will understand.
St Peter's Lee will now be closed, as pre pandemic
St Luke's Weston, currently remaining closed
SS Peter& Paul's Wem, open every Mon and Fri 09:00 to 15:00
** NB closed from 12:45 Mon 3rd and Fri 7th following funerals at 12:00 on both days **
SUNDAY 2 AUG (The 8th Sunday after Trinity)
Wem:
08:00 Holy Eucharist
09:45 Holy Eucharist
Weston:
09:30 Holy Eucharist
Lee:
11:15 Holy Eucharist
At each service we be adhering rigourously to physical distancing -
You may well be wondering about the wearing of masks if coming to church, the following reiteration is lifted directly from the C of E website:
"This guidance is to help ministers and their congregations to understand the current advice on wearing face coverings, and how this applies in churches. This advice is reflected in the specific Government guidance for conducting various worship services within enclosed spaces such as church buildings.
1. Q. Should I wear a face covering in a church building?
A. ".................. People are also encouraged to wear face coverings in enclosed public spaces where there are people they do not normally meet, such as a place of worship.
We strongly advise that face coverings should be worn by all those attending a place of worship, including ministers, worshippers, staff, volunteers, contractors and visitors, where there may be other people present; remembering that they are mainly intended to protect other people, not the wearer, from coronavirus COVID-
The italicized element is the C of E website, highlighted mine. As always up to date information can be found on the C of E website
Apropos face masks and visiting church for private prayer the 'guidance' is a tad ambivalent ie 'where there may be other people present': please do, as you will not know in advance whether you will be on your own or not. However, if you find you are are on your own I see no reason why masks may not be kept to hand.
As previously announced, the Occasional Offices of Funerals, Marriage and Baptism may now take place subject to guidance about safe protocols and precautions -
** stop press ** You will have heard that the Government has announced plans for face masks to be mandatory for Public Worship from 8 August, the C of E website currently reads :-
ON-
08:00 The Eucharist (traditional language)
10:30 Choral Eucharist for the Eighth Sunday after Trinity
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.
Every week there is a wonderfully devotional and thought creating offering, the 'menu' over the past six weeks has been quite something -
This week promises to be just as rewarding -
Fr Kevin Smith presides at the Mass, with Bishop Philip North preaching on how Jesus feeds us so that we can go and feed a hungry world. The music is provided by CJM and the prayers are led by the Holborn Group. Please go to -
THIS SUNDAY on the BBC
Radio Four: 08:10. 'Encountering God in Abandonment'. The Rev Dr Isabella Hamley, Chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury, charts her walk with God and covid-
BBC 1: 13:15. Songs of Praise. 'Faith and Sport.' Aled Jones reflects on the links between faith and sport, from the London Stadium with input from sports people on their faith, Christians in Sport and hymns associated with great sporting occasions.
Please find attached the Readings and Homily for this week (courtesy of Redemptorist publications).
Also find attached the Diocesan and our Local Prayer Diaries.
PARISH MAGAZINE
You should by now have received the (bumper) novelty of an August Parish magazine, if not simply Click Here or let me know and you will. It has been fantastic to have so many contributors from on such a wide cross-
Thursday 6th Aug -
The story of the Transfiguration is told in Matthew, Mark and Luke and is referred to in 2 Peter. Each time it is made clear that God’s salvation is for all and Christ is the one who brings that salvation. The figures of Moses and Elijah represent the testimony of the Law and the Prophets and the event prefigures the resurrection. It has been described as a ‘hinge’ of the Gospels and one of the five major events in the ministry of Our Lord.
The post-
Holy God,
we see your glory in the face of Jesus Christ:
may we who are partakers at his table
reflect his life in word and deed,
that all the world may know
his power to change and save.
This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord
A powerful thought and hope for the week ahead!
With every good wish, keep safe and carry on taking care,
Nick
N P Heron
Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-
01939 232550
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Dear Friends,
Another glorious day on which to be emailing with some variable weather since my last bulk email. Likewise a varied email after yet another week, I hope the last week was good for you and all is as well as possible.
In line with what I've written in previous emails I will continue with this bulk email for the interim knowing that there are those for whom Sun worship is, understandably, still a step too soon. Also of course in this fluid situation things do change so, as so often, a quick update:
Face Masks: With effect from Sat 8 Aug the government has extended the mandatory use of these to include places of worship, this means that for all our services worshippers are required by law to wear masks. There may be circumstances when this may not be demanded by law (for instance a bride and groom) and the Church is waiting out on governmental confirmation of these [when?!], equally it may not be necessary for those taking part in leading a service to always be masked. From the current C of E website:
"These updates reflect our understanding of guidance currently being prepared by government………We will update our detailed guidance documents once the government has published the revised regulations and guidance. There are valid exemptions for some individuals and groups not to wear a face covering in these settings. In particular, those who are leading services or events in a place of worship, and those who assist them (for instance by reading, preaching, or leading prayer) do not always need to wear a face covering, although one should be worn .....if physical distancing cannot be maintained. This exemption does not apply to worshippers, who should wear face coverings consistent with the requirements for any other public space."
Please note again that the Occasional Offices (baptisms, weddings and funerals) continue but with restrictions on numbers attending, a maximum of 30 yet dependent on the size of church, and as always other safeguards will be in place. Any enquiries about these should always be addressed to myself in the first instance, circumstances and protocols are prone to change.
Our pattern of church opening for private prayer has now had to be modified for reasons of cleaning and limiting possibility of virus transmission which we know all will understand.
St Peter's Lee: will now be closed, as pre pandemic
St Luke's Weston: currently remaining closed
SS Peter& Paul's Wem: open every Mon and Fri 09:00 to 15:00
Last Sunday it was an absolute delight to have a Eucharist in every parish in our Benefice for the first time since early Mar. In each church the church wardens and I have tried our utmost to ensure services are taken as safely as possible -
WORSHIP FOR THIS SUNDAY 9 AUG (The 9th Sunday after Trinity)
Wem:
08:00 Holy Eucharist
09:45 Holy Eucharist
Lee:
11:15 Holy Eucharist
At each service we be adhering rigourously to physical distancing -
ON-
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.
As I type this week's service has yet to be announced.
Last week's service came from the Anglican Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham with a homily from the Bishop of Burnley, The Rt Revd Philip North, it is still available on-
THIS SUNDAY on BBC
Radio Four: 08:10. 'The Cross and Black Liberation'. Chine McDonald, a writer on race and faith, leads a service exploring the cross as a symbol of black liberation. Archdeacon of Croydon Rosemarie Mallet, Anglican ordained Augustine Tanner-
BBC 1: 13:15. Songs of Praise. 'The National Trust'. The Revd Kate Bottley visits Croughton Court in Warwickshire to hear how the National Trust was founded by Christian social reformers 125 years ago. She finds out about the site's rich 600-
Please find attached the readings and a Homily for this Sunday (courtesy of Redemptorist publications) and with thanks again to Mike and Bob for sorting out for me -
SATURDAY 15 AUG -
Luke Chapter 1 46-
Our Lady requires no introduction nor her Feast any explanation. ‘Our tainted nature’s solitary boast’ [Wordsworth]. This day is now celebrated as the major feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary throughout Christendom. “Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.” Saint Maximilian Kolbe.
The Collect for the day, perhaps one we can all join in praying at some pointy on this special day -
Almighty God,
who looked upon the lowliness of the Blessed Virgin Mary
and chose her to be the mother of your only Son:
grant that we who are redeemed by his blood
may share with her in the glory of your eternal kingdom;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
A thought for the week ahead:
A long time ago I read Paulo Coelho's 'The Alchemist.' the following quotation from this book can resonate with out faith and give us Hope:-
“When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”
Have the best week you can, remember the past is history, the future a mystery but the now is a present. Stay safe, keep taking care,
Nick
N P Heron
Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-
01939 232550
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Dear Friends,
May this find you well and despite the dreadful weather in the very best of spirits, you cannot say our British climate is boring! For all the variety of our local weather things are at present consistent on the church 'front' and our covid-
Our set NT reading for this coming Sun, Romans 12: 1-
It is important therefore to repeat my huge ‘thank you’ on all your behalf to the Church Wardens who have spared no time, thought or effort in working to make sure our churches collectively are as safe and covid secure as possible. There is necessary a caveat to this -
THIS SUNDAY; 11th AFTER TRINITY
08:00 Said Eucharist SS Peter & Paul’s Wem
09:45 Holy Eucharist SS Peter & Paul’s Wem
11:15 Holy Eucharist St Peter’s Lee
At each service we be adhering to physical distancing -
** 'Top Tip. When we necessarily sanitise our hands before communion this inevitably causes a bit of a necessary but awkward gap it also can lead to some of us trying against the odds to have dry hands before receiving. There is also developing a Benefice 'liturgy of the sanitisation of hands' 😄! If you have your own pocket size sanitiser why not bring this along? You can clean your hands in the pew, they will be dry before Communion and if you don't touch anything after sanitisation and before receiving it will be as safe. I'd suggest doing so immediately after the Words of Invitation. **
NB Next Sun (30 Aug) will be a Benefice Service at 09:45 in SS Peter & Paul's, Wem.
At present because of virus transmission and attendant cleaning issues only SS Peter & Paul's is open for private prayer, this within the limited times of Monday 09:00 to 15:00 and Friday 09:00 to 15:00.
Too aware that not all feel, as yet, able to resume Sunday worship this email will continue, for the time being, along with details of on-
ON-
08:00 The Eucharist (traditional language)
10:30. Choral Eucharist for the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity
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.
This Week: “We are never alone.” The Rev Fergus Butler-
THIS SUNDAY on BBC
Radio Four: 08:10 “The Inspiration of Listening.” Exploring the inspiration of listening with Anna Magnusson and Padraig O Tuama.
During this strange summer, the usually busy travels of poet and theologian, Padraig, and writer and broadcaster Anna, have been replaced by more stillness, offering opportunities to find solace in time spent listening deeply – to voices of the past, to nature, to breath and to spirit……........Surely something for all of us reflect upon!
BBC One. 13:15 Songs of Praise. Celebrating the Salvation Army.” The Rev Kate Bottley visits the Salvation Army’s Hadleigh Farm in Essex to meet staff and find out about its work, including food distribution during the pandemic. Kate also meets an officer from their homelessness unit and members of the International Staff Songsters, one a prison chaplain. Expect some joyous music for sure….
Please find attached the readings and a Homily for this Sunday (courtesy of Redemptorist publications) and with thanks again to Mike and Bob for sorting out for me -
Also find attached both the Diocesan and our Local Prayer Diaries.
ST BARTHOLOMEW. Monday (24th Aug) is the Feast Day of this Apostle.
It has long been assumed that Bartholomew is the same as Nathaniel who the gospels speak of being brought by Philip to Jesus. One of the Apostles he was unsurprisingly beside the Sea of Galilee at the resurrection appearance. Tradition tells us that Bartholomew, as the other Apostles, became a missionary and was martyred for his faith.
Almighty God,
who gave to your apostle Bartholomew grace
truly to believe and to preach your word;
grant that your Church may love the word which he believed
and faithfully preach and receive the same;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
A day to give thanks for the Catholic and Apostolic Church of which we are part and also to remember all who, like Bartholomew are persecuted, tortured and martyred for their faith (whatever it may be).
PARISH MAGAZINE
It is close to 'last orders' for inputs to our September Parish mag, after the treat of four bumper editions in a row wouldn't it be a shame to lose our momentum? There is still the opportunity to submit any items. Please pass to either myself or Pam.
A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
From someone who spent a good deal of their life in Wem, The Revd William Hazlitt: "Prejudice is the child of ignorance."
Hope to see you soon, keep taking care and stay safe,
Nick
N P Heron
Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-
01939 232550
-
Dear Friends,
I trust this finds you 'as well as', staying safe and bearing up in the light of some continuingly unseasonal, inclement weather.
We seem to have reached a point in our Church's adaptation to the coronavirus pandemic where we are doing as much as we can, yet for now progress no further. Certainly our local arrangements remain exactly as for the past two weeks and our Sun worship is establishing a pattern and familiarity as we grow used to how things may be for some little time yet. That familiarity should not blur our focus on the absolute imperative to keep as aware and show as much care as we can, for this continues to be a very pressing concern. Thank you for all of your responsible and 'can do' attitudes over the past month......let's keep up the teamwork and continue to follow directly the guidelines previously outlined and which you will now be well familiar with. If you wish for a resume of these previous bulk emails are readily available on the Wem church website
It is important to repeat my huge ‘thank you’ on all your behalf to the Church Wardens who have spared no time, thought or effort in working to make sure our churches collectively are as safe and covid secure as possible and also necessary to re-
At present because of virus transmission and attendant cleaning issues only SS Peter & Paul's is open for private prayer, this within the limited times of Mon 09:00 to 15:00 and Fri 09:00 to 15:00.
THIS SUNDAY; 12th AFTER TRINITY
08:00 Said Eucharist SS Peter & Paul’s Wem
09:45 JOINT BENEFICE EUCHARIST -
If you have your own 'pocket sized' hand-
Too aware that not all feel, as yet, able to resume Sun worship this email will continue, for the time being, along with details of on-
ON-
08:00 The Eucharist (traditional language)
10:30 Choral Eucharist for the Twelfth Sunday after Trinity
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. Previous weeks services, including some quite exceptional ones, are available on the C of E website.
This Week: “He gave his life for us.”. From the church of Holy Trinity, Platt, Manchester. Rev Dr. Paul Mathole reminds us that the way to find true life is to give our life to Jesus, just as he gave his life for us.
THIS SUNDAY on the BBC
Radio Four: 08:10 “Wild at Home.' Paul Kerensa leads prayers and preaching from this years on-
BBC One: 13:15 Songs of Praise. Blenheim Palace. Aled Jones visits Blenheim Palace to explore its private chapel and magnificent grounds. Laura Wright joins Oxford's 'Singabout' Inclusive Choir and learns how membership of the choir helps its singers
Please find attached the readings and a Homily for this Sunday (courtesy of Redemptorist publications).
Also find attached both the Diocesan and our Local Prayer Diaries.
CREATIONTIDE -
Creationtide or the Season of Creation is the period in our annual Church Calendar, from 1st September to 4th October, dedicated to God as Creator and Sustainer of all life.
The theme for the Season of Creation 2020 is Jubilee for the Earth. Jubilee is a time of rest for the land from exploitation, and to restore ecosystems and people.
Throughout this coming month join with countless Christians the world over in prayer for our planet, its fragile ecosystem and those prophetic voices straining so hard to change the direction of our common life so that the earth may flourish and future generations may celebrate the fullness of God's creation.
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.
Thought for the week: "The Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed." – Mahatma Gandhi
Keep taking care of yourselves and those around you, stay safe,,
N P Heron
Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-
01939 232550