UPDATES AND USEFUL
INFORMATION (24th June 2020)
Dear All
Wishing you well in the
challenges of changing circumstance, but with a reminder that Covid 19 remains
a serious threat.
Also hoping that our
weekly circulation of information continues to be helpful. We are retaining all of the past ‘Coronavirus’
emailings, as well as associated and relevant documents, on the Synod Coronavirus
blog - https://urceasternsynod.blogspot.com/
OPENING A PLACE OF
WORSHIP?
Paul writes:
On Tuesday, as I am
sure everyone will be aware, the Prime Minister made an announcement about a
further relaxation of restrictions that have been in place because of
Coronavirus. This will take effect from
the 4th July, and places of worship are on the list of places where
this applies. Of course, the Prime Minister warned that it is all reversible,
and is important to remember that.
Some are anxious to resume
worship as soon as possible. Others are far more cautious. I certainly advise you
to be cautious as to how you consider this matter. Just because we may re-open
does not mean that we should. If some cannot be there because of shielding and
health, or simply because there won’t be enough room for everyone (and I am certainly
not yet clear as to whether all worship should have the same 30 attendees limit
as for weddings.) Equally, our mission in some places may be to re-open
relatively quickly, and it is certainly a local decision, which should normally
be taken by the elders.
However, you MUST have
appropriate measures in places. We do not want our buildings to become centres
of transmission. You do need to undertake a risk assessment first. You do need
appropriate cleaning measures. I have already had two requests for advice – but
that needs to wait for further government guidance. The General Secretary has issued
an initial statement.
That is both headlined on
the URC’s website and posted on the Synod blog - https://urceasternsynod.blogspot.com/2020/06/advice-on-easing-of-restrictions-and.html
I will update that post on the blog as
and when further advice can be offered. I advise you, especially if you are thinking
of re-opening a building in the near future, to check that link (or the URC
website) regularly over the next week to ten days.
I absolutely endorse the words with
which John Proctor concludes his statement:
“With care, with distance, with gladness, we shall one day be
able to worship together. For some of us that day may not be far ahead. But
let’s do it responsibly.”
WORSHIP
As mentioned previously, we have now put
a list of churches within the Synod that are currently offering online worship on
the blog. You can find it at - https://urceasternsynod.blogspot.com/2020/05/online-worship.html
This is not a complete list and if you
are not it and would be happy to be added, please let the Synod Moderator know.
Two have been added over the past week:
West
Essex and Bishop's Stortford (including Stansted and Saffron Walden) offering
live services via Zoom, email for details.
Wroxham
and Hoveton are offering online worship at:
BIG DAY OUT 2021
Please put this in your forward-planning
diaries – The EASTERN SYNOD BIG DAY OUT 2021 will take place on Saturday
26th June 2021 at Trinity Park, Ipswich.
WORSHIP ROADSHOWS
The worship “roadshows” continue, and we
want to continue to promote them as a useful resource. This week we will offer
the final (ninth) one of the series.
Please pass the information on. The
advantage of this method is that the material is there when you want it. To
find them, please go to the Synod YouTube channel and look for the video you
want - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtYncbpZJ4PKBBrjrcXBHrw
We are also happy to email (or post) the
written script to anyone who would like to receive it, either instead of
watching, or to accompany the watching. If you would like to receive the emailed
script, please email Lindsey to request it – training@urceastern.org.uk - If you, or anyone you know who doesn’t have
email, would like a posted script, please let one of us know by phone or
email.
This week, number 9, (available Thursday
25th) presented by Paul, looks at using the Bible in worship, especially
preaching.
Also, over the next couple of weeks,
look out for news of a new online training resource which we plan to make
available in the early autumn.
LOCKDOWN PHOTOS
Do you have a photograph of how your church
has said something to or about lockdown?
Perhaps a banner on the railings or a noticeboard? If so, could you send it to Paul – moderator@urceastern.org.uk – and
we can share them in this briefing; but the incoming General Assembly
Moderators and Secretary are also looking for some such photos as a background
to their (online) induction. I would pass on any that seemed to fit that bill. Thanks
for those received so far, more welcome.
Here is the first selection – more next week!
Plume Avenue, Colchester, Palm Sunday
The Cornerstone, Southend-on-Sea
Abbey Lane, Saffron Walden
ALL-AGE RESOURCES FOR THIS SUNDAY (28th
June)
Families at home - Welcome…
Story time for the under 5’s - A
good neighbour
A prayer of praise and thanksgiving
Response line: we thank you.
Lord, for friends,
we thank you;
for family…
for towns and cities...
for hills and fields…
for sunshine…
for joy and forgiveness…
for being present with us… Amen.
we thank you;
for family…
for towns and cities...
for hills and fields…
for sunshine…
for joy and forgiveness…
for being present with us… Amen.
Reading, watching, and listening together
Matthew 10.40-42
Jesus says that those who welcome his disciples, also welcome him and
his Father.
Welcome - a story and reflection
Singing together
Everybody’s welcome
Praying together
Think about how you can welcome people and be welcomed.
- You will need: Three building bricks for each person in your house
Give everyone three different coloured brick each. Hold each one in your
hand in turn and pray in for:
- one person who has been kind or welcoming to you in the past week.
- one person you have helped or welcomed in the past week.
- one person you know who needs help or to feel welcomed.
Join your prayers together by putting the bricks you are holding into one shape and join it onto another person’s bricks.
Say a prayer together
Father God, we are welcomed in the name of Jesus.
Help us to welcome others in your name
so that we all join together as your family. Amen.
Father God, we are welcomed in the name of Jesus.
Help us to welcome others in your name
so that we all join together as your family. Amen.
Creating Together
Blessings Jar
Decorate a Jar with stickers or pens and write blessings on it.
Write on pieces of paper things that you are thankful. Think about all
the things that show Gods love for you.
Add the pieces of paper to the jar and keep adding as you think of more
things each day. At then end of each day
take out a piece of paper from the jar and say thank to God for what is written
on the paper.
Playing Together
See how many different languages you can look up and write down the word
for Hello. Have a competition with your friends and family to see how many you
can find.
Practise using the different greeting that you have found with each
other in the house
Think about how we can welcome people who speak another language. how you can say Hello if you can’t speak that
language e.g. wave, smile.
WESTMINSTER COLLEGE ONLINE OPEN DAY
Want to
deepen your faith by learning more about God and about yourself? Feel
called to some kind of ministry - lay, ordained, pioneer, children and youth?
Come and explore what Westminster can offer! Join them to
discuss their range of degree programmes and other courses. Send an email in order to express your interest.
SAFEGUARDING AND COVID 19
The
URC has produced a quick guide to safeguarding and Covid-19 which is on the URC
website, and can be downloaded as a PDF booklet (8 pages designed) or a Word
leaflet (2 sides of A4 with minimal design for ease of printing):
CHURCH
AND CREATION
Many
people are having conversations about how nature has been reasserting itself
during the lockdown. We are seeing a greater variety of birds in our
gardens and neighbourhoods; we have more insects pollinating; the earth has
been resting. But we are already seeing a marked increase in car traffic,
and busier flight paths above us. Might this be a moment for your church
to consider registering as an Eco Church? The Gospel is Good News for
God’s creation! https://ecochurch.arocha.org.uk/
RURAL
CHURCHES
·
Rural
Mission Sunday is July 19th. This year’s theme is ‘Heaven in
Ordinary’. You can find resources here, for both written and online
worship material: https://arthurrankcentre.org.uk/mission/rural-mission-sunday/rural-mission-sunday-2020/.
The materials are also available in Issue 84 of the Magazine Countryway.
·
The
Arthur Rank Centre has set up a hub to collect advice, sources of help and
encouragement for rural Christians https://arthurrankcentre.org.uk/together-apart/
·
The
Rural Ministry Course will be back in 2021, “designed for lay and ordained
church leaders entering a rural appointment for the first time, and those
already in ministry who feel the need for a ‘refresher’.” It is a 3-day
residential course including sessions on understanding rural contexts, mission
and growth, leadership, farming and work with young people and children in the
countryside. To register your interest email debs@arthurrankcentre.org
COUNCIL
FOR WORLD MISSION (CWM) UPDATE
The
Annual Members’ Meeting was due to take place in Johannesburg last week.
This is attended by representatives from the 32 CWM member churches
(denominations) from across the world to share mission stories and discern
God’s voice in planning CWM’s future work. The meeting was replaced by 2
hours online, with representatives from around the world being invited to Rise
to Life with Jesus. In the words of Wayne Hawkins (Deputy General
Secretary and Head of Programmes at CWM): “This invitation is timely as we
discern our world’s desperate need for a new direction and orientation towards
life, rather than the division of people and despoiling of creation which
blights much of our world’s experience. Rising to life with Jesus is an
invitation to participate in Jesus’ mission of offering life to all creation…
The church can be tempted to hold on, clinging to old assumptions, ideas and
ways of doing things. Instead we are invited to rise up and announce the
good news, and denounce death and hate in our world. Rising to life with
Jesus – his resurrection and new life transforms everything, and we can never
be the same.” How is your church planning on Rising to Life with Jesus
this season?
A SURVEY ON THE USE OF ONLINE TECHNOLOGY
How have you used online technology?
The University of Zurich is currently carrying out a piece of
ecumenical, international research into the ways churches around the globe have
used online technology in response to the current Covid-19 crisis.
Ministers, elders, community workers and others in leadership roles in
local congregations are invited to complete the form, which takes around 30
minutes to complete.
The form can be found here: https://www.contoc.org/contoc/contoc-int/ The
deadline for submissions is Sunday 12 July.
URC ADVICE
Just
a reminder that the coronavirus advice page on the URC website is being updated
with resources and advice on a daily basis:
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 FROM NORWICH CATHEDRAL
God of
compassion,
have mercy upon this nation and our world
in this time of fear and confusion:
we bring before you those who are suffering from the Coronavirus;
the aged and those who are most vulnerable
and for all who tend to their needs;
we pray for those who are now in isolation;
may know your comfort and company
and that those around them may truly love their neighbour
by prayer and in works of care and kindness;
we pray for health professionals, doctors, nurses and hospital support staff
as they answer their vocation under increasing pressure;
and we pray for those upon whose shoulders
the yoke of leadership rests,
that in their conversation and communication
your still small voice may be heard;
we ask this in the power of the Holy Spirit,
through the One who stretched out his hands to bless and to heal
even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
have mercy upon this nation and our world
in this time of fear and confusion:
we bring before you those who are suffering from the Coronavirus;
the aged and those who are most vulnerable
and for all who tend to their needs;
we pray for those who are now in isolation;
may know your comfort and company
and that those around them may truly love their neighbour
by prayer and in works of care and kindness;
we pray for health professionals, doctors, nurses and hospital support staff
as they answer their vocation under increasing pressure;
and we pray for those upon whose shoulders
the yoke of leadership rests,
that in their conversation and communication
your still small voice may be heard;
we ask this in the power of the Holy Spirit,
through the One who stretched out his hands to bless and to heal
even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
STAY SAFE AND KEEP WELL! GOD BLESS! PAUL
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