Rectors Message

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2nd October 2020 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dear Friends,

Please find attached, as promised, the October Parish magazine Part 1 and Part 2 for those who may have struggled to open due to the size.

However, top tip for all. The Parish Mag is readily available and easily accessible to read on the Wem Parish Church website - simply go to www.wemcofe.co.uk/links.html. If you ever have difficulty opening in the future whilst we are still distributing electronically please click on the link to read any Parish Magazine.

As most, if not all of you, will know Allan Scott DFM recently passed away. Allan was a much cherished and respected member of SS Peter & Paul's for many years, a loyal member of the choir and regular reader at services. Far more than this his service in the RAF for many, many years from WW2 Spitfire 'ace' through over 80 different aircraft types as a test pilot and display pilot was the like of which we will never see again. Allan was laid to rest on Wednesday and you may wish to view his funeral service, details are attached, it couldn't be simpler once you have clicked on the link.

'Rest eternal grant unto him O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him.'

Every good wish,

Nick

N P Heron

Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-under-Redcastle

01939 232550

Updates From the Rector - October 2020

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Week Commencing 4th October 2020 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dear Friends,

Well, another week - and this time one which sees no additions or amendments to our Covid guidance or governmental stipulations. So perhaps a slightly shorter bulk email than usual, nonetheless one sent with the same sincerest best wishes that you are keeping well, staying safe and continuing to adapt.

UPDATE

I have outlined in some detail the state of play for Church services and the Occasional Offices, so no need for repetitive re-elucidation, except to stress one thing apropos the 'rule of six' - which on occasion has caused some confusion - 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.

Any updates during the week should our local or national circumstances dictate may be found at: www.churchofengland.org

Should you wish to refresh your awareness details are on the Wem Parish Church website, click on 'messages from the Rector', scrolling across the bottom of the home page at www.wemcofe.co.uk

The national picture shows how important it is that are assuredly maintaining safety in our churches.

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 - the 2 metre rule

* 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 could be too easy. What we are discovering is that these sensible precautions still allow for a depth and meaning to our worship - indeed many have reflected on what they have gained from the difference in emphasis or nuance.

QR CODES - Track & Trace App

If you have downloaded the Track & Trace App each church in the Benefice now has a QR code, clearly displayed from this Sun, quite obviously do please use this as elsewhere. **Top Tip** please don't wait until you enter to start to find you phone, have this ready to avoid queuing and ease congestion and so ease maintaining physical distancing.

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

Opportunities to connect on-line or through other media for this Sun are: -

LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL

08:00 The Eucharist (traditional language)

10:30 Choral Eucharist for the Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity

Access the C of E website to find details of this week's service which you can also watch during the week, it’s available from 09:00. Previous weeks services, which are invariably well worth watching are available on catch up through the Church of England web site.

This is always worth joining, whether at the time or on catch-up, this week:

"Celebrating the 'forgotten heroes' of Covid-19" This online service celebrates those who have helped keep food on our plates during the pandemic. Sarah Spencer, from the Diocese of Lincoln, and Nick Shepherd, from the Diocese of Southwark, lead the service, with contributions from farmers, lorry drivers and supermarket workers.

THIS SUNDAY on BBC

Radio Four: 08:10 'Song of the Prophets.' Marking Black History Month.

This Black History Month the service explores the theme that Black Live Matter everywhere through the lens of climate injustice, poverty and inequality around the world. Leader: Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, CEO of Christian Aid which is marking its 75th anniversary this year.

BBC One. 14:00 [nb the slight change of time]. Songs of Praise. The Rev Kate Bottey goes on a very personal journey across York's and Nott's to share the story of her Christian faith through the people, places and music that have shaped and inspired her. She begins by returning for the first time to the church in Sheffield where she was baptised as a baby, she shares her firm belief that God had His hand on her life from that point on.

Please find attached the readings and a Homily for this Sunday (courtesy of Redemptorist publications).

Also find attached our Local Prayer Diary and our Diocesan Prayer Diary.

Continued best wishes to all of those who, understandably, are not as yet able to resume Sunday worship. let us hope and pray that the day may not be long off when all our congregations are able to be together again. Until then please be assured and know you are in the thoughts and prayers of those who are meeting and we are ALL still completely united in Faith, Hope and Love.

PCC AGM/APCMs

The legal requirement to hold our annual meetings (no later than 30 April) was deferred due to the pandemic, however, these must still be held and no later than by the end of this month.

Therefore (St Peter's Lee having managed to hold its meetings pre-Lockdown) these will be:

SS Peter & Paul's Wem: Monday 19 Oct at 19:30 (preceded by Mass at 19:00) note: there will be a ZOOM meeting for the Wem PCC at 19:00 on Tue 6 Oct.

St Luke's Weston: Monday 26 Oct at 19:30

ANIMAL WELFARE SUNDAY

This appropriately falls on the nearest Sun to the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, actually a Sun this year being 4 Oct.

It is a central tenet of our faith that all of creation is a gift from God to be hallowed accordingly; treated with gratitude, respect and care. Our calling is to be wise and humble stewards of the beauty of creation. Therefore some words from St Francis for me to ponder, perhaps you too?

'If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.' St Francis of Assisi.

And an ancient prayer from a Father of the Church, St Basil the Great:

For those, O Lord, the humble beasts,

that bear with us the burden and heat of day,

and offer their guileless lives for the well-being of humankind;

and for the wild creatures,

whom Thou hast made wise, strong, and beautiful,

we supplicate for them Thy great tenderness of heart,

for Thou hast promised to save both man and beast,

and great is Thy loving kindness,

O Master, Saviour of the world. Amen

St Basil the Great

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

'Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.' Desmond Tutu

Have the best week that you possibly can, take care, stay safe,

Nick

N P Heron

Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-under-Redcastle

01939 232550

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Week Commencing 11th October 2020 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dear Friends,

May I begin, as always, with my very best of wishes to all - with my hope that the past week may have been as good as possible and that this finds you as well as can be. Sometimes it scarcely seems like a week has passed since my last bulk email, however, pass it has and our season of Trinity rolls on

UPDATE

There is no need this week to dwell on our Covid-response in church as things are, for us, static remaining as for they have been for the past few weeks.

However, as the national picture continues to see (as widely predicted) an increase in the trajectory of the virus we must ensure that we follow safe practice at all times both individually and in our places of worship. That is absolute diligence in physical distancing, hand-washing or sanitising, wearing masks wherever advised and keeping to the rule of six.

Any updates during the week should our local or national circumstances dictate may be found at: www.churchofengland.org

Should you wish to refresh your awareness of the details for our churches these are on the Wem Parish Church website, click on 'messages from the Rector', scrolling across the bottom of the home page.

QR CODES - Track & Trace App

If you have downloaded the Track & Trace App each church in the Benefice now has a QR code, clearly displayed, so quite obviously do please use this as elsewhere. **Top Tip** please don't wait until you enter to start to find you phone, have this ready to avoid queuing and ease congestion and so ease maintaining physical distancing.

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

Opportunities to connect on-line or through other media for this Sun are: -

LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL

08:00 The Eucharist (traditional language)

10:30 Choral Eucharist for the Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity

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, which are invariably well worth watching are available on catch up through the link. Do visit the site, there are some super services on here.

This week: 'Celebrating Chaplaincy in Care Homes'. This online service celebrates chaplaincy in care homes.

Debbie Thrower, founder of Anna Chaplaincy, leads the service, with contributions from care home chaplains and residents, as well as a poetry reading from Bob Weighton, once the oldest man in the world.

ON THE BBC

Radio Four: 08:10. 'The Priory and the Pottery.' Ewenny Priory in the Vale of Glamorgan is one of the UK's most remarkable Norman buildings, this year marking the 900th anniv' of its dedication. Nearby Ewenny Pottery has been worked by the same family since at least the 1600s. As we are shaped by our turbulent times, historic continuity can be a source of strength and inspiration. A service led by Canon Edwin Counsell with reflection from the Bishop of Llandaff, the Rt Rev June Osborne.

BBC One. 13:15. Songs of Praise. 'Prisons Sunday.' At the start of this Prisons Week Claire McCollum is in the Clink restaurant in Styal near Manchester, where inmates from the nearby prison are being given the chance of a fresh start in life by being trained in the restaurant. Pam Rhodes meets former politician, now ordained priest, Jonathan Aitkin in London to hear about his journey from prison to pulpit. At Lambeth Palace, Pam finds out about the Church of England's free Daily Hope phone service now also available in prisons across the country.

As the Bishop of Dover, the Rt Rev Rose Hudson Wilkin, calls for a change in attitudes towards asylum seekers, one can hear from the Christian charities helping refugees on the South coast.

There are some absolutely stunning hymns this week and I'd guess a high % of us would find one of our all time favourites sung during this episode.

Please find attached the readings and a Homily for this Sunday (courtesy of Redemptorist publications).

Also find attached our Local Prayer Diary and our Diocesan Prayer Diary.

Continued best wishes to all of those who, understandably, are not as yet able to resume Sunday worship. Let us hope and pray that the day may not be long off when all our congregations are able to be together again. Until then please be assured and know you are in the thoughts and prayers of those who are meeting and we are ALL still completely united in Faith, Hope and Love.

PCC AGM/APCMs

The legal requirement to hold our annual meetings (no later than 30 April) was deferred due to the pandemic, however these must still be held and no later than by the end of this month.

Therefore (St Peter's Lee having managed to hold its meetings pre-Lockdown) these will be:

SS Peter & Paul's Wem: Monday 19 Oct at 1930 (preceded by Mass at 1900)

St Luke's Weston: Monday 26 Oct at 1930

ST LUKE'S DAY

This year the Feast of St Luke the Evangelist falls on a Sunday - obviously, I suppose, the first time in 6 years and the next time will be 2026. This therefore a great opportunity to commemorate such a major figure of our faith and the timeless teaching of the Gospel. An opportunity to bring some extra light, colour and celebration into our Sunday worship - not least for Weston whose Patronal Festival this is. Do try to attend this particular Sunday, as you are able.

HOMELESS SUNDAY - 11 OCT

'for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me'

Ever since Our Lord's words the plight of the homeless has been rightly a great a concern to Christians, as it was for the prophets of the OT. A day to remember, as the nights grow longer and colder and with the growing rate of covid infection the many needs of the homeless and the brilliant work, often unseen, by those who commit themselves to support those so vulnerable in our midst.

Please take some time to remember and pray for the homeless at this time. Do go to: https://togethernetwork.org.uk/whats-new/homeless-sunday-2020-by-housing-justice there you will find a wealth of material including and on-line message from The Most Rev John Davies Archbishop of Wales and a homily from The Rt Rev Rob Wickham Bishop of Edmonton.

Almighty God

Who loves all his children and is a home to those who are in need or trouble. Inspire your Church with the Spirit of Christ’s Love.

Empower us to battle the injustice of homelessness with compassion and to show each person in need your kindness.

Protect us and protect people, especially the most vulnerable, from Covid. Heal those who are sick.

Give us your wisdom and your steadfast perseverance in this next season.

And help us to live in the unity of the body of Christ, as we follow you.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

To link with the above some timeless words of the Prophet Isaiah:

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:

Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Then your light will break forth like the dawn,"

Keep taking care and staying safe, with every good wish,

Nick

N P Heron

Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-under-Redcastle

01939 232550

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Week Commencing 18th October 2020 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dear Friends,

This is sent, as always, with the very best of wishes and hope that you are as well as possible and doing everything you can to stay safe.

UPDATE

In common with the last two weeks there are no developments for ourselves in relation to coronavirus, across the Benefice matters remain the same. However, I have been asked apropos the 'rule of 6', so to be clear, this does not apply to the numbers who may attend Public Worship, it does however mean that before and after (and if you were thinking of it during!) worship we must refrain from 'mingling' with more than 6 not from the same household or support bubble.

Public Worship, in Places of Worship, is exempt the 'rule of 6'. From the C of E website as of today:

Permitted as an organised gathering provided any person attending is: • alone or • part of a group of not more than 6 or • part of group all from the same household or from two linked households; and must not join any other group or mingle with any person from another group.

This for our Tier, i.e. Tier 1.

Any updates during the week or should our local or national circumstances dictate may be found at: www.churchofengland.org

QR CODES - Track & Trace App

THIS SUNDAY THE FEAST OF ST LUKE THE EVANGELIST

A major day in our Christian Calendar and, of course, the Patronal Festival of one of the churches in our Benefice. Happy Patronal Festival to all at St Luke's, Weston!

08:00. Holy Eucharist in Wem (Quiet and reflective with no music or homily)

09:45. Holy Eucharist in Wem

11:00. Holy Eucharist in Weston

11:15. Holy Eucharist in Lee

Opportunities to connect on-line or through other media for this Sun are: -

LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL

08:00. The Eucharist (traditional language)

10:30. Cathedral Eucharist for Luke the Evangelist and Anti-Slavery Day

09:00 Sunday: ' A Cross-Cultural Celebration of St Luke'. This online service is a cross-cultural celebration of St Luke.

From the Diocese of Blackburn, the service is led by Rev Sarah Gill, featuring contributions from the Rt Rev Dr Jill Duff, Bishop of Lancaster, and the Rt Rev Julian Henderson, Bishop of Blackburn.

THIS SUNDAY on BBC

Radio Four: 08:10. 'The One Who Heals.' A celebration of the Eucharist, live from Croyden Minister, on the Feast of St Luke, patron saint of Physicians.

As well as being the author of the Gospel that bears his name - and of the Acts of the Apostles - St Luke was also a 'physician'. His feast day is particularly significant this year as it falls during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. It provides an opportunity to give thanks for all those who work in healthcare, and to call to mind those who continue to struggle with the effects of the virus in their own lives, and in the lives of others.

BBC One. 13:15 Songs of Praise. 'Cheddar Gorge.' Aled Jones visits Cheddar Gorge to hear the origins of the hymn 'Rock of Ages' and Gemma Hunt meets worship leader Martin Smith and new Christian Group Bright City.

Please find attached the readings and a Homily for this Sunday (courtesy of Redemptorist publications). Also find attached our Local Prayer Diary and our Diocesan Prayer Diary.

PCC AGM/APCMs

The legal requirement to hold our annual meetings (no later than 30 April) was deferred due to the pandemic, however, these must still be held and no later than by the end of this month.

Therefore (St Peter's Lee having managed to hold its meetings pre-Lockdown) these will be:

SS Peter & Paul's Wem: Monday 19 Oct at 19:30 (preceded by Mass at 19:00)

St Luke's Weston: Monday 26 Oct at 19:30

ANTI-SLAVERY DAY - SUNDAY 18 OCT

Anti-Slavery Day takes place on Sunday 18th October. It provides an opportunity to raise awareness of human trafficking and modern slavery, and encourage government, local authorities, companies, charities and individuals to do what they can to address the problem. Much, appropriate, attention of late has focused on the unspeakable horrors of historic slavery and this legacy it is, however a blight on humanity which has not gone away. There are more people in slavery in the UK than you might think. It’s estimated that 1 in every 700 people in Britain are in slavery. That’s enough adults or children to fill Wembley Stadium. I hope that shocks you as it shocked me for slavery and exploitation have no place in society. Do visit: www.antislavery.org/anti-slavery-day-2020 or parallel sites, they really are a salutary eye-opener, the Church is rightfully drawing attention to this scourge, not least many of our major cathedrals. Please pray for all who endeavour to remove this evil:

Lord of creation, we thank you for all who are working to combat modern slavery:

for governments and agencies,

for Church and other faith leaders, for charities and individuals.

Help us to be part of love’s movement,

to work for a world where human beings are valued, free to come and go,

where no one is enslaved,

no one used against their will for another’s pleasure or need.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Martin Luther King

N P Heron

Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-under-Redcastle

01939 232550

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Week Commencing 25th October 2020 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dear Friends,

Well, having just come in from outside as I write this the season has certainly changed! Nonetheless the warmth of my very best wishes and the drive in sending this remain undimmed. May this email continue to find you taking care, staying safe, in good spirits and enable your remaining connected with both your church and its latest developments re the pandemic.

Firstly though, for those able to attend on Sunday, a word to the wise, do forgive me for reminding you but please note that the clocks change this weekend as BST ends. I always found it hard to remember which way to move the clocks until I heard the simple phrase: 'Spring forward, fall back'.

UPDATE

In common with the last three weeks church matters re the pandemic remain absolutely the same. So the briefest of 'updates' namely that whilst the R rate is rising our churches in the benefice are as covid-safe as possible, are compliant with all the guidance and our worship absolutely continues - the 'Rule of 6' not applying to our worship, although it does to any gathering before or after. Care and concern for all remain our priority, a sense of continued mindfulness for those around us.

If you are unsure about exact details for how things are impacting these are in previous bulk-emails and quickly available with a mere click on the following link, scrolling across the bottom of the home page: www.wemcofe.co.uk I am very grateful to Mike Farmer for continuing to keep these updated for us.

Any Church updates during the week or should our local or national circumstances dictate may be found at: www.churchofengland.org

QR CODES - Track & Trace App

THIS SUNDAY - the LAST AFTER TRINITY (BIBLE SUNDAY)

It was splendid that last week St Luke's Weston were able to celebrate their Patronal Festival with a visit from Bishop Sarah (scheduled ages ago) still able to take place. Services for this Sun:

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

And.......advance notice for next week, 1 Nov, the beautiful ALL SAINTS SUNDAY our services will be:

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

Opportunities to connect on-line or through other media for this Sun are: -

LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL

08:00 The Eucharist (traditional language)

10:30 Cathedral Eucharist for The Last Sunday after Trinity (Bible Sunday)

Access the C of E website to find details of this week's service which you can also watch during the week, it is available from 0900. Do visit the site, there are some super services saved on here all of which are well worth a look at, some are quite splendid.

09:00 Sunday: ' A Celebration of Bible Sunday'. With the Rt Rev Emma Ineson Suffragen Bishop of Penrith

From Holy Trinity Kendal, the Bishop of Penrith is joined by people from across Cumbria, including two newly ordained clergy, in this celebration of Bible Sunday.

THIS SUNDAY on BBC

Radio Four: 08:10. 'Bible Sunday.' Join The Rev Dr Sam Wells and St Martin's Voices. They explore the difference between reading the Bible, thinking we know what it is saying, and letting the Bible read us, allowing our idea of ourselves and the world to be turned upside down

BBC One: 13:15. Songs of Praise. 'Remembering Black History.' For Black History Month, guest presenter Mark De-Lisser visits the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool. He meets the director, Dr Richard Benjamin, to find out about Britain's involvement in the slave trade and the role the church played at the time. We hear of the ambition to create what would become the country's first memorial to the enslaved and the rector of Liverpool shares why he is passionate about offering the grounds of St Nicholas' Church, which was once the city's main burial ground, as a home for the memorial.

There is a special performance by composer Alexis Ffrench of his own composition inspired by the faith poem 'Footprints in the Sand' and other music comes from across the UK, including poignant hymns written during the period of the slave trade. The daughter of Christian peacemaker Nelson Mandela shares what she feels her father would have thought about the Liverpool garden being built in his honour.

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 is currently unavailable for this week.

PCC AGM/APCM

The legal requirement to hold our annual meetings (no later than 30 April) was deferred due to the pandemic, however, these must still be held and no later than by the end of this month.

St Luke's Weston: Monday 26 Oct at 19:30

PARISH MAGAZINE

This will be drawn together at the start of the coming week, so any inputs to Pam or myself as soon as you are able please, it is good to be able to keep the momentum of this growing as it did during the initial stages of the pandemic.

SS SIMON & JUDE - FESTIVAL 28 OCT

Whilst Simon and Jude are recorded in the gospels of Mathew, Mark and Luke as being among the 12 apostles we know very little of them. (Indeed there is even mild ‘confusion’ as to the title of Jude.) Nonetheless they must therefore have been very significant figures in the ministry and life of Jesus. Simon is described as the ‘the Zealot’ indicating he belonged to the nationalist resistance to Roman occupation. Jude’s name is of course remarkably close to that of Judas Iscariot, owing to this his name was rarely invoked in prayer and it is possible that interceding through him was often seen as a last resort – thus he has become known as the ‘patron saint of lost causes’.

They are joined together in commemoration because on this day in the C7th a church which had acquired their relics was dedicated, in Rome, to their memory. They are joined far more deeply, eternally, as members of that privileged 12 who accompanied Our Lord through his ministry. The collect for this day which we might all join in saying at some point on 28 Oct:

Almighty God,

who built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,

with Jesus Christ himself as the chief cornerstone:

so join us together in the unity of the Spirit by their doctrine,

that, we may be a holy temple acceptable to you;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Just to get you thinking at the start of the week which begins as we commemorate Bible Sunday:

“You Christians look after a document containing enough dynamite to blow all civilisation to pieces, turn the world upside down and bring peace to a battle-torn planet. But you treat it as though it is nothing more than a piece of literature.” Mahatma Gandhi

"It's not the parts of the Bible I don't understand that bother me, it's the parts I can." Mark Twain

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalm 119. verse 105

With every good wish, stay safe and take care,

Nick

N P Heron

Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-under-Redcastle

01939 232550

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