UPDATES AND USEFUL
INFORMATION (1st April 2020)
As I said last week,
there is lot of information out there.
It’s great, but we all end up sometimes wondering where to look.
I am feeling a bit like
the lost sheep in the parable – which is maybe why I chose that passage for my
latest brief reflection on YouTube. I am
not going to repeat all the links provided previously, but if you want to find those,
either you
can do a search in YouTube on ‘paul r whittle’ – or the link is - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOisCXiElqiJSYoq_EolF8w
Also, as previously
stated, I will post all the general emailings we send out, together with other
identified useful documents. Hopefully, you can scroll down the list of posts
and find what you want. You might find it with the help of google, but there are
quite a few Eastern Synods around the world, so the link might be best - https://urceasternsynod.blogspot.com/
One of the key elements
in our response to the situation is, or should be, prayer and I was sent a collection
of prayers that has been compiled from around the world, which you might like
to explore. I have posted it on the blog. The direct link is:
CHURCH SERVICES
There is a lot out there, a good chance
to join in a variety of worship if you wish.
There is a list on the main URC website, but a couple I am aware of from
within the Synod:
Ipswich
Road URC website is hosting recorded services by one of the Norwich Area
ministers each week-they can be found at https://ipswichroadurc.org.uk/
you just need to click on the picture icon saying worship and it goes straight
to it. Past services are also on the site-all under the Tab "Worship
Together".
Additionally,
there is a "Messy Church at home" page on the website
which is open to all: https://ipswichroadurc.org.uk/messy-church/mc-at-home/
Downing
Place, Cambridge are recording services on to YouTube:
SOME OTHER POINTS OF
INFORMATION
·
Walking
the Way: this
is an interesting time for some of us to develop and embed some of the Holy
Habits that the early church practised in Acts 2, even though we are not able
to be under the same roof. There seems to be more time for regular prayer
and Bible study for many people, for example, whether independently or through
phone, notelet or online groups. Many people are sharing their resources
in new and creative ways. There is much gladness around as friends find
positive aspects in our new routines.
The
Walking the Way team have produced a document to help us feel supported and to
continue supporting one another as we find new ways to be disciples: https://urc.org.uk/images/WalkingtheWay/documents/Continuing_to_support_each_other.pdf
·
Does
your church employ staff?
Last week’s employment law webinar was provided free of charge by
Morgan Lewis LLP. A good number people across Eastern Synod dialled in
and seem to have found the information about employers and their
responsibilities around Coronavirus and the lockdown really helpful. If
you missed it Lindsey can provide the headline information and / or share the
slides if wanted. Church House also produced helpful guidance for
employment issues last week: https://urc.org.uk/images/Letter_to_Churches_re_Furloughed_Workers.pdf
·
Pentecost
resources: Lindsey
and Nicola have been putting together resources for lay preachers and worship
leaders on the theme of Pentecost (May 31st). This had been
for a Gift Day at Westminster College at the end of March which has had to be
postponed. We have been adapting it to suit the new ways of worship that
we are adjusting to, but hopefully it is flexible enough that it will continue
to be of use once things have returned to normal. Many of the suggestions
would be easily adaptable to other seasons with a little thought. If you
would like a copy of the pack please contact one of us.
HOLY COMMUNION
There is a bit of conversation around at
the moment about the possibilities of ‘virtual’ celebrations of Communion. Some guidance is being prepared and will be
posted on the Synod blog and on the main URC website within the next few days.
PALM SUNDAY
This coming Sunday (5th
April) is Palm Sunday, and so Nicola is offering some resources for you.
For the family together at home or to share over
private video/phone call
A Gathering prayer to say together
Jesus, our King,
we offer you the praise of our hands,
(wave hands)
we offer you the praise of our voices,
(shout ‘Hosanna!’)
we offer you the praise of our feet,
(stamp feet)
we offer you the praise of
our minds and our hearts.
(place hands on hearts)
Hosanna to the Son of David!
Amen.
we offer you the praise of our hands,
(wave hands)
we offer you the praise of our voices,
(shout ‘Hosanna!’)
we offer you the praise of our feet,
(stamp feet)
we offer you the praise of
our minds and our hearts.
(place hands on hearts)
Hosanna to the Son of David!
Amen.
Singing together - Lord I lift your name
on high
A free MP3 down load - Raise your banner - a new song to learn together
This is a great song to lift your palms and wave them
or make while you listen.
Reading together: Mark
11:1-10 (CEV)
Jesus and his disciples reached Bethphage and Bethany
near the Mount of Olives. When they were getting close to Jerusalem, Jesus sent
two of them on ahead. He told them, “Go
into the next village. As soon as you enter it, you will find a young donkey
that has never been ridden. Untie the donkey and bring it here. If anyone asks why you are doing that, say,
‘The Lord needs it and will soon bring it back.’”
The disciples left and found the donkey tied near a
door that faced the street. While they were untying it, some of the people standing
there asked, “Why are you untying the donkey?”
They told them what Jesus had said, and the people let them take it. 7
The disciples led the donkey to Jesus. They put some of their clothes on its
back, and Jesus got on. Many people spread
clothes on the road, while others went to cut branches from the fields.
In front of Jesus and behind him, people went along
shouting, “Hooray! God bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord! God bless the coming kingdom of our ancestor David.
Hooray for God in heaven above!”
Creating together - Crosses
As we will not be able to be in church to collect our
palm crosses this week. Here are a
couple of simple ideas that you can make with things you should have around the
house and garden and can be used for the praying together later.
If you are feeling adventurous you could have a go at
making your own palm cross you can find some instructions here: http://www.just4kidsmagazine.com/rainbowcastle/palmcross.html
Foil Crosses
Cut out a cross from cardboard and cut out a piece of
sliver foil a little bit larger than the cross
Make diagonal cuts in the foil into the corners of the
cross.
Wrap the foil around the cardboard and secure with
glue or Sellotape at the back
You can then use a blunt pencil to write or draw on
the cross.
Twig Crosses
Find some twigs in the garden, one needs to be twice
as long as the other.
Wrap wool or string around the twigs to make the
cross.
Praying together
Palm Sunday is a joyful day, it is the beginning of
Holy Week when Jesus began his journey to the cross that ended on Good
Friday. Take the cross that you have
made and hold it in your hand and take a few moments in quiet to pray for
- things you are
worried about,
- people who are
helping keep us safe during these difficult times,
- for your friends
and family that you are not able to visit and
- for your own home
and family.
Just as the crowd shouted Hosanna to Jesus, shout out
a loud Amen.
If you are sharing this prayer time with someone via a
video link you can sign amen by bringing your thumbs up together as an I agree
sign.
Playing together
Using what you have round the house try and recreate
the scene (Lego, playmobile, wooden spoons a painting - let your imagination
run wild! Take a photo and share it with
your friends and family.
ALSO:
A
free resource for Holy week. https://godventure.co.uk/news/holy-week-boxes/
A
story for palm Sunday – Dave the Donkey and lots of other stories and
great resources.
There will also be resources from ROOTS, but
we don’t yet have the link, so will add it to a Palm Sunday resources post on
the blog before Sunday.
The blog also repeats these links and the
direct link for Palm Sunday resources is:
Finally,
just a reminder from Lindsey, Nicola and myself that we are still there for you
and, if there is anything you think we might offer, or you just want a chat,
then do contact us:
Our prayers and our best
wishes,
A PRAYER (the
one which I prayed at the end of my latest YouTube reflection):
Shepherding God, so often
we feel lost, and we are so glad that you come looking for us. Lord, forgive us when we keep on trying to
hide, when we keep wandering away. Help
us to know and appreciate your loving care.
And help us to do the bit we can to show and share your love. Bless us now.
Bless us always. In Jesus Name,
we ask it. Amen.
GO WELL!
PAUL
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