Dear Friends,
I trust you are all keeping well. It seems so strange not to have seen you for so long – probably like everyone else, I am having withdrawal symptoms. Please do all you can to stay safe.
This letter comes with the next service for Palm Sunday. During this difficult period our buildings might be closed to keep us all safe, but the church, the people of God, are still here, working together in every way we can to keep our fellowship together. And all of us want to do as much as we can to support each other in whatever way we can. And God is still with us, sharing our fears and frustrations, supporting those who turn to him in prayer.
Despite our physical separation we can still walk the way of the cross with Christ during Holy Week. The ministers in the town had a virtual meeting yesterday, and we have arranged that the Good Friday Pilgrimage will go ahead in a virtual sense, from 5pm – 6pm. You will be able to access it on YouTube. I will also prepare services for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday as planned and these will be available to all who have signed up, for you to share, and also on our Facebook page.
I was reading a letter from the Bishop of Lichfield to his diocese, and I’m sure he won’t mind if I share a little of it with you. He says “I believe that our churches, set at the heart of every community, have a major role to play in rising to the social challenges which this virus presents to us. And we also have an important witness to make in showing that we are all in this together”. At times of fear and anxiety, it is so important that all of us, as the people of God in this place, pull together and continue to witness, as we are able, to the saving love of Christ, and to the reality of what God has done for us in raising Jesus Christ from the dead.
I know that all our elders are working very hard to keep in touch. If you would value a chat with me, please either phone or get in touch by email. (01334209743, 07714749988, mjpdht@gmail.com)
With every blessing,
Marion
