I hope that all is well with you. In various conversations it is fair to say that many of us have found this lockdown more challenging than the previous ones. There is a sense of weariness and frustration – a ‘greyness’ which is reflected by the weather. We do seem to be edging towards a moment when we can all take another step on our journey and perhaps return to meeting together for worship in church.There are signs of hope and life around us – even in the Vicarage garden where the snowdrops are being joined by the crocuses and even one or two early daffodils. But these plants are fragile and tender and need to be treated carefully – as we all will need to be careful as we take tender and fragile steps forwards. We hope that you will all continue to look after yourselves and one another. As a Parish we continue to seek to ensure that we are in contact with as many of you as possible in as many ways as possible as we continue to seek to be with God, one another and all round us.
To address the physical well-being of Parishioners and other visitors, because of the transmission rates of the virus at present and the need to restrict contact and transmission from one household to another we will be ceasing public worship in the 3 Churches from Wednesday 6th January.St Mary’s will be open every day from 9am – Noon for private prayer. On Sundays it will be open from 8am – 9.30 and then from 11am – Noon.
We were due to share a short newsletter with you to assure you that you will be in our thoughts and prayers over the Christmas season. The announcement that looks like we are now in Tier 4.I know this will affect many of us and our plans and hopes for Christmas and I ask that we all hold each other in our prayers over the coming days - especially those who will be unable to be with their families and loved ones.I hope that we will continue to show the care and support for each other and those around us over these days and to contact especially those who may be alone or vulnerable.There is a glimmer of light in that the Prime Minister stated public worship can continue
A good Advent … Events in DecemberWe continue to seek to enable our events to resume as far as possible (please be aware these may change – we will try to keep you informed!)Sunday Nov 29th Advent Sunday 10am Live streamed service from St Mary’s 4pm Live streamed Advent ‘Carol’ Service at St Mary’sMonday to Friday Noon Eucharist at St Mary’s (from Dec 3<sup>rd</sup>)Saturday Dec 5th 5pm Fratton Awards at St Mary’s presented by FBL and Stephen Morgan MP Sunday Dec 6th 8am BCP Eucharist at St Mary’s 9am Eucharist at St Faith’s 10am Streamed Eucharist at St Mary’s 4pm Eucharist at St Wilfrid’sDec 7th to 11th 5pm FBL host a streamed performance each day linked to Festival of LightsSunday Dec 13th 8am BCP Eucharist at St Mary’s 9am Eucharist at St Faith’s 10am Streamed Eucharist at St Mary’s 4pm Eucharist at St Wilfrid’s Friday Dec 18th To be arranged– the sharing of Comfort and Joy Vouchers with agencies Sunday Dec 20th 8am BCP Eucharist at St Mary’s 9am Eucharist at St Faith’s 10am Streamed Eucharist at St Mary’s 4pm Eucharist at St Wilfrid’s 6pm Streamed Lessons and Music for Christmas from St Mary’s Christmas Eve (no Noon service) 5pm Streamed Nativity from St Mary’s – led by young families Early evening Mass of the Night for Christmas at St Faith’s & St Wilfrid’s 11.30pm Live streamed Midnight Mass from St Mary’s Christmas Day 10am Streamed Mass for Christmas Day from St Mary’s Saturday Dec 26th Daily Noon Mass continues Sunday Dec 27th Only service – a 10am streamed Eucharist at St Mary’s
