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Dear Friends,
What a week of glorious autumnal weather. I hope your own week has been on a par with this and all is as well as possible.
UPDATE
The hope with which I began last week has been, eventually, confirmed namely that the 'rule of six' does not apply to public worship, unless of course people attend or gather before, during or after in groups of more than 6 (unless from the same household or support bubble). In other words across the Benefice and during both our regular Sun worship and for the Occasional Offices matters remain as they were. Directly from the C of E website, revised 17 Sep:
"There is an exemption from the ‘rule of six’ that covers places of worship making it possible for more than six people to gather for acts of communal worship. However, it is not a blanket exemption and people must not mingle in groups of more than six unless they are from the same household or support bubble. • Government guidance permits a maximum of 30 people to attend church premises for a ‘life cycle event".
This and further updates may be found at: www.churchofengland.org
The national picture is sadly deteriorating and a real cause for concern; it should remind us, if we need it(!), of how important it is that we maintain our absolute emphasis on safety in our churches. This we are doing, and reviewing.
For places of worship to remain open and accessible the necessary precautions are imperative, now second nature, they are certainly not optional. In short:
* 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 -
* Follow any other guidance of the church wardens or sidespeople/welcomers
Please don't let the relaxed and beautiful surroundings of our lovely churches where we rightly feel 'at home' to lull us into a false sense of security -
THIS SUNDAY
08:00 Holy Eucharist in Wem (Quiet and reflective with no music or homily)
09:45 Holy Eucharist in Wem
11:15 Holy Eucharist in Lee
It remains understandably very much the case that not all are able to resume public worship as yet, our continued best wishes and thoughts to those, let us hope and pray we may meet soon. Equally, let us always remember that we do remain very much 'as one' in Faith, Hope and Love. Opportunities to connect on-
08:00 The Eucharist (traditional language)
10:30 Choral Eucharist for the Fifteenth 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. Previous weeks services, including some quite exceptional ones, are available on catch up through the link.
This never disappoints! This week 'Everyone is made in the image of God'. Led in part by the Rev Zoe Hemmings, from our diocese, recorded as part of the Church of England's national online service, celebrating the gifts of Christians with disabilities.
THIS SUNDAY on BBC
Radio Four: 08:10 'Where shall we put our trust?' At a time of enormous uncertainty with so much that was familiar swept away, many people are worried, apprehensive about what will happen to individuals, communities and nations as the result of covid-
BBC One. 13:15 Songs of Praise. 'Harvest in Saddleworth'. The Rev Kate Bottley marks harvest by visiting a Christian-
Please find attached the readings and a Homily for this Sunday (courtesy of Redemptorist publications). Also the fourth in a series looking in brief at the development of the liturgy of the C of E
Also find attached both the Diocesan and our Local Prayer Diaries.
RIDE AND STRIDE
Many thanks to all who sponsored this, after initial admin hiccups, it seems for all the restrictions and differences to have been as engaged in as ever. Especial thanks to those who rode and strode.
PARISH MAGAZINE
Yes already (!?) it is that time of the month again -
FEAST OF ST MATTHEW -
St Matthew: Apostle and Evangelist
Matthew Chapter 9. 9-
Matthew appears in the list of the 12 apostles, according to the Gospel written under his name was tax-
May we all find time at some point during the day to pray the following collect, thus uniting ourselves, as one, across the Church on this Feast Day:
Almighty God,
whose blessed Son called Matthew the tax-
to be an apostle and evangelist:
give us grace to forsake the selfish pursuit of gain
and the possessive love of riches
that we may follow the way of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK -
Each year on 21 September the World Council of Churches calls churches and parishes to observe the International Day of Prayer for Peace. 21 Sep is also the United Nations-
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
St Francis of Assisi
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” Martin Luther King
Please have the best week you can, take care and peace be with you, stay safe,
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 those closet to you in best health possible after a positive week.
UPDATE
I recall beginning last week by speaking of things, from a worship perspective, being 'considerably more settled', however you may well have thought that may not still be the case following the governmental announcements of earlier in the week. It would seem, whilst to be confirmed, that public worship will be unaffected by the '6 people rule', the latest update is on the C of E National website.
"The Government has announced that new regulations relating to the ‘rule of six’ are being prepared. Those regulation will not come into effect until Monday September 14 2020. The Church of England is engaging with the Government and will provide new advice to churches but we do not expect to be in a position to provide that until the week beginning September 14." This last update was at 09:30 on Friday 11th and also includes the important, if obvious, line that until we hear otherwise all previous guidance remains extant. This and further updates may be found at: www.churchofengland.org
The national picture (which is clearly a cause for concern) should remind us, if we need it(!), of how important it is that we maintain our absolute emphasis on safety in our churches.
For places of worship to remain open and accessible the necessary precautions are imperative, hopefully they are now becoming second nature, they are certainly not optional. In short:
* 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 -
* Follow any other guidance of the church wardens or sidespeople / welcomers
Please don't let the relaxed and beautiful surroundings of our lovely churches where we rightly feel 'at home' to lull us into a false sense of security -
Apropos the occasional offices and wider guidance there is no need now to reiterate these or how we have adopted them, if you wish to remind yourself, check these or if anyone has a query please go to the previous emails easily accessible on our church website at: www.wemcofe.co.uk
For all the above this Sunday is joyously one where all three churches in the Benefice have services and is as close to 'usual' as we might hope on the worship front.
THIS SUNDAY
08:00 -
09:30 -
09:45 -
11:15 -
It remains understandably very much the case that not all are able to resume public worship as yet, our continued best wishes and thoughts to those, let us hope and pray we may meet soon. Equally, let us always remember that we do remain very much 'as one' in Faith, Hope and Love. Opportunities to connect 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. Previous weeks services, including some quite exceptional ones, are also available on catch up through this link: www.churchofengland.org
This Sunday the details have yet to be announced, however, it never disappoints!
THIS SUNDAY on the BBC
Radio Four -
BBC One -
Please find attached the readings and a Homily for this Sunday (courtesy of Redemptorist publications). Also the third in a series looking in brief at the development of the liturgy of the C of E
Also find attached both the Diocesan and our Local Prayer Diary.
RIDE AND STRIDE
This takes place, on the usual Saturday of the year (the second in Sep) ie today as you read this. The funds raised through sponsorship go to support Shropshire Historic Churches Trust -
Please go to: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/ruths-
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
This week as you will see our Gospel reading focuses upon Our Lord's teaching of forgiveness, two thought inducing reflections:
"He that cannot forgive others, breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass." George Herbert
"As I walked out of the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison." Nelson Mandela
Have the best week you possibly can and stay safe, every good wish as always,
Nick
N P Heron
Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-
01939 232550
-
Dear Friends,
As autumn begins to fill the air and our season turns a corner may this email find you in the best of health, content and staying safe.
Staying safe continues to be the overarching intent in our common life, for the Church and our individual churches this has reached a point where matters seem considerably more settled. The guidelines for all our worship and other church activities are now well understood and across the benefice our individual parish responses adapted to a pattern which is becoming familiar. This priority of our care for each other is and will remain absolutely paramount as we move into our 'season of mists and mellow fruitfulness'. There is no need now to reiterate either the guidelines or how we have adopted these, if you wish to remind yourself, check these or if anyone has a query please go to the previous emails easily accessible at: www.wemcofe.co.uk
However, it is very timely to remphasise the requirement for and importance of physical distancing -
THIS SUNDAY
For the churches in our benefice these are:
08:00 -
09:45 -
11:15 -
[Please note that Weston's scheduled service for this Sun has been postponed to next Sun for reasons of cleaning and safety]
NEXT SUNDAY -
Wonderfully a full compliment of services across the benefice
Wem: 08:00 and 09:45 -
Weston: 09:30 -
Lee: 11:15 -
Understandably not all are able to resume public worship as yet, opportunities to connect 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 0900. Previous weeks services, including some quite exceptional ones, are available on catch up through this link
This Sunday: "Recognising teachers and staff as unsung heroes" -
THIS SUNDAY on BBC
Radio Four: 08:10. “Heaven is a noisy place.' In what promises to be a fascinating programme Neil MacGregor finds spiritual inspiration in the religious art of the National Gallery. The former Director of this and the British Museum is accompanied on his walk around the gallery's Sainsbury Wing with the Revd Lucy Winkett. After months of Covid and confinement today's service considers how community -
BBC One. 13:15. Songs of Praise. Clare Macollum visits the Eden Project in Cornwall, speaking to its founder and meeting some of their gardeners. There is also a meeting with members of Christian Surfers, celebrating their 30th anniversary......something to watch from England's largest landlocked county! Also a visit to Newquay and, in response to the pandemic, England's first drive in church........please don't get any ideas!!
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 Diary.
Alongside these, please also see attached the first two in a series of five very short articles, promised last week, giving a precis of the worship of the C of E and how distinctive this is, indeed as it quotes, our liturgy is "one of the glories of the Church of England" (or at least it jolly well should be!!). As the first article goes on to say -
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Following the week when the momentous March on Washington was remembered some timeless words from one of the main organisers, the C20th martyr, Martin Luther King:
“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”~ Martin Luther King Jr
Please keep safe and enjoy the coming week -
Nick
N P Heron
Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-
01939 232550
-
Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you having enjoyed a good Aug BH Mon, as I type the weather is rather up and down -
Please click here to read the Parish magazine for September.
Take care, stay safe,
Nick
N P Heron
Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-
01939 232550
-
Dear Friends,
I trust that this finds you and those closest to you in the best of health and hope that during the week something of the peace prayed for in the Prayer of St Francis (last week's email) has been present.
UPDATE
If I may begin by reiterating what I emphasised last week, namely that the 'rule of six' does not apply to public worship, unless of course people attend or gather before, during or after in groups of more than 6 (unless from the same household or support bubble). In other words across the Benefice during regular Sun worship this has ordinarily no direct impact as long as we maintain our intelligent physical distancing. However, for the Occasional Offices, there have been two significant changes:
Marriages are now limited to 15 attenders, including bride and groom.
Baptisms if these are separate from the main Sunday service, the limit is now set at 6. Should these be in the main act of worship then more may attend dependent upon the size of the church and usual congregation numbers.
It is important to stress that these are governmental directions, indicative of the increasing gravity of the situation.
Directly from the C of E website, revised 25th September:
'There is an exemption from the ‘rule of six’ that covers places of worship making it possible for more than six people to gather for acts of communal worship. However, it is not a blanket exemption and people must not mingle in groups of more than six unless they are from the same household or support bubble.'
'Government guidance permits a maximum of 15 people to attend church premises for a wedding. This is subject to the church carrying out a risk assessment and taking all reasonable measures to limit the risk of transmission of coronavirus. This maximum number includes all those attending the service, including the couple, witnesses and guests. Anyone working is not included as part of the limit on attendees, such as the officiant, musicians and vergers.'
'If the baptism is taking place as part of a regular act of worship the usual requirements for public worship apply ....From the 28th September, standalone life events will be subject to the ‘rule of six’ limits.'
Numbers for funerals remain at 30 for church services.
This and further updates may be found at: www.churchofengland.org
The national picture should remind us, if we need it(!), of how important it is that we maintain our absolute emphasis on safety in our churches. This we are doing, and reviewing.
For places of worship to remain open and accessible the necessary precautions are imperative, now second nature, they are certainly not optional. In short:
* 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 -
* Follow any other guidance of the church wardens or sidespeople / welcomers.
Please don't let the relaxed and beautiful surroundings of our lovely churches where we rightly feel 'at home' to lull us into a false sense of security -
THIS SUNDAY
One where, in spite of the deteriorating current pandemic scenario we joyously have a Eucharist in each church in the Benefice (Laus deo). For we can still and will continue to meet as a people of hope in the midst of so much concern, holding before God and one another the needs of all.
08:00 Holy Eucharist in Wem (Quiet and reflective with no music or homily)
09:30 Holy Eucharist in Weston
09:45 Holy Eucharist in Wem
11:15 Holy Eucharist in Lee
It remains understandably very much the case that not all are able to resume public worship as yet, our continued best wishes and thoughts to those, let us hope and pray we may meet soon. Equally, let us always remember that we do remain very much 'as one' in Faith, Hope and Love. Opportunities to connect on-
08:00 The Eucharist (traditional language)
10:30 Choral Eucharist for the Sixteenth 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. Previous weeks services, including some quite exceptional ones not least last weeks led in part by the Rev Zoe Hemmings, from our diocese, are available on catch up through this link.
This is always worth a watch, whether at the time or on catch-
THIS SUNDAY on the BBC
Radio Four: 08:10 -
BBC One: 13:15 -
Please find attached the readings and a Homily for this Sunday (courtesy of Redemptorist publications).
Also find attached our Local Prayer Diary, unfortunately our Diocesan Prayer Diary does not seem to be available for this week at present
PARISH MAGAZINE
This should be available at the beginning of the coming week and I will email to all.
OUR SCHOOLS
The Church Times carried an article with interviews from leaders in schools, including Church schools, highlighting how difficult and stressful this past six months has been for them and all associated with education. So many have worked tirelessly, including through the Summer, and prior to this the Easter 'break' to make our schools safe and enable our children's education to carry on, we owe them a debt of gratitude.....and our prayers. The Diocese of Blackburn has released the following prayer written by The Rt Revd Philip North, Bishop of Burnley,
Please remember especially the schools in our Benefice as you pray this; Thos Adams and St Peter's Primary and Nursery.
CREATIONTIDE
This season marked by countless Christians the world over draws to its close at the end of this coming week. It is a time of 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. This was mentioned at the start of Creationtide, it is mentioned at the end of the season as frankly we cannot pray too much for the whole area of climate crisis -
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.
'Only when the last tree has died and the last river been poisoned and the last fish been caught will we realise we cannot eat money.' Unknown. -
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
As we reflect all we still have to do as we respond to the coronavirus pandemic, Creationtide and climate crisis St Paul's words in our New Testament reading set for this Sunday are particularly powerful:"
'Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others'
May this coming week be the best possible for you -
N P Heron
Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-
01939 232550
LORD GOD, we ask you to pour your blessing on the schools of our nation. Give joy and curiosity to our children: that they may discover their gifts, grow in knowledge and learn to live well. Give wisdom and stamina to our teachers: that they may delight to inspire young minds and find contentment in their work. Give vision and good judgement to our head teachers, school leaders and governors: that they may guide our schools well and keep them safe in challenging times. Give courage and compassion to the people of our land: Protect us from fear and help us to act with calmness and kindness. Your Son Jesus Christ taught his disciples to follow in his Way. Inspire us by his example and strengthen us by his presence, for we make our prayer in his holy name. Amen.
-
Dear Friends,
Please find attached the October edition of the Parish Magazine. Very many thanks indeed to all the contributors.
Previously there has been a difficulty for some in opening, which Pam and I think may have been due to the size of the document. Just in case this might be so I will send out a subsequent version edited into two parts -
I hope this finds you well and enjoying our seasonally varied Autumn and that we speak soon.
Take care and stay safe,
Nick
N P Heron
Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-
01939 232550