Friends,
In light of all that is happening with Coronavirus, I thought I’d write a quick update.
First of all, at least for tomorrow (March 15th) we will be meeting as normal at Emmanuel, Rectory Farm and Boothville. New advice and guidance from the government and from our sponsoring denominations is coming out all the time so things might change for future weeks, but for now, if you wish to come and join us tomorrow, please do.
Some things to look out for:
1. When we have communion, we will be using bread only and not wine from chalices or small glasses for now.
2. When we share The Peace in Communion services, please share it verbally rather than physically.
3. We will not be offering anointing or other forms of prayer that involve physical contact during this period.
4. Sadly, but rightly, we have been advised not to serve refreshments at services. This will of course include Emmanuel’s Cafe Church service next week, but covers all services.
I am in the process of completing a Coronavirus Continuity Plan for the Group of Churches with the help of many others. We will have this completed asap. One aspect it contains is the question of when we stop meetings or events that we run. We will follow the guidance we are given and act prayerfully about this and will keep in touch with you all as regularly as we can.
We must all be getting fed up of being told to wash our hands, but please do wash them thoroughly and regularly.
I myself am someone who could be considered ‘vulnerable’. We as a Church family have many amongst us who might be considered vulnerable too. In these uncertain times, I am praying. A lot. I’d encourage you to do the same. Pray for those around you, pray for the people in your street. It seems fairly likely that this virus will become more common and widespread amongst us. It might mean that there are people at home isolated for long periods of time. If that happens, I want to encourage you to pray all the more, to trust God and to ask Him to be merciful and kind.
Alongside praying, we can keep in touch with each other. I am seeking to form a team of folks who will keep in touch with members of the Church family, phoning, messaging etc regularly so that no one feels they are alone. This is something I would like to see us doing in more ‘normal’ times, but especially now. If you’d like to be involved in something like this, please do get in touch with me and I will arrange things.
So, to close, please do:
Keep praying
Keep trusting God. He really is trustworthy.
Keep being sensible. Take care of each other and yourself. Think of other people. I bet there’s someone thinking about you.
Follow the advice we are given. The people giving it are doing their best and giving their best estimate of the right way to handle this. They’re just like you and I except they know about the science of these things. You probably don’t. I certainly don’t. The internet is not your friend in this instance.
and please don’t
Panic
Give in to fear, It’s natural to be uncertain. God is good. Whatever happens, He remains good.
Panic buy. It’s just not helpful and in fact could be very damaging to others. Think of other people
In the event that services and gatherings are cancelled in future, we will find ways of keeping in touch and providing worship, prayer and teaching. The internet IS your friend in this instance.
Every blessing to all who may read this.
Haydon
