Dear All,

An update for the weeks ahead.

If you haven't already experienced, seen or read of elsewhere, then we hope you are pleased with and encouraged by the news of our return to singing in church and refreshments being put on in a Covid-Secure way. 

Whilst many restrictions have been relaxed and are no longer written into law, our PCC does still have to act responsibly and continue with the risk assessment strategy and putting measures into place to maintain a Covid-Secure place of worship. Some people are still to return to church services, getting used to being together or just feeling a bit anxious about things. We hope that our approach of asking you to 'Respect Social Distancing and to be Cautious, Caring and Considerate to those around you' will be of assurance and comfort to all. 

Revd. Steve Nuth has recently confirmed that the planned 9am United Benefice Service at Battlesden for this Sunday 29th August has been cancelled. 

If you are a Milton Bryan resident then you are most likely already aware of UK Power Networks' plans in the village for carrying out electrical works with all of the activity and letters coming through our post boxes. The area in the village affected during this phase will be from London Road to Grange Farm Road - Church End. The closure will take place from 6th to 23rd September 2021. The road closure will be in place for 24hrs. Signage has been appearing recently to give good notice and do please follow diversions. 

We have church based activities planned within the aforementioned road closure period and I am informed these events will be worked around, these are: 

Saturday 11th September 09:00 am to 17:00 pm: The Church being Open for the annual Bike 'n Hike in support of the Beds & Herts Historic Churches Trust. All being well our popular Café Church will return for its first time in two years too! More information on the way soon. 

Sunday 19th September 10:30 am: Songs of Praise Service.

Sunday 26th September at 11:30am: Holy Communion Service. 

I will write again on access and parking nearer the time of activities and services. 

Some of the major items in the news in recent weeks have really been quite distressing haven't they?

So in closing, do please join me in prayer: 

Father God, we pray for the situation in Afghanistan and for the refugees, for those left behind, and for those remaining in the country and for all who live in fear. Father, we are thankful for the armed forces who have worked through such difficult circumstances and we pray for their continued protection and strength.

Heavenly Father, we lift before you Afghanistan and ask that your hand be on that place, we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.

We pray for an end to the Israel Gaza conflict and we continue in prayer for Haiti, Madagascar, Ethiopia and for so many other areas of the world who are struggling. We also pray for New Orleans as people brace themselves for Hurricane Ida and we continue to hold in prayer the Keyham community in Plymouth and the bereaved families of those whose lives were lost during the mass shooting on 12th August. Heavenly Father, may those who grieve feel your presence and love, we ask this in Jesus name, Amen.

Help us Lord, to be of support to those who are anxious and saddened by the news reported in these times. May you guide us to bring words of comfort, peace, love and joy and we bring before you now, in a moment of peace, those known to us who are unwell and in need. 

We praise you Lord and give thanks for the Paralympics, praying for safety, good health and enjoyment to all competing and to all involved. Father, we delight in the gifts and talents you give to so many on the world stage of the recent Olympics and now Paralympics and we praise you always. We thank you Lord for all of creation and the beauty of the earth, let us not take for granted your creation and may we see your hand in all that is around us. 

Father God, you know each and everyone of us and what is on our hearts and minds and we ask for your hand to be upon us, to guide us and protect us. We gather up our prayers and thoughts and lift them to you asking you to bless us on our way in the coming days, reminding us to pray for those not so fortunate. 

We ask all of this in Jesus' name, Amen. 

Take care, stay safe, stay well and enjoy the days ahead.
With every blessing,
Kelvin.