Please join us in wishing a very happy anniversary to the Rev Ian Whitehead who was licensed to lead our Churches one year ago tonight. It has been a year of trials for him I am sure, including repeated flooding at South Wingfield, a stone through one of the stained glass windows at Crich and now a virus which has closed the doors on both of our beloved Church buildings.There have of course been high points including the Rev’s “banana Christingle” which is also my favourite so pictured below!We are so grateful to Ian and his wonderful wife Christine for sharing themselves with our Church communities through these troubled times whilst bringing incredible moments of God filled joy.May we share many more times both good and bad with Ian and pray that we will all be physically back together soon. God bless him and Christine.And as Ian would say MIZPAH!! (The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another)Joanne Morton Benefice Secretary
Revd Ian writes:I’ve been signing my emails with the word MIZPAH.What does this word mean though? It comes from Genesis 31v49 “May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other. In Victorian times this was a common phrase for use on rings or some jewellery. I had a MIZPAH wedding ring and now I also have a tattoo of it too! The word means ‘watch tower’ and refers to the time Jacob and Laban separated but still wanted to acknowledge that the Lord watched over them both. It seems appropriate in the current situation, for us as a church, to consider that although we are apart from one another, Jesus remains the One that unites us even through the physical spaces [2 metres] between us. Therefore, when I write MIZPAH I write to you: may Jesus watch over us while we are physically apart, until we come together once more.Be Kind to one another – Support one anotherand Love one another… It’s still that simple
In response to the Coronavirus outbreak, our own lockdown, isolation, and the fact our churches are closed, we have responded fast by developing the CSW (Crich South Wingfield) Digital church. A way to help people access resources and prayers where ever they are.We encourage you to subscribe to the following resources:Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxCqvLA_shl10iwJmCGsVkASoundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-629282275We also encourage you to like and follow our Facebook page for updates and news: https://www.facebook.com/CrichSouthWingfieldChurches/Please remember us in your prayers while we adjust to the new challenges and difficulties of making our ministry digital and available to as many people in our community as possible.God Bless You
From 2020 the morning service is beginning at 10am and no longer 10.15am.For some that'll mean getting up slightly early for others it means getting home slightly earlier.It's swings and roundabouts but to be able to say "see you at 10" is easier than saying see you at 10.15amSome of the service pattern is changing too: our evening services are taking on a life of their own. For those who like continuity the Prayer Book service on the fourth Sunday remains, Live Worship@7 remains, the two Evening Services will develop and vary from month to month but will still be at 6.30pm. Look out for our weekly update, and check updates on our Facebook Page.
