Twenty-Fourth Emailing - Being Church in the Context of Covid 19

UPDATES AND USEFUL INFORMATION   (23^rd September 2020)

 

Dear All

 

I am sure that everybody has been watching the news, and the numbers with interest and concern, these last few days. We remain in extremely uncertain times. Please do read carefully our comments on the latest advice, especially Test and Trace. Also, please remember that things can change quickly and we cannot guarantee that all advice is absolutely current. It is also possible to be reading an out-of-date posting. Please check the latest government advice in the case of any uncertainty. I have covered some major points in this week’s briefing, but have not attempted a comprehensive description of all relevant aspects of using church buildings. In particular, you do need to seek out and consult the relevant advice for activities other than worship.

 

All past emailings and related documents remain on the Synod coronavirus blog - https://urceasternsynod.blogspot.com/

 

Meantime, be careful and stay safe.

 

Best wishes

 

Paul

 

 

TEST AND TRACE

The NHS Test & Trace app is due to be launched on September 24^th for England and Wales. 

IT relies on the user being able to scan a QR Code which all places of worship will be expected to generate and display. 

The QR Code Poster

·         All churches therefore should generate and display an official NHS Test & Protect QR code poster from September 24^th.  Currently the Governments in England and Wales are strongly encouraging Places or Worship amongst others to display the QR Code poster, rather than requiring it.  The United Reformed Church strongly encourages churches in England and Wales that are open for any purpose to comply with this.

 

For full information on this, and instructions on how to do this, please go either to the Synod blog - https://urceasternsynod.blogspot.com/2020/09/test-and-trace.html

 

Or to the URC Coronavirus information page https://urc.org.uk/images/NHS_Test_and_Trace_app.pdf

 

Both carry the same information.

 

 

CHOIRS AND CONGREGATIONAL PARTICIPATION

 

Congregations still must avoid singing, chanting, or responding with raised voices. Responses at a normal volume are permitted, though some may feel it is sensible to avoid these.

 

Small choirs are permitted – but these are now capped at a maximum of six.

Also, additional mitigation of risk should be in place, including good ventilation and increased social distancing.

 

The congregation’s capacity for worship is the socially distanced capacity of the building. People may be in ‘bubbles’ at worship, but no bubble should be more than six persons. You should ensure that people can arrive and leave safely and should reduce the capacity if necessary to take account of this. A one way system is strongly encouraged if possible, so that people arrive and leave by different doors. You should encourage careful and separate leaving after a service and to move on rather than having conversations in the car park, or similar, which will probably end up not being adequately socially distanced.

 

Food and drink should be avoided.

 

If you are celebrating Communion in church, do think very carefully about how this can be done safely, though it can. I am not aware of any specific URC advice on this – please let me know if I have missed it and you are aware of it – but you may find it helpful to consult and consider the Methodist advice - https://www.methodist.org.uk/media/18298/guide-for-holy-communion-10820.pdf

 

 

OUTDOOR WORSHIP

 

The grounds of a church are subject to the same rules as inside, so the capacity would be the socially distanced capacity. Worship in a public place requires the permission of the relevant authorities. Worship in a private place, such as a garden, is subject to the rule of six.

 

 

SYNOD MEETING

 

The October Synod meeting will be by Zoom – on the designated date, Saturday 10^th October, and will run from 10am to 1pm.  All welcome, as Synod meetings are not restricted to those who are members of the meeting.  The link to join the meeting will be on the Synod website and in later editions of this briefing. We would appreciate it if everyone joining the meeting could do so using their own name. Though it is not absolutely crucial, attendance records are helpful – and ‘Grandad’s iPad’ doesn’t really tell us who you are. Better still, if you can, please add in your church name. But more on this over the next week or two.

 

The guest speaker will be the Revd. Philip Brooks, the URC’s Secretary for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations. There will also be an address from the Moderator, some news on how some churches are coping with Covid and reminders of available resources. Papers will go out as usual, but we will also make the agenda and key documents available through this briefing and the blog and/or the website.

 

 

HOLY HABITS ROADSHOW – OR (AS IT WILL BE) ONLINE TRAINING

Our new series of training mini videos was launched last week with Paul’s look at a Biblical basis for fellowship – apologies to the ‘early seekers’ who couldn’t find it as it was late in being uploaded. Find Paul’s presentation at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeZbdiWvDi8&t=29s

 

This week Lindsey takes a practical look at Fellowship – you should find it easily (once it has been uploaded, hopefully, but not guaranteed, on Thursday morning), if you go to the Synod YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtYncbpZJ4PKBBrjrcXBHrw?view_as=subscriber

And next week Nicola will take an inter-generational look at Fellowship

 

We will then continue in the coming weeks with a similar series of looks at three further Holy Habits - the Breaking of Bread, Giving (or Sharing Resources) and Eating Together.

 

COMING SOON ….

 

ELDERSHIP TRAINING

Does your church have newly elected Elders, or would existing Elders benefit from a refresher?  We will be holding online training this Autumn covering the call, trustee responsibilities and working as a team.  This would also benefit trustees working in LEPs.  Please email Lindsey to register your interest.

 

SYNOD QUIZ NIGHT

Save the Date: Monday October 19

Lindsey and Nicola will be hosting an online quiz for a bit of fun as the Autumn sets in.  Further details regarding teams and how to register to follow.

 

WALKING THE WAY DAY 

Saturday November 7

Lindsey and Nicola had planned a Walking the Way day to be hosted by Mid Essex Area Partnership in March.  This was of course postponed, and a new date set for November 7th.  As this too will not be able to go ahead in person we have decided to move it online, and open it to the whole Synod.  It will run from 10am- 1pm and cover 3 areas: looking up, joining in and reaching out.  We hope you will join us.  For more information and to register please email Lindsey.

 

 

THE GOSPEL IN 50 WORDS

At last week's Ministers’ Get Together the Revd Dr Susan Durber challenged our ministers to write their 'Gospel in 50 words'.  If you had to summarise what the gospel meant to you in just 50 words what would that look like?  Have a go yourself, and feel free to share with us.

 

 

FREE TO USE PHOTOS

The next set of free-to-use photos to go up onto our Facebook page will be on the theme of Creation. See what is there already by going to Facebook and searching for URC Eastern Mission. These photos can be used freely in worship, resources or for reflection. There are also some individual photos on a ‘sister’ to the Synod blog - https://paulsreflectivephotos.blogspot.com/

 

 ALL AGE WORSHIP RESOURCES  

 Families at home (27^th September)

 Creationtide - the Season of Creation is the period in the annual church calendar, from 1st September to 4th October, dedicated to God as Creator and Sustainer of all life.

 

Story time for the under-fives God made me this way - discover what makes the animals unique

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-iWbTtjDJc

 

Singing together

Stuart Townend – Creation sings

 https://youtu.be/hf8xKiC1dq0

 

Reading watching and listening together

 

Thinking about Creation and God’s wonderful world

Psalm 104 (adapted from The Message Version)

Praise the LORD, my soul! O LORD, my God, how great you are! …… You make springs flow in the valleys, and rivers run between the hills. They provide water for the wild animals; there the wild donkeys quench their thirst. In the trees near by, the birds make their nests and sing. From the sky you send rain on the hills, and the earth is filled with your blessings. You make grass grow for the cattle and plants for us to use, so that we can grow our crops and produce wine to make us happy, olive oil to make us cheerful, and bread to give us strength. The cedars of Lebanon get plenty of rain— the LORD's own trees, which he planted. There the birds build their nests; the storks nest in the fir trees. The wild goats live in the high mountains, and the rock badgers hide in the cliffs. You created the moon to mark the months; the sun knows the time to set. You made the night, and in the darkness all the wild animals come out. LORD, you have made so many things! How wisely you made them all! The earth is filled with your creatures. There is the ocean, large and wide, where countless creatures live, large and small alike. The ships sail on it, and in it plays Leviathan, that sea monster which you made. All of them depend on you to give them food when they need it. You give it to them, and they eat it; you provide food, and they are satisfied. … I will sing to the LORD all my life; as long as I live I will sing praises to my God. May he be pleased with my song, for my gladness comes from him.

Psalm 93 A reflective story

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0aZ9klGaqM

 

The Rainbow story - The rainbow that nearly did not happen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhSSXA-ylYc

 

A prayer

God of creation,

of time, of space and everything,
you are far greater than our imaginations.
You care about flowers, sparrows,
babies, kings and us – that’s awesome!
We praise you for your concern
for everyone and everything.
Amen.

 

Prayer safari

Lord, you have made many things.

With your wisdom you made them all.

The earth is full of your riches

Psalm 104:24

 

Go for a walk and make it your prayer safari.  Look around you, where can you see things that help you think about amazing things that God has Created.  Look for the big and the small things look up and down and all around you.  Sometimes there are things so small we may not even notice them, but they are all part of Gods Creation.

 

As you walk ask God to open your eyes to see more of him in the world he has created – and praise God for all the things that you notice as you walk.  As you look around you focus on things which inspire or speak to you of God’s creation.

    

  

 

Taking care of Gods world

The Psalm tells us that the earth is full of Gods riches, but we do not always treat the earth with care and respect.   Do you think we act as if the earth is God’s, or sometimes as if it’s ours to do as we want with?   

Cut out a circle of blue paper. Take off your shoes and using green paint make a footprint on the circle. Alternatively, you could draw around your feet on the circle and colour them in. Place your world in front of you and take some time to be quiet.  Praise God for all that he provides for us and has created.  Ask god to help you care for earth pray for your footsteps to tread lightly on the world.

 

A prayer to say together

We praise you Lord God, for the beautiful world you made for us to live in.

Please help us to look after your world for you.

Help us to love and care for those around us both near and far

Help us to use things wisely and think about things we can reuse

Thank you, Lord God, for the beautiful world you made for us to live in.

Amen

 

Creating together

Sun, Moon and Stars Mobile.

You will need:

• some card recycled cereal box or packaging is good.
• A paper plate or a circle of card the size of a tea plate.
• Scissors, glue, tin foil, string and wool, colouring material.

 

Draw some shapes- you will need stars, circles for full moon and sunshine and some quarter moon shapes - place these shapes onto card.

Fold paper plate or circle of card into half as shown in picture and wrote the text around It- colour in to look like sky. 

Colour the shapes or cover moon with tin foil- you could also cover your star and sun with wool to give texture or add sparkly gems or shiny paper.

Make holes in the separate pieces and the semicircle and arrange to offer differing lengths add a loop and hang up.

                 

Playing together

Star gazing One way of appreciating the wonder of God’s creation is to go out at night and look up at the stars. Sometimes it is hard to see the stars in the town or the city because of light pollution so you may need to take a trip out to somewhere with a bit more natural light. But look up at the sky – you might even take a picnic blanket and lie down so you can look straight up. The longer you look, the more you will see. And each night the sky will look a little bit different as the positions of the stars mark the changing seasons.

 

URC INFO

 

All the latest information (and links to resources) from the United Reformed Church is on the Coronavirus Advice page of the denomination’s website –

https://urc.org.uk/coronavirus.html

 

 

A PRAYER FROM MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY (Milwaukee, USA)

 

May we who are merely inconvenienced

remember those whose lives are at stake.

May we who have no risk factors

remember those most vulnerable.

May we who have the luxury of working from home

remember those who must choose

between preserving their health or making their rent.

May we who have the flexibility to care for our children

when their schools close

remember those who have no options.

May we who have to cancel our trips

remember those that have no place to go.

May we who are losing our margin money

in the tumult of the economic market

remember those who have no margin at all.

May we who settle in for a quarantine at home

remember those who have no home.

During this time

when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other,

let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God

to our neighbours.

Amen.

 

 

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,

 

PAUL                      moderator@urceastern.org.uk     07534 274668

 

LINDSEY                training@urceastern.org.uk          07801 352340

 

NICOLA                  cydo@urceastern.org.uk              07515 721172

 

 

STAY SAFE - PAUL

Test and Trace

 NHS Test & Trace App (England and Wales) – Action Needed

The NHS Test & Trace app is due to be launched on September 24^th for England and Wales.  In Scotland, the Protect Scotland contact tracing app is part of the NHS Scotland Test & Protect system, and it detects other people with the app installed on their smart phone being in close proximity.  If the app detects that you have been less than 2m away for over 15 minutes from someone who later tests positive for Coronavirus, you will be alerted.

In England and Wales, the NHS Test & Trace app works in a very different way, and relies on the user being able to scan a QR Code which all places of worship will be expected to generate and display.  The following information therefore applies only to England and Wales. 

The QR Code Poster

·         All churches should generate and display an official NHS Test & Protect QR code poster from September 24^th.  Currently the Governments in England and Wales are strongly encouraging Places or Worship amongst others to display the QR Code poster, rather than requiring it.  The United Reformed Church strongly encourages churches in England and Wales that are open for any purpose to comply with this.

·         The poster must not be altered in any way so that it will clearly be recognisable as part of the official NHS system.

·         The poster must be printed at a minimum of A4 size for display on walls and at entrances, but users may if they wish enlarge it, or have additional copies printed at a smaller size (for use at a welcome table where contact tracing information is collected, for instance.)  Having additional copies does not remove the responsibility to display at least one copy at A4 size or larger.

·         The poster may also be displayed digitally, for example on a TV screen or computer tablet.

·         You may print the poster in black and white or in colour, but you should print it in colour if at all possible.

·         You must display the poster at every entrance to your premises, and it should be on a flat, opaque surface so that it can easily be scanned.

·         You should place a copy of the poster at least 130cm from the ground to the top of the poster for wheelchair users.

·         You should, if possible, position your poster on the left side of your front window or entrance, ensuring that it is in a visible and safe position where they cannot easily be removed.

·         It will not be compulsory for anyone to use the QR code, but you MUST keep contact tracing information for anyone that does not scan the code, and you may also ask anyone scanning the code also to give their name and contact details so that you have a clear record of who is using your building.

Generating a Poster

1.     The poster is generated by the UK Government website.  You must not attempt to make your own version, or customise it anyway to “brand” it for your church.

2.     Before you start, you need an email address, a contact name with responsibility for the premises (for example, the Church Secretary or one of the other Elders), and the address for the church premises.

3.     Go to https://www.gov.uk/create-coronavirus-qr-poster and enter your email address.  (Please note that this is the correct address for churches in England and in Wales.)  A six-digit code will be emailed to you immediately to verify that the email address was entered correctly.

4.     Enter this code into the web page to proceed, then enter the name of the contact person and click the “Continue” button.

5.     You will be asked “What best describes the type of your business, organisation or event?”  Click in the circle next to “Place of worship” then scroll down the page and click “Continue.”

6.     On the next page, enter the name of your church – e.g. St Andrew’s United Reformed Church, Happytown – then click “Continue” again.

7.     Enter the post code for your church then click “Find address” and select the full address from the drop-down list.  If your church address isn’t listed, click the link saying “I can’t find my address in the list” and enter it manually.

8.     Next, enter the contact email address and telephone number for the named contact, who will be contacted if there is an outbreak affecting the church premises then click on “Continue”.

9.     On the final page take a moment to check you have entered the details correctly and used the “change” links to make any amendments.  When you are satisfied that the data are correct, click “Submit”, and a link to print the generated poster will be emailed to you.

10. Click on that link and print as many copies as you need for the premises.  You can return to that link and print more copies later if needed.

What about external user groups and lettings?

The QR Code relates to the premises, not to the group using the premises.  The church is still the “venue manager” and retains overall responsibility for how the building is used and keeping it “Covid-secure.”  We recommend that best practice for all churches is to delegate the collection and retention of contact tracing information to each user group, and ensure that group understands their responsibilities and agrees to operate the system for their group.

The church will need to keep a record of the group leaders, in case it becomes necessary to pass on public health information following a confirmed outbreak relating to the premises.  If the church operates with a Centre Manager who can see the Test and Trace contact details are recorded for every group, then you may or may not wish to retain that responsibility.  Many churches will still prefer to delegate that responsibility to the group leader.  In the case of addiction recovery groups, for example, the importance of confidentiality cannot be over-stated and it will be far better to keep the sharing of information between the group and the church to an absolute minimum. 

What happens if someone tests positive after they have been to our church?

At the time of writing there is limited information available, but the following gives the best information presently available.

Anyone using the NHS app who has checked into the premises using the QR code within a certain time frame will receive an alert.  The alert will not say where the potential contact took place, just that they have recently been to a venue (which might be a shop, restaurant, workplace or somewhere else displaying their own QR code poster) where they may have come into contact with coronavirus.  That notification will also have public health advice, which might include monitoring symptoms and booking a test, calling for more information or, in certain circumstances, self-isolating.

If an outbreak is associated with a particular venue – your church – the local health protection team will contact the named person and advise on the course of action that you must now take, which might include following up others who have given their contact details outside the NHS Test & Trace app system – that is, the names and contact details you registered manually.

22 September 2020

Twenty-Third Emailing - Being Church in the Context of Covid 19

 UPDATES AND USEFUL INFORMATION   (16^th September 2020)

 

 

Dear All

 

Blessing as we continue the covid 19 journey.  Hoping there is something of interest/use in what follows.  All past emailings and related documents remain on the Synod coronavirus blog - https://urceasternsynod.blogspot.com/

 

Meantime, be careful and stay safe.

 

Best wishes

 

Paul

 

 

SYNOD MEETING

 

The October Synod meeting is moving online as it is clear that we would not be able to gather sufficient people in one geographical location.  However, it is going ahead – by Zoom – on the designated date, Saturday 10^th October, and will run from 10am to 1pm.  All welcome, as Synod meetings are not restricted to those who are members of the meeting.  More information, including how to join the meeting and what’s going to be happening as we get closer to the day.

 

The guest speaker will be the Revd. Philip Brooks, the URC’s Secretary for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations.

 

 

RULE OF SIX

There is some confusion as to which aspects of Church life are impacted by the new ‘rule of 6’ within England. It is clear that voluntary and charitable organisations are exempt. This means that meetings and activities of church life too are exempt from this as long as they take place in a COVID Secure building with appropriate social distancing. So not only may worship continue, but also the various meetings of church life that help keep our work going, including Elders’ and Church Meetings.

Many churches may find that the requirements of a COVID secure building, and the desire of people to be cautious mean that church meetings might best continue virtually. Click on this link to the government guidance on meeting together safely. You will notice that many of the activities that might normally take place in our buildings, in terms of groups we let space to, are also exempt and therefore lettings to such groups can continue where the building is COVID Secure and their activity compliant with relevant legislation and guidance.

 All URC denominational information is at https://urc.org.uk/coronavirus.html

 

HOLY HABITS ROADSHOW – OR (AS IT WILL BE) ONLINE TRAINING

 

… Starting THIS week – with some Biblical thoughts on the Holy Habit of Fellowship – presented by Paul.  The first of this series of twelve mini-videos should be uploaded to the Synod YouTube channel by early (9am) on Thursday (17^th September).  Next week more on Fellowship as Lindsey explores some practical suggestions and, the following week, an all-age perspective on Fellowship with Nicola.

 

We will follow that up in the coming weeks with a similar series of looks at three further Holy Habits - the Breaking of Bread, Giving (or Sharing Resources) and Eating Together.

 

SAFEGUARDING TRAINING

Face to face Safeguarding training is still not possible in our church buildings. However, it is possible for it to be delivered via Zoom.  It is available in three 1.25hr sessions that can be delivered either during the day or in the evening over a three weeks period or on consecutive days in a week.  For more information please get in touch with Nicola Grieves cydo@urceastern.org.uk  (Synod Safeguarding Officer)

 

WELCOMING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE:

An opportunity for CONVERSATIONS WITH NICOLA VIA ZOOM

 Welcoming Children when Junior Church and youth groups are not possible

Wednesday 23^rd September 2.30pm

 Connecting and staying in touch with Toddler groups

Thursday 24^th September 2.30pm

 Messy Church

Wednesday 30^th September 2.30pm

If you are interested in joining Please contact Nicola Grieves cydo@urceastern.org.uk

to book a place and Zoom links will be sent out for each event.

 

 ALL AGE WORSHIP RESOURCES

 Families at home September 20^th

 

Story time for under fives

 Jonah and the Big Fish

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IervgSv6rls

 

Singing together

Will you come and follow me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o469PRLdbHU

 

Reading Looking and listening together

The story of Jonah – Nicola

Please go to the Eastern Synod YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtYncbpZJ4PKBBrjrcXBHrw

and you should find ‘The Story of Jonah’.

 

A Jonah Story

God in heaven, this is Jonah. I'm here to complain.
You have given me such a hard time.
I know I ran away, but did you have to get my attention with a big fish?
(Actually, I am pretty glad about the fish.
Without it I would have drowned.)

Anyway, then there was Nineveh.
I did it, if you remember – I did exactly what you asked.
I went to that big, busy city and I told them just what you wanted me to.
I warned them that, if they didn't turn from their ways –
their wicked, greedy, immoral ways – you, the great God,
were going to destroy them.

And the more I told them, the more your message burned within me. 

I wondered just how you were going to do it.

How would you destroy them?
Amazingly, they listened. They listened to a half-baked prophet like me.
Even the animals had to fast and put on sackcloth.  And then, the most annoying,
awful thing happened – the thing that made me look stupid, the thing that makes me so mad.

YOU FORGAVE THEM!

Somehow, I never thought that might happen.

I've been sitting here hoping to see something dramatic.
Maybe some fire from heaven to destroy Nineveh,
or a storm, a flood, a disease.
But, no, nothing. I suppose it was kind of you to send the bush
to protect me from the sun. But what about the worm?
This morning, you sent a worm, to eat my bush.
I'm angry again God, angry as anything.
What did that bush do to deserve that…?

Oh, I see. I care about the bush…

just a bush, one small bush.
I don't want it to get destroyed.
And you? You care about a city.
full of people and animals.
You don't want them to be destroyed.

Maybe I need to think about this again.

 

Praying together

 Traffic Light Prayers                                                                                                               

You will need:

Black card or paper

Clothes Peg

Red green and yellow pom poms or

Small circles of paper

Stick your circles or pom poms to a rectangle of black card to make a traffic light.  Stick the traffic light to a clothes peg.  You will then be able to an use this as a bookmark to remind you to be still, think and pray and go god’s way.

Stop and be still – Listen to God

                                  Slow down and make time for God - Think and pray

                                              Go God’s way every day

Sometimes decisions are very difficult, and it is good for us stop and listen and talk to God.   Holding your traffic light as a family join together to say the following prayer

 

Dear God grant me the calmness and peace

to accept the things I cannot change

Give me courage to change the things I can

and give me wisdom to know the difference.

Amen

(An adaptation of the serenity prayer)

  

A Prayer to say together

Calling God,
you are always calling people to spread your love and share your word with others.
You call ordinary people to do the most unexpected things.
You need so many people to do your work here on earth.
Help us always to be ready to listen to your call,
and to know that you will give us the gifts, courage, energy and enthusiasm to do the things you need us to do.
Help us to overcome the worries, doubts and anger that Jonah had,
and to be ready to respond to your call like the disciples did when Jesus called them to follow him.
Amen.

(from Roots)

 

Creating together

A very simple idea for a fish to retell the story

You will need:

• A clothes peg
• A fish shape (card)– cut in half

Glue the halves of the fish to the clothes peg and you will have a fish that will help you remember the story of Jonah.

 

LAY PREACHERS 

…..  met last week for a catch-up, and shared their stories of awe and wonder from the last few months: there were stories of hope, and small miracles; of healing and encouragement; of rest and freedom; of new knowledge and understanding.  It is right that we should acknowledge what has been lost over this period, but right too that we continue to celebrate God blessing our work and our lives.  What strength we can draw from each others’ stories!

 

FILMING AND EDITING TRAINING

Our ‘Filming and Editing Worship Training’ continues this week with the final session.  You are still welcome to join.  It is at 2.30pm, to be finished by 4pm.

17^th September Session 3  Enhanced Film Editing

To join the training please contact Lindsey, training@urceastern.org.uk

 

NEWS FROM OUR GREEN ADVOCATE

Jeremy has drawn our attention to a number of items:

·       We are encouraged to hold a Climate Sunday service in our churches for Climate Sunday & Creation Time: Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, with support from charities including A Rocha UK & Operation Noah, is encouraging local churches to hold a local Climate Sunday service any time during a one year period starting on 6 September, the first Sunday in the annual season of Creationtide.

More information here: https://www.ecocongregationscotland.org/creation-time/ and here: http://www.climatesunday.org/

·       There is an easy carbon-footprint calculator for your church to use, as a step to starting to reduce emissions.  You can sign up and start using it here: https://360carbon.org/

·       Former Eastern minister Revd Dr Jason Askew is now the National Synod of Wales’ TDO.  In this role, on September 26^th he is hosting Caroline Pomeroy introducing Eco church with the title And God said ‘Take care of… Yourself’ – for more information and a link to register, please go to -  https://www.urcwales.org.uk/news/and-god-said-take-care-of-yourself/ .  All are welcome.

 

NEWS FROM  OUR HEALTH AND HEALING ADVOCATE

Dr Christine McLeod recently went back to work, to assist Public Health England in their response to the Covid-19 pandemic.  Her report to Pastoral Committee included interesting information that frontline work, as well as about how churches can identify and respond to an outbreak.  To see the full report, please go to –

https://urceasternsynod.blogspot.com/2020/09/health-and-healing-report-august-2020.html

 

WALKING THE WAY

The steering group has produced Harvest materials for us to use as we wish for the coming season https://urc.org.uk/images/WalkingtheWay/documents/WtWHarvest20_180820_1506.pdf?dm_i=2JB1,1MXJW,4L1UGT,5JTBR,1.  As always they are looking for ways in which you and your churches are encouraging and enabling missional discipleship.  Any stories can come via Lindsey, or direct to wtw@urc.org.uk.

 

 

A PRAYER FROM THE EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE

 

Ephesians 1: 15-17

“For this reason, ever since I have heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people. I have not stopped giving thanks for you remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better” 

Gracious Lord, we thank you for people who love us. Who have cared for us and been there for us      (Take a few seconds of silence to picture them.)

Thank you for their advice, their kindness and their prayers.

We thank you for your love for us that you have no favourites but you constantly love us fully and unreservedly. Help us to love others in your name.

Lord in this time of change and uncertainty, grant us wisdom and revelation. That we may make good decisions for ourselves and for others.

In Jesus' name.    Amen.

 

 

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,

 

PAUL                      moderator@urceastern.org.uk     07534 274668

 

LINDSEY                training@urceastern.org.uk          07801 352340

 

NICOLA                  cydo@urceastern.org.uk              07515 721172

 

STAY SAFE - PAUL