UPDATES AND USEFUL
INFORMATION (3rd June 2020)
Dear All
How long? That was the
cry of the people in exile – and is perhaps now fast becoming our cry. How
shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land? That was how the psalmist put
it and, again, we may ask the same question about these strange times. I don’t
think the answer is always easy, but I do think folk are coming up with some
interesting and creative answers.
I also hope that this
continuing 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/
LOOKING AHEAD
PAUL WRITES: As
lockdown experiences some relaxation, people are beginning – quite naturally –
to look forward to a different time, and that is evidenced in some questions I
am being asked or that I hear about. When will we be able to open our buildings
for worship? Can we have weddings yet? Can we worship outside? Will we have to
wear facemasks?
The answers to those
questions, in case you are wondering, are these:
The timescale for
opening buildings for worship – I don’t know, but the beginning of July at the
absolute earliest, and with significant restrictions – but see further below.
Weddings – not yet, as
far as I am aware.
Outside worship – no.
Facemasks – I don’t
know.
But let me address the
first of these further. The first thing to say is that we need to follow
government guidance. The second important thing is that we are in a changing
situation and we simply can’t put an exact time, or an exact set of conditions
on where we will be at a particular moment. The third thing is that it seems
likely that when buildings can re-open, there will be significant conditions with
which we need to comply and, very possibly, other relevant issues. These may be
worth some thought now.
So, how might you put
social distancing in place? How will you arrange an appropriately thorough
cleaning regime? How will you take account of the likelihood of some folk in
vulnerable groups still having to stay away? Are there soft furnishings that
would be better removed? Will you have to consider adjusting lettings or
meetings because some groups may need a bigger space in order to comply with social
distancing?
A key area is
technology. Like many others, I have learned a lot about video conferencing,
online worship etc. and the likes of Zoom and YouTube are now part of my everyday
vocabulary, and my everyday experience. What are we doing for those who cannot
access the technology, and who might experience lockdown for longer because of
being vulnerable? How can we avoid their feeling even more isolated as some of
us are able to begin to increase our (socially distanced) contact with others?
Also, to take a very
different angle, what about those who have been included because of the
technology? What do we need to do to ensure that we don’t exclude them
again? (I was talking to a colleague
whose mother-in-law died recently. He commented how good it was that she had
been able to go ‘back to church’ for the last six weeks, or so, of her life,
having been unable to be there for several previous months – and it was all
down to Zoom).
The ‘new normal’
document covers a variety of relevant angles. I do encourage you to begin, if
you haven’t done so already, to think about these things.
With regard to the
crunch question as to when buildings may begin to re-open, as I write, the
answer, as already stated, is that I don’t know, but possibly from the
beginning of July. However, nobody should take that as guaranteed as yet and,
if it is permitted, I imagine that there will be stringent conditions to be
met. And, dare I suggest, that it might be possible that some churches would
actually choose to delay their opening further if significant numbers within
the membership remain excluded for health reasons.
I recognise that some
folk are saying that churches are needed and should be open. The church is
open. It is just the buildings are closed. I think we need to say that clearly,
and to tell people who suggest otherwise that the statistics we can get suggest
that far more people are engaging with church than was the case pre-Covid 19.
For ease of access, the ‘new normal’ document is
on the Synod blog –
- but if you want the ‘posh’ version (and a
downloadable pdf) it is now on the main URC website - https://urc.org.uk/images/Communications/New-Normal-2020.pdf
Also, if you would like it hand – and more manageable
– chunks, the South Western Synod have produced a helpful set of the different
sections - https://www.urcsouthwest.org.uk/preparing-for-the-new-normal-advice-from-urc-synod-moderators/
WORSHIP
As mentioned last week, 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 -
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.
Three that were not there last week, so
have been added are:
Hadleigh URC (Suffolk) - There is a mix of
visual and audio hosted on our website (www.hadleighurc.org.uk).
Christ Church, Rayleigh and the Bridgwater Drive
Church live-stream our 10am Sunday service on the Christ Church facebook page, then
usually uploaded to the Christ Church website: http://www.christchurchrayleigh.org.uk
Basildon and Bramerton Road Pastorate; live streamed Sunday Morning
Service on Zoom at 10.30 am. To join in
worship email to revgt@bramcom.co.uk for link
and password.
PRAYING WITH AND FOR
THE URC
The GEAR (Group for Evangelism and Renewal) Committee
have become aware of the need to pray about the challenging situation many URC
congregations, Synods and central staff are facing. We are therefore
launching a weekly prayer initiative and are inviting everyone across the
United Reformed Church to join us.
To that end, we are asking if you would include the following notice in your next newsletter to provide the details of the initiative and invite all to join us in prayer for our denomination - initially for the six weeks in the run-up to what would have been the General Assembly planned for 10-13 July 2020. (General Assembly has now been cancelled, but there will be a one-day virtual Mission Council on 10 July.)
To that end, we are asking if you would include the following notice in your next newsletter to provide the details of the initiative and invite all to join us in prayer for our denomination - initially for the six weeks in the run-up to what would have been the General Assembly planned for 10-13 July 2020. (General Assembly has now been cancelled, but there will be a one-day virtual Mission Council on 10 July.)
For more details go to - Pray4URC Letter
GOOD
NEWS FROM AROUND THE SYNOD
Throughout this time we have heard some really inspiring stories about how church leaders and teams are continuing to serve and support their church communities and beyond, including how those who are not online are being reached. We have a minister offering ‘drive through’ pastoral meetings – conversations through open car windows when a phone call just won’t do; North Avenue’s Little Free Pantry has managed to get up and running again following an incident of vandalism and despite the restrictions, and is being well-supported by the community; one Area Partnership set up a cascade system from the beginning of the lockdown ensuring that every member in every church gets emailed or posted Home Worship materials each week, written in turn by its ministers and lay preachers; the leaders of a Fellowship Group are staying in touch with all members through weekly phone calls to each, and a printed weekly newsletter; notelet ministries have sprung up, where messages of hope and love and worship are posted/delivered to those who are offline; time released is being used for monastic contemplation… there are also many, many excellent services, devotions, prayer meetings, and fun nights in, all online across the Synod. Let us know your own stories for us to share and encourage others.
Throughout this time we have heard some really inspiring stories about how church leaders and teams are continuing to serve and support their church communities and beyond, including how those who are not online are being reached. We have a minister offering ‘drive through’ pastoral meetings – conversations through open car windows when a phone call just won’t do; North Avenue’s Little Free Pantry has managed to get up and running again following an incident of vandalism and despite the restrictions, and is being well-supported by the community; one Area Partnership set up a cascade system from the beginning of the lockdown ensuring that every member in every church gets emailed or posted Home Worship materials each week, written in turn by its ministers and lay preachers; the leaders of a Fellowship Group are staying in touch with all members through weekly phone calls to each, and a printed weekly newsletter; notelet ministries have sprung up, where messages of hope and love and worship are posted/delivered to those who are offline; time released is being used for monastic contemplation… there are also many, many excellent services, devotions, prayer meetings, and fun nights in, all online across the Synod. Let us know your own stories for us to share and encourage others.
MISSION
BEYOND LOCKDOWN
The
Methodist Church
have scheduled a series of webinars entitled ‘Mission Beyond Lockdown’.
To register and join use the following link:
They
will be recorded and then available to view if you are not able to join them
live.
JESUS’
GREAT COMMISSION …
…. is this week’s gospel reading, “Go therefore and make
disciples of all nations…”. In a time when church looks rather different
to normal what does this Commission look like to us? This video feels more
relevant than ever: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJWkQ9UP_m8
COUNCIL
FOR WORLD MISSION (CWM)
This
week Lindsey would have been preparing to represent the URC at CWM’s Annual
Photo
– Lydia with Paul at Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, July 2019.
KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH
YOUR TODDLER GROUPS
Nicola
has prepared a story and craft idea in a you tube clip which you can send out
to your toddler groups or young church members. This will be weekly
resource and is especially for those children under five. It is a great
way to keep in contact as we are not able to meet up each week.
This
week
Story
time for under 5’s
‘God
knows all about me’
ALL-AGE WORSHIP FOR
NEXT SUNDAY – Trinity Sunday (7th June)
Families together at home
Go and make disciples! Matthew 28:16-20
Singing together
Seeds family worship ‘go’
Reading watching and listening together
Matthew 28:16-20
As you read the story pause where there is a
star imagine what the scene would look like.
You could draw a picture or act out the scene.
Jesus’ eleven disciples were on their way to
Galilee.* Jesus had told them to meet him on a mountain there and that
is where they were heading.* As they approached the mountain, they saw
the risen Jesus standing there and many of them worshipped him. But others
doubted – they weren’t sure it was Jesus.*
Jesus came to them all and said, ‘I have been
given all power in heaven and on earth.* So go from here. Tell people
about God. Make disciples all over the world.* Baptize people in the
name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.* Share
with them all that I have taught you and help them to obey my
commandments. And remember, I will always be with you, until the very end
of time.’*
‘Go, and make disciples a
story and reflection’ with Nicola
Creating together
You will need:
- Blue paper cut into a circle
- Green paint (washable)
- Firm paper of card
- Wax crayons or pastels
On the blue circle make two footprints with
the green paint. Cut a cross out of the
card that will fit in the circle with your footprints. Around the edge of the card colour with the
crayons or pastels, as heavy as possible.
Place the card on your circle and hold firmly with one hand and smudge
the crayons with your finger. Carefully
lift of the cross and you will be left with a rainbow effect outline.
Add words from the bible passage around the
edge of you circle and then add some string to the stop so that you can hand it
up
Praying together
Spread God’s love
You will need:
- Kitchen roll cut into strips
- Pens
- A glass with about an inch of water
Think about a person you want to know Gods
love. Draw a a heart and a face or their
initials on the strip of kitchen paper about 2 inches from the bottom.
Put the end of the strip in the water and
pray that God will help you to show that person that you love them, and that
God loves them. Watch as the water slowly climbs up the paper and the ink
in the heart spreads out to cover and absorb the initials. This is a
symbol of how you want your love and God's love to reach out to that person.
(Adapted from an Idea from the Flame creative
kids Blog)
A prayer to say together
Hold up one finger then point up each time as
you say:
One God,
present yesterday, present today,
present tomorrow.
One God,
in all, through all, everywhere.
One God,
powerful, gentle, holy.
We believe in you,
One God.
present yesterday, present today,
present tomorrow.
One God,
in all, through all, everywhere.
One God,
powerful, gentle, holy.
We believe in you,
One God.
Playing together
Paint a heart on a stone and write a message
‘God loves you’. On a walk place it on
the doorstep of someone who you want to share Gods love with.
NOTE: This applies
to everything, but might be particularly relevant to the all-age resources – if
you want a paper copy of just part of the emailing – e.g to distribute the
all-age resources, then it is probably easier to go to the blog (rather than
use the pdf on the website) and you will find it easy to cut and paste. Just ‘mark’ what you want (even just a picture)
and you should be able to copy into a new Word document. The direct link for
this week’s emailing is –
WORSHIP ROADSHOWS
The worship “roadshows” continue, and we
want to continue to promote them as a useful resource.
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 6, (available Thursday
4th) presented by Nicola, focusses on all-age prayer in worship.
A VIRTUAL AWAY DAY
We are all doing various things in different ways in the
virtual world of today. Revd. Naomi
Young-Rodas offers the virtual away day she led recently as a resource that could
be used individually or in other ways.
We have posted it on the blog –
If
anyone has other such ideas/offers, please send them to Paul.
WALKING THE WAY RESOURCES
There are revised
versions of the Walking the Way Summer and Pentecost 2020 resources now available, with
corrections made and some more great images from Elizabeth Gray-King added to
the Pentecost resource to replace some of the more ‘bland’ ones.
ONLINE REFLECTIVE
GROUP FOR PEOPLE IN MINISTRY
Mondays
10.30-12.45, £15 per session.
Mark Argent and Lynsey Heslegrave are offering a series of online reflective groups for people in ministry in June and July 2020.
These draw on our backgrounds in spiritual direction and supervision and offer a space for people to reflect with others in ministry on their changing role in the world of Covid19, and on where God is in this.
As this is about reflecting on current experience, people will gain most from attending regularly. Each session is self-contained and people are welcome to attend for whichever sessions suit them. For more information or to book, please use the following links:
8 June: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/106517859786
15 June: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/106584836114
22 June: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/106585056774
29 June: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/106585383752
6 July: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/106585403812
13 July: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/106585696688
15 June: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/106584836114
22 June: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/106585056774
29 June: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/106585383752
6 July: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/106585403812
13 July: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/106585696688
We're offering six
sessions in the first instance, with the possibility of offering further
sessions.
The 2020 TRiM conference is hoped will go
ahead on 24 - 25 November 2020 at Belsey Bridge Conference Centre,
Ditchingham, Norfolk as usual. Obviously this isn't certain and so rather than
encouraging people to book their place, they are asking for expressions of
interest to be sent to me. Once it is confirmed that the conference will go
ahead, those on the list will be contacted and booking information sent so that
they can confirm and pay for their place.This year John-Francis Friendship will
(hopefully) be leading on ‘Flourishing in your vocation: ways to deepen your
calling’. Lindsey can send a booking form if you are interested. Bookings
will be on a first come, first served basis.
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,
THIS WEEK COPIED FROM THIS WEEK’S ALL-AGE
RESOURCES
One God,
present yesterday, present today,
present tomorrow.
One God,
in all, through all, everywhere.
One God,
powerful, gentle, holy.
We believe in you,
One God. Amen.
present yesterday, present today,
present tomorrow.
One God,
in all, through all, everywhere.
One God,
powerful, gentle, holy.
We believe in you,
One God. Amen.
STAY SAFE AND KEEP WELL! GOD BLESS!
PAUL
No comments:
Post a Comment