Dear Brothers and Sisters in ChristWe wanted to write to you today to offer you advice and encouragement at this very difficult time for the whole of our country. Please find attached to this letter some careful guidance. We write this letter having consulted with the bishops across the Church of England and are grateful to them for their wisdom and help.Thank you for all that you do and will continue to do as disciples of Jesus Christ and ministers of the Gospel. We recognise what a very unusual and painful time this is for everyone and we want to stress that we are praying for you all and are very grateful for all that you are doing.It has always been the historic vocation of the Church of England to be the church for everyone. William Temple, one of the great Archbishops of Canterbury and York of the last century, is often quoted as saying that we are the one organisation which exists for the benefit of its ‘non-members’. As the challenge of the coronavirus grips the world, and as the Government asks every individual and every organisation to rethink its life, we are now asking the Church of England in all its parishes, chaplaincies and ministries to serve all people in a new way. Public worship will have to stop for a season. Our usual pattern of Sunday services and other mid-week gatherings must be put on hold. But this does not mean that the Church of England has shut up shop. Far from it.We need to look at new ways of serving everyone:1. Where you can and where it is prudent, we encourage all clergy to continue their pattern of daily prayer and, if it is your practice and can be done within the constraints as set out, a daily Eucharist. It is vital to observe strictly the protocols of hygiene and, where necessary, self-isolation and social distancing. This will not be public worship that everyone can attend, but an offering of prayer and praise for the nation and for the world.Please do of course keep the church buildings open for private prayer wherever possible as we know so many do all the time.2. If churches and worshipping communities have the resources to live stream then they should do so. This will enable the people of God and anyone and everyone who looks to God for support and meaning in this time of crisis to participate in the life of worship at home. At the same time, both nationally and in our dioceses, we will produce and provide resources for prayer and worship in the home. This will be especially important for those who are self-isolating, but also for the benefit of everyone.3. Many people are going to suffer during these coming months as the coronavirus reaches its peak. Tragically there will be deaths and so many will be grieving and fearful. We, the Church of Jesus Christ, with our sisters and brothers from other Christian churches, must be in the forefront of providing practical care and support for the most poor and the most vulnerable, and we offer our services to all those who are beginning to think through how best to provide for those in need.Being a part of the Church of England is going to look very different in the days ahead. Our life is going to be less characterised by attendance at church on Sunday, and more characterised by the prayer and service we offer each day. We may not be able to pray with people in the ways that we are used to, but we can certainly pray for people. And we can certainly offer practical care and support. Please do carry on supporting the local foodbank and buy extra provisions for it. Ensure the night shelters wherever possible are kept open. There are many very encouraging schemes happening right across our country in communities to focus on caring for the most vulnerable, so do continue to play your part in those.Then by our service, and by our love, Jesus Christ will be made known, and the hope of the gospel – a hope that will counter fear and isolation - will spread across our land.We have called, along with our fellow church leaders, for a day of prayer and action this coming Sunday - Mothering Sunday (22nd March). Mothering Sunday has always been both a day of celebration for many and a sensitive and emotional day for some. Wherever you are this Sunday please do join in this day of prayer and action and remember especially those who are sick or anxious, and all involved in our Health Service. As one action, we are calling on everyone to place a lighted candle in their window at 7.00 p.m. as a sign of solidarity and hope in the light of Christ that can never be extinguished.This is a defining moment for the Church of England. Are we truly a church for all, or just the church for ourselves? We urge you sisters and brothers to become a different sort of church in these coming months: hopeful and rooted in the offering of prayer and praise and overflowing in service to the world.Please, therefore, join us in this great challenge; and pray for our Government and nation, for each other, and especially for those who work in our health and emergency services.With every blessing,+Justin Cantuar +Sentamu Eboracensis
Dear friendsChurch is ChangingI am writing to let you know about our response to the recent Corona virus (COVID 19) outbreak in the UK. You may have heard that the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have issued guidelines for Church of England Churches and a copy of their letter is posted as a separate item.For everyone in Sapcote and the surrounding area this is an extremely worrying and challenging time. Most people are ‘social distancing’ with some self-isolating at home. The local churches (All Saints and Methodists), in partnership with the Good Neighbour Scheme and the Parish Council will be offering assistance via a letter to all village residents in the next few days. Having recently recovered from a respiratory virus, I am all too aware of the importance of receiving help from others in a time of need. Please ask for help whenever you need it, and encourage others to ask too.We will be following the Church of England guidance at All Saints Church by postponing Sunday worship until further notice. However, we will be opening All Saints Church building for private prayer. This will be each Thursday, 9.45 am – 10.30 am and each Sunday from 11.00 am – noon, for the time being. There will be prayer stations available. The Foodbank collection point will be open by the font. Handwashing facilities will be available and we will be asked to keep our distance from one another. If you are self-isolating, have a cough, or are not sure whether to come along, please stay at home. You might like to consider setting aside these times for prayer at home. There will be more resources available to help us to pray at home. BBC TV and radio will be broadcasting more Christian worship – so please check for re-arranged schedules, especially this Sunday. Also, if you have access online there will be live broadcasts, including podcasts from the Archbishop of Canterbury. Please check the main Church of England website – https://www.churchofengland.org for more details and for updated advice and information.All Saints Church Hall will be closed for the time being so that it can be exclusively available for the doctor’s surgery. Furthermore, all other Church meetings/activities cease for the time being including Little Saints, Bellringing, Annual Meeting and Lunch, Parochial Church Council, etc. You may also be aware that All Saints Church of England Primary School is closing today, Friday, 20 March.During these unusual times, which coincide with the Season of Lent, I hope that we will spend plenty of time in prayer, reading and reflection. We may discover new ways of being Church that will last far beyond the current crisis. Jesus comes to bring love, health, peace and hope to a fearful, anxious and despairing world. Jesus never gave anyone a virus or disease, rather he healed people. Therefore I hope that we can follow His example by keeping healthy, by being compassionate to those who become ill and by praying for, and giving our fullest support to, our health-workers on the frontline.Things are changing quickly and I will keep you updated when there is further significant change. Thank you for all your support, keep in touch and keep healthy.With love and prayersRev Mick Norman
On Saturday 16th November, here at All Saints, Sapcote, we hosted the Tear Fund Big Quiz Night. Tear Fund were aiming for this quiz to be hosted in as many places as possible at the same time on the same night around the country. Many of you will have heard of this Christian charity who help those living in poverty around the world. We had a great evening! 42 people attended forming 8 quiz teams of all ages ( ranging from 6 years to quite a lot of years more than that!). We started off with a hearty meal of jacket potatoes and fillings, followed later by cakes and fruit. . No charge was made , but donations were given to Tear Fund and nearly £220 was raised.It was a wonderful time of fun and very friendly competition and all teams gave a very good performance. The winning team went home with a large tub of chocolates to share to celebrate their success. We look forward to the Big Quiz of 2020 when we hope you will come and join us. Start preparing now!!
Early in September, St Helen's Sharnford hosted a wonderful service led by Bishop Richard. Four candidates - Andy, Claudia, Joshua & Natasha - from our benefice were confirmed, one of whom was also baptised, by Bishop Richard. He declared this an enormous day when the four said 'Yes' to God and God said 'Yes' to them. In addition to that Bishop Richard formally enrolled Matt from our benefice into the Church of England.The atmosphere was a truly joyous one and each candidate was well supported by family and friends.The occasion concluded with a splendid buffet.
