Rector’s Message
As a benefice of parishes we tend to work independently of each other apart from sharing a parish magazine.The pandemic has changed all that. The wardens of each of our parishes have come together on a monthly basis to decide collectively the way forward for us in terms of the worshipping life of our parish.
We met again last week to consider what next in the light of the current crisis. We have decided to maintain a cautious approach, mindful that nothing significant has changed which indicates we are any safer until a vaccine is developed. We had a wide ranging discussion about what we should do in terms of parish worship moving forward. The key factors we were weighing up were three fold. Firstly, the demographic of our parish in which the vast majority of us are 60+, making us much more vulnerable to the virus. Secondly, the small numbers of worshippers at most churches, and thirdly the not inconsiderable amount of work it would take to make our buildings safely compliant with government and diocesan regulations. Consequently we have concluded that the obvious place to begin opening up for worship will be Hatton, the pattern beginning in September (September 13th at 10 am for a non Holy Communion service. )We will hold a regular service on the second Sunday of each month and a Zoom service at 10 am on the last Sunday of each month.
We recently hosted an open air service in the churchyard of St Mary’s Haseley at which 30 of us gathered on a beautiful summer’s evening. We have decided to hold a similar service at Haseley on Sunday 30th August at 6 pm.
A reminder that we are also hosting a Zoom service this Sunday 16th August at 10 am. If you would like to join us please get the log in details in advance from Carole at 07988 957 376