Letter from the vicar 19th March 2020

19th March 2020

Dear reader

I hope you are keeping well in the light of present circumstances.

Please be aware that in accordance with Church of England guidelines all public worship services at St. Barnabas Church are currently suspended, this will also include our Annual Parochial Church Meeting scheduled for Sunday 29th March at 9.30am, as well as the regular groups that meet in the Parish Centre.

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York wrote a letter to all clergy this week explaining their thoughts about the current situation. You can also find information from the Oxford Diocese at https://www.oxford.anglican.org/coronavirus-covid-19/ 

Please bear with us while we work on how to be a Christlike presence in our community during these difficult times for everyone.

You may like to begin this coming Sunday, which is Mothering Sunday, and in accordance with the archbishops suggestion, place a light in your window at 7.00 p.m. as a sign of solidarity and hope in the light of Christ that can never be extinguished.

Some other Church of England worship resources you may find useful, including prayers and guidance on making a spiritual communion, are: Midweek worship at home and Spiritual communion.

You may also wish to use this prayer at this time:

Loving God,
We pray for all those who are suffering because of the coronavirus, may they know your healing power.
When we are afraid for ourselves and our loved ones, give us your strength and courage.
When we feel alone and isolated, reassure us with a sense of your presence.
Give wisdom to those in authority and may our community work together for the good of all.
We give thanks for those who care for others and ask you to bless them in all they do.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, healer and physician.
Amen

(With thanks to the Diocese of Bath and Wells for this prayer.)

Yours in Christ

Rev. Derek Chandler