Lifting RestrictionsAs you will be aware, the government are planning to lift most remaining Covid19 related restrictions on the 19th July. This will open up new options for our worship and fellowship. However, due to particularly high cases in East Lancashire we need to proceed with caution. Below is an outline of how we intend to ease restrictions over the next two months. From the 19th July:- Communion will be distributed in both kinds (bread and wine) but reassurance given that it's OK to choose to only receive in one kind - Words of administration reintroduced at the distribution of Communion- People can choose to stand or kneel when receiving Communion- The rows of chairs that have been removed will be put back in- Congregational singing reintroduced including the singing of the Gloria and Angus Dei - Collection of details for Track and Trace will continue- People invited to share a sign of God's peace in a way that they and those around them feel comfortable with- People can choose where to sit and who to sit with- For Parish Eucharists the St Paul's Chapel Chairs are a designated 'Social Distancing' zone where people are asked to remain 2m from those not in their household or bubble and to wear face coverings. People are invited to sit here if they would find that reassuring or more comfortable- Everyone will be encouraged to wear face coverings entering and leaving church and when moving around but can take them off when seated During August:- At the 9am Parish Mass on the first Sunday of the month people will be invited to receive Communion at the high altar once more- Servers will be reintroduced including processing in and out and processing the Gospel, but the choir will not process in or out. Only clergy will distribute the chalice. - People are invited to exit by either the main door or the Lady Chapel door. Clergy will greet people at the main door after services but won't shake hands- Refreshments will be shared outside after the weekly Parish Eucharist (Family Service on the 1st Sunday) weather permitting - The Social Distancing Zone will stay in place for Parish EucharistsFrom 1st September onwards:- Eucharistic ministers begin distributing the chalice again- Refreshments will be shared inside after the weekly Parish Eucharist (Family Service on the 1st Sunday) - The choir will recommence processing in and out - The Holy Water stoops will be put back into church and filled - The collection plate will be passed around and the collection and elements will be processed forwards during the service- Holy Eucharist on Friday will take place in the Lady Chapel (this may be possible sooner that September) - The Social Distancing Zone will be reviewed Please feel free to speak to Father Alex or Rev Kat if you have any worries or concerns about the lifting of restrictions.
Exciting New from Father AlexAt St Matthew's church we were very fortunate to receive some generous donations from the general public after the BBC News item back in December. We appointed a working party in how best to use the resource we received and ensure St Matthew's could continue to serve the parish whilst being fit for the future. We have taken our time to consider how we could do this regarding the church space and it was clear we needed to be outward looking, beyond our regular and unchanged Eucharistic services.Subject to permission being granted by the Archdeacon, the PCC has authorised a temporary re-ordering of the church (for 18 months) to create opportunities for education, worship, prayer, socialising, community engagement and events. This will mean rather than putting all the chairs back after Covid-19 restrictions we will be putting some back and removing others to create a 'space' to offer to the community inside the church (all chairs that have a dedication plaque will be kept in use). The worship area will be more intimate and we look forward to 'unlocking' things (more on that below).We will implement tables, chairs, catering, and a food bank area. The Lady Chapel will soon return to a chapel used specifically for Holy CommunionWe will be exploring new ways to worship, outside of our regular Eucharistic services, which remain unchanged. The Breakfast club will move into the church space.We will be exploring the possibility of opening church everyday, serving 'decent' complementary coffee and offering fellowship to our parish.We will offer mental health support to those who need it and signpost the most vulnerable people in our parish to the correct people who can help.We will be partnering ecumenically, and with charities, who can provide support. We will offer pastoral care and support to the most vulnerable people in our parish and beyond and support other churches in their work if required.We will continue to grow our relationships with our church school and our friends from other schools in the local area.We are now part of the Inclusive Church Network and we will ensure people of all backgrounds, colour, religion, sexual identity, disability will be made welcome and encouraged to explore their faith. We plan to make the church more accessible and user-friendly.This is a exciting time for St Matthew's and as the Vicar I recognise change can be difficult, but also that change is sometimes necessary. We will continue our work humbly. This is a thought-through approach to try something different and we hope it is well received. As the Vicar I genuinely recognise this is a huge shift for the congregation and unchartered territory for our church but I do believe it offers us the opportunity for growth.Please note, this is a St Matthew's church project and not in conjunction with any other church or churches, although we will support other churches if required and we are able.The aesthetic and appearance of our beautiful church will fundamentally remain the same, and visitors old and new will still recognise it as it was. It has always been our intention to preserve the beauty and attraction of St Matthew's.This update may arouse some questions, and myself and Rev Kat are happy to take questions or your concerns at anytime.May these agreed changes help us to further spread the Gospel of Jesus, particularly to those who need it most.Please keep God's church of St Matthew's in your prayers.Fr Alex.
Quality leadership is integral to growing healthy churches serving our urban estates. Therefore, the M:Power project aims not just to make new Christian disciples but to grow new leaders so that Church life becomes sustainable in the long-term. This means ordained leaders called from and trained in the estates. Crucially it also means lay leaders formed in a way that is culturally and contextually appropriate. In this latter respect the project offers a resource to all the urban parishes of the Diocese and pioneers work from which others can learn.Please take a look at this video to find out more about M:Power training opportunities coming to Burnley in September 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GIMHbycjbQ&list=PLyXO7pBXeHHWIYYLjNxM-1vTHnVbvgdGL&index=4More information can be found at the following website: https://mpowertraininghub.wixsite.com/mysite/about-us
The Sandford St Martin Trustees’ Awards celebrate individuals, organisations or programmes that have made outstanding contributions to the public understanding of religion, ethics or spirituality through broadcasting.For 2021 the Trustees decided they’d like to pay tribute to the exceptional work done by so many broadcasters and content-makers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. After a long deliberation, from the many inspiring and innovative entries and nominations received, the Trustees chose four which they feel exemplify the power great broadcasting has to impact and inspire even in the most difficult of circumstances.Coronavirus has exposed and exacerbated social inequalities: the more deprived the community, the higher the death rate. This was brought into stark relief by BBC News who embedded themselves with church leaders in Burnley, Lancashire. Their reports gave viewers a rare insight into both the resilience of one of the nation’s most vulnerable communities and of the vital role grassroots organisations have played in supporting them. The impact of the BBC’s reports was extraordinary. Broadcast across a multitude of platforms, they helped generate donations reaching nearly half a million pounds – money that local Pastor Mick Fleming has said will save lives. Father Alex from St Matthew's Church was also featured in this news story which highlighted the high levels of food poverty in Burnley.If you missed the story, click on this link: BBC News for BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 4 and BBC 5 LiveSt Matthew's church would like to take this opportunity to give thanks to Pastor Mick, Father Alex and the team from the BBC. Congratulations to Ed Thomas, Phil Eddo and Louise Martin for their courage to bring a Christian piece to the forefront of the British media in the context of urban deprivation. A big thank you goes out to all volunteers of food banks across the country for the work that you do to serve people less fortunate than ourselves.
