All those on our Electoral Roll are invited to attend our Annual Parochial Church Meeting to be held in the Church. This year we our meeting is on Monday 24th May starting at 7pm
A message from the Bishop of Liverpool and Bishop of Warrington: Dear sisters and brothers, It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. Our deepest condolences on behalf of the Diocese of Liverpool, will be expressed to Her Majesty The Queen and other members of the Royal Family with the assurance of our prayer. Bishop Paul writes:- "First of all our prayers are with HM the Queen, and all her family, on the death of the Duke of Edinburgh. We pray that God’s love and strength will fill and surround her and them, and indeed all who mourn. Prince Philip was a strong individual, full of character and humour, who chose for the whole of his life to use that strength and character to serve and support - to support the Queen and to offer service to the nation as a whole. He accompanied the Queen many times on visits to Liverpool and our region over the years, on each occasion enriching and encouraging our communities here. We thank God for his life, and commend him now to the mercy of our Lord." Bishop Bev adds:- “Prince Philip’s long life of public service and his unstinting support of the Queen over more than 70 years of marriage have contributed immensely to the life of the nation, the Commonwealth and beyond. He will also be remembered for his personal initiatives and support in many spheres, not least his encouragement of young people, particularly with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, founded in 1956. His Royal Highness is held in the heart of our nation and his death will be deeply felt by many.” May we invite you to join us in remembering His Royal Highness in prayer with these words: Blessed Jesus, Lord of Lords and King of Kings, we give you thanks for the life of Philip, Duke of Edinburgh . for the grace and mercy he received from you, for his faithful love and support of Her Majesty, The Queen, and his service to this nation at home and abroad. Enfold him in your everlasting arms grant him rest and raise him up at the last in the company of the saints in light. Amen We remember, too, the Royal Family in their bereavement. O God, our sovereign and shepherd, who brought again your Son, Jesus Christ, from the valley of death, comfort, we pray, The Queen and all the Royal Family with your protecting presence. Fill them with your Holy Spirit; and with your heavenly peace; and bring them at the last to your everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen Please note the government have advised against using physical books of remembrance. You can place your messages of condolence on any of the following online condolence books:-The Royal website: www.royal.uk/condolence St Helens Council website: www.sthelens.gov.uk/dukeofedinburghThe Church of England website: Remembering His Royal Highness Prince Philip | The Church of England
Within the Governments guidance, the detail on public worship is as follows: "You can attend places of worship for a service. However, you must not mingle with anyone outside of your household or support bubble. You should maintain strict social distancing at all times. You should follow the national guidance on the safe use of places of worship.” Because there is an insistence in these guidelines for people NOT to mingle with one another across household groups, whether before or after the service within the Church building or outside After careful consideration by the PCC the decision has been made to close our church during the national lockdown. This decision was a difficult one to make but it was felt that for the safety of those who attend and taking into consideration how this variant of the Covid virus is highly transmissible there was no other option open to us. The Bishop of London says “I would urge everyone in our churches to pray for those on the front line in our public services - the NHS and those working in social care, for schools and many others on whom we depend; and for parents and carers of children at this anxious and stressful time. “There is hope. The vaccination programme is underway and, as Christians, we have a deeper hope in God that comforts us beyond fear itself. As we have been remembering this Christmas Season, even in the midst of our darkest fears, that hope brings light.” A Prayer from Paul Bishop of Liverpool Almighty God, In the birth of your son You have poured on us the new light of your incarnate Word And shown us the fullness of your love; Help us to walk in his light and dwell in his love That we may know the fullness of his joy; Who is alive and reigns with you, In the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God, now and for ever
