A message from Revd. Catherine McBride, vicar of St Mary'sI know that people must be feeling very anxious at this difficult time and my thoughts and prayers are with you all. The past few days have seen the situation changing almost every hour, but we have now received confirmation from our Archbishops that our usual pattern of Sunday services and mid-week gatherings must be put on hold. <Guidance letter from Archbishops attached>At St Mary’s this will mean the following services and gatherings in church are no longer taking place, until further notice:Sunday 8.30am and 10.30am services and any evening services, such as the Iona Communion.Wednesday 9.00am Morning Prayer or 7.00pm Compline services, or Philippians talksThursday 10.00am CommunionSaturday 9.00am monthly prayer gatheringsOur church team will be looking at alternative ways of ‘doing and being church’, using social media and other on-line ways of worshipping and staying in touch, so watch this space. We are also going to look into ways that we can keep the church building open for certain periods during the day, as a place for private prayer.We will be communicating with Homegroup Leaders soon, but under the circumstances these groups should no longer meet in person. Instead I encourage groups to find ways to stay in touch and support one another and we will be suggesting ways that groups might be able meet ‘virtually’.Baptisms, Weddings and FuneralsWe are still awaiting some clarification and further guidance from the Church of England, but this suspension of public worship and gatherings may have an impact on how we conduct baptisms and weddings. If you have a baptism or wedding booked with us in the next few months, we will contact you to discuss this. We are currently determining what changes may need to be made to the way we conduct funerals. Again, we will contact you to go through these when we have more specific information on the kinds of restrictions being imposed. The Archbishops and other church leaders have called for a day of prayer and action this coming Sunday - Mothering Sunday (22nd March). Wherever you are this Sunday, please do join us in praying for our Government and nation, for each other, and especially for those who are sick or anxious, and all involved in our health and emergency services and, as an action, place a lighted candle in your window at 7.00 p.m. as a sign of solidarity and hope in the light of Christ that can never be extinguished. We know that being church is so much more than simply what goes on in our building on a Sunday. I want to encourage us to be united in our prayer and practical support for one another and our community. Can I especially ask you to carry on supporting our local foodbank where you can and buy extra provisions for it if you are able, so that they can continue to give much needed help to those in real need. Thank you. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
