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By now most, if not all, of you will have heard the announcement received at 1:30 pm Tuesday 17th March from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York that, in light of the Government’s latest strategy to combat the life-threatening effects of the Coronavirus pandemic in our country, ALL public worship services in Church of England churches will be suspended with immediate effect until further notice. Although it deeply saddens me that we will not be able to offer everyone in our community our usual worship service provision – and most especially the annual services celebrating Mothering Sunday as well as the many special provisions offered during Holy Week and particularly Easter Sunday – it is, of course, absolutely vital that we do all that we can to protect everyone’s health and well-being, and particularly the most vulnerable members in our village community. As the wide-ranging effects of the pandemic become increasingly evident – including not only worrying risks to life, but also huge financial, social and emotional strains on many – the resources of our Christian faith as well as our resolve to work together as a village community for the good of all are deeply important over the next several months. Even though our usual church services (and also including the Monday Afternoon Drop-In, Little Fishes, Messy Church, Spirit Café, Dementia Coffee Mornings, Wednesday Craft Club and the Ecumenical Lent Course) are all subject to the suspension, I wish to reassure everyone that the ministry of All Saints Parish Church will continue to offer, throughout this difficult and challenging period, both spiritual and practical support through other avenues available to us, including: A welcoming church building which will remain open and available for individual prayer, space for spiritual reflection, and lighting of prayer candles every day of the week (from approximately 8am to 8pm) Daily prayers offered by the clergy for everyone’s health and well-being during this particularly challenging time For those who would appreciate confidential prayer concerning their specific health or other needs, the ministry of our Prayer Chain is available alongside prayer support from the clergy A telephone ministry, offering safe contact and personal support especially to those who face isolation and its debilitating effects Our on-line digital Parish Magazine (delivered free of charge to your computer’s inbox) which is published monthly and offers much local information pertaining to community services and support Continuing to provide a collection point for contributions to the Lichfield Food Bank, which is relied upon by an increasing number of people in our locality A wide range of resources and information addressing a variety of needs is available on the Pastoral Care Team display unit in church Occasional special resources made available in church to aid personal prayer, spiritual development and the celebration of key events (for example, Holy Week and Easter) Working in partnership with Alrewas Surgery, Alrewas Methodist Church, local businesses and willing residents, to organise a safe and effective means of providing neighbourly practical support for those who are confined to their homes and who may appreciate assistance with, e.g. delivery of food items, prescriptions from the local pharmacy, etc. In all these ways, we desire to continue to support and serve the needs of those in our village community to the best of our ability and available resources…..please feel welcome to contact me on 01283-790486 or via e-mail at revdjohnallan@revdjohnallan.plus.com for further information, assistance, or if you would like to explore ways you could help play a part in blessing our community at this time of great challenge and great opportunity!With my continuing prayers for your health and well-being,Revd. John Allan, Vicar
As we all begin a brand new year and decade, and ask God prayerfully for ‘2020 vision’ to help us make the most of life’s opportunities and choices in this New Year, I offer you this insightful and entertaining story to help you sort out what’s most important to you….“When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar…and the coffee…A professor stood before his class with some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with good-sized rocks. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They all agreed that it was.The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the rocks. He asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured the contents into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up the space between all of the rocks and pebbles. He asked once more whether the students thought the jar as full. This time, they responded unanimously with a resounding ‘YES!’ The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the remaining space in the sand. The students laughed.As the laughter subsided, the professor said, ‘Now, I want you to recognise that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the truly important things – your faith, your family, your health, your friends, and your favourite passions – things that, if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter….your job, your house, your possessions.The sand is everything else…the ‘small stuff.’ Now notice that, if you put the sand in the jar first, there is no room for the rocks or the pebbles. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.Pay attention to the things that are critical to your fulfilment and happiness as a human being – especially your relationship with God, and quality time with your family and friends, cherishing all that you share together. In other words, take care of the ‘rocks’ first, the things that really matter – set your priorities. The rest is just sand.’One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. ‘I’m glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend!’”With every blessing for a rich, full and fulfilling New Year to all ! Vicar John
