As you most probably know, from July 4th churches have been given permission to hold some services. This does not mean that we should rush headlong into something The PCC is trying to strike a balance between people’s possible desire to worship together in the Mass and the need for continued health and safety precautions.We have arranged for an 11am Mass to take place each Sunday in July. This will be a simplified version of our usual service and should last for approximately 30 minutes,The priests are well aware of the precautionary steps imposed upon them in the celebration of the Mass, and we are grateful to them for their help and support.The decision as to whether to attend and, if you do, whether to receive Communion, may be a difficult one for some. If you do come, you will be very welcome. If you feel you are not ready to take that step, rest assured that, as a member of our church family, you remain in our prayers and you will be very welcome in church at some future date.Talking of church family, it was good that so many of us were able to bid “farewell” to Tom as the hearse left his home for Pleasington Crematorium. It was a wonderful show of support for Angela and a fitting tribute in these restrictive times to a dedicated and cherished member of Saint Mary Magdalen’s. Tom loved his Lord and he loved our church. May he rest in peace.If you would like some pointers which we have put together about the running of the 11am service or if you have any other queries, do please contact one of usLorna (01254 237362) Pat (01254 872273)Keep well! Stay safe! Trust in the Lord!Lorna and PatHere are the designated readings for July5 July Trinity 4 Genesis 24 vv34-38,42-49 Ps 45 vv10-end Romans7 vv15-25 Matt 11 vv16-19, 25-end12 July Trinity 5 Genesis 25 vv19-end Ps 119 vv05-112 Romans 8 vv1-11 Matt13 vv1-9, 18-23 19 July Trinity 6 Genesis 28 vv10-19 Ps 139 vv1-11,23,24 Romans 8vv12-25 Matt 13 vv24-30,36-4326 July Trinity 7 Genesis 29 vv15-28 Ps 105 vv1-11 Romans 8 vv26-end Matt 13 vv31-33,44-52
With the relaxing of Covid 19 restrictions, from Sunday 5th July we will be having an 11a.m. mass. However, this will be in one kind only and will be without hymns, so a shorter service.To minimise any risk the now 'normal' social distancing and sanitising rules will apply.
We hope that this message finds you in good health and coping with the challenges of life at the moment.As you are probably aware, churches have been given permission to open their doors from 13 June. Please bear in mind that this is for private prayer only.The PCC have been considering the implications of this. It is essential that we make decisions which are possible and safe for all concerned.This is what we have decided to do:- St Mary Magdalen’s church will be open on Sunday 21 June and every following Sunday from 10.30am to 12noon. We must stress that this will be for individual prayer only. This is an opportunity for us to be in God’s house and have a talk with Him, not with anybody else! That should be done outside, at a safe distance!We shall take the necessary precautions:-1. Entry by the main door only2. A one way system of entry and exit3. Hand sanitisers for use on entry and exit4. Designated pews (places 2m apart – this may change as regulations change) in the nave only. The Lady Chapel and Chancel will not be available5. No books/sheets will be available. By all means bring your own Bible, Prayer Book etc.6. No access to downstairs – no toilet facilitiesIt is regrettable that we cannot just fling wide the church doors and invite everybody in for a service. But we trust that, with God’s help, we shall eventually be able to do so. For the time being, we are limited by circumstances and we must follow Government/Diocesan advice. We are trying to strike a balance between health issues and a desire to worship God in His house as a congregation. But, wherever we are, we are God’s family and He is with us.Let us rejoice and be glad in Him!Churchwardens and PCC members
JUNE THOUGHTSWe do hope that when this message reaches you it finds you well and keeping on keeping on!Life is rather like a rollercoaster at the moment, isn’t it? Some days we feel fine and others we are not so sure and have to make an effort to get back on an even keel. But amidst all the turmoil of present days we do have one anchor – God’s love. He will keep us rooted in what is right and will bring us His peace. He will always listen. So whether we tell Him we are sad, complain to Him that we are fed up, shout at Him because we think things are wrong, or thank Him for His blessings, He will listen. Let’s give it a try in prayer!On Sunday 31 May we celebrate Pentecost. What an awe-inspiring and uplifting experience that must have been for the disciples! Enjoy reading the account of it in Acts. Let’s feel uplifted and reassured by it! “Feel the power!”Feedback tells us that some of us are enjoying the Sunday morning services on radio and television. Some are watching the Diocesan service on YouTube. May we remind you that there is plenty of material of all sorts available on the Diocesan website – www.blackburn.anglican.org7 June Trinity Isaiah 40 vv 12-17,27-end Psalm 8 2 Corinth 13 vv 11-end Matt 28 vv 16-2011 June Corpus Christi Gen 14 vv18-20 Psalm 116 10-end 1Corinth 11 vv23-2 John 6 vv 51-5814 June Trinity 1 Gen 18 vv1-15 Psalm 116 10-17 Romans 5 vv1-8 Matt 9v35-10v821 June Trinity 2 Gen 21 vv8-21 Psalm 86 1-10 Romans 6 vv1b-11 Matt10 vv24-3928 June Trinity 3 Gen22 vv1-14 Psalm 13 Romans 6 vv12-end Matt10 vv40-end
