The plan for the October Connected was thrown into disarray by the sad death of her Majesty the Queen. Several articles were set aside because the events associated with them were reduced in scale.We welcome Philip McDonald who writes the Dear Friends piece, which features her Majesty. We also hear from Barbara Richardson about the Mothers' Union meeting that included a visit from Diocesan President Hilary Castle.I report on the St Wilfrid's Flower Festival that filled the Parish Church with beauty. The proposed Wine & Cheese, and Concert Evenings were withdrawn sadly, but they will take place in the future which is something to anticipate.
My dear friendsWe are all, I am certain, deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty the Queen. The suddenness with which it came has also, for many, come as a shock.As a local community of Christians here we share in our nation’s grief, we acknowledge the profound significance of this moment in our nation’s, and indeed the world’s, history, and, even in the midst of uncertainty, we look to the future with hope.Below you’ll find some information about how we at St Wilfrid’s and St Francis churches will be marking the Queen’s life and passing during this official mourning period.I do hope you will be able to benefit from some or all of the opportunities here.In the meantime, I am sure you will join with me in giving God our deepest thanks for this remarkable woman of God, and in praying for her family, especially our new King, Charles III.BlessingsRev PeteAt St Wilfrid’s, Brayton:St Wilfrid’s Open: -For the duration of the mourning period, St Wilfrid’s will be open daily from 9am-5pm for quiet prayer and the opportunity to sign a Book of Condolence.Sunday 11th Sept: -This Sunday’s 10.30am service at St Wilfrid’s will not now be the advertised Family Communion Service, but a Service of Holy Communion marking the death of the Queen. -We do hope technology will allow us to livestream the service. -I will email out another Additional Sunday Sheet tomorrow suitable for this service.Flower Festival Weekend: -The Flower Festival will go ahead, but not the wine and cheese event on the Friday evening or the concert on the Saturday evening.16th-18th Sept -This was a very difficult decision to make, not least given all the work that Sue Beevers, Martin Millward and others have already put into the event, and I know there will be many who will be very disappointed. However, I felt that whilst the nature of a church full of flowers would still be in keeping with the national period of mourning, the other 2 events would not be. -We will reschedule the concert, and use it then as a way of celebrating the Queen’s life. -Any tickets already bought will, of course, be valid for the rescheduled event.Service of Commemoration: -A service to mark the life and death of the Queen will take place at St Wilfrid’s on Sat 17th Sept 2pm. (This will be changed if the funeral happens on the 17th).At St Francis, Thorpe Willoughby:Saturday 10th Sept: -St Francis' church will be open for prayer between 11a.m. and 2 pm tomorrow.-There will be the opportunity for private prayer or to light a candle -Prayers led by Rev Roy Shaw or Jackie Jackman will take place on the half hour and the hour during the time the church is open.
This month Jackie Jackman writes the ‘Dear Friends’ text, on the importance of the art of listening.Elsewhere, the Mothers’ Union celebrate the life of Mary Sumner, and Jill Clarke reports on Open the Book at Barlow primary school. We also receive a postcard from Hilary Putman from Australia, via Linda Crackles, which includes a cracking picture of little Jemima and a teddy.And I'm pleased to include a portion of the presidential address given by the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, to the General Synod. (I had to stand up whilst writing that sentence; I still feel a little dizzy…)Finally, we look forward to the St Wilfrid’s Flower Festival in September. As usual I made up the rest.
