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

UPDATES AND USEFUL INFORMATION   (30^th September 2020)

 

 

Dear All

 

Blessings as we continue the challenging road of Covid 19.

 

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 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.  

 

In order to join the meeting, please follow these instructions:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/99252416138?pwd=aHBFVWNQTWhGY0QrYTlZWUl5N0hUUT09

 

Meeting ID: 992 5241 6138
Passcode: 326194

 

Dial in:            0330 088 5830

                        0203 481 5237

                        0208 080 6592

To join via the internet, you should just need to click on the link, though the password, if needed, as above.

To join by phone dial in on any of the above numbers – note: your normal call rate will apply.

When you call, you will be asked for the meeting id.

Key that in followed by # - so, 992 5241 6138 #

You will then be asked for your participant number. Ignore that, just press #

You will then be asked for the password. 

Key that in followed by # - so, 326 194 #

 

You should then be in the meeting.

 

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.

 

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 next week and the blog and/or the website.

 

If you have any questions or issues you would like us to address at the Synod meeting, particularly Covid related, please contact the Clerk or the Moderator, not later than 12 noon on Friday 9^th. 

 

Some things may be more easily addressed in this briefing – and we do try to cover questions that are raised on the basis that if someone has asked it, others are probably facing the same issue, but have not gone round to asking.  On that basis, this week’s briefing includes notes on Church Meetings and on wearing face coverings in church buildings.

 

 HOLY HABITS ROADSHOW – OR (AS THEY ARE) ONLINE TRAINING

 Our new series of training mini videos is now under way.

 

This week Nicola takes an inter-generational 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

 

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.

 

 CHURCH MEETINGS

Just a reminder that you can find advice – including a click through to Mission Council resolutions – on what you can/might do about Church Meetings on the Synod blog -

https://urceasternsynod.blogspot.com/2020/07/do-we-need-to-hold-church-meeting.html

 

FACE MASKS

Another reminder – that face coverings are compulsory in places of worship, apart from anyone who is genuinely exempt, and those leading worship at the point where they are addressing the congregation.  Failure to comply can attract a fine of £200 (reduced to £100 if paid within 14 days.)

 

ALL AGE WORSHIP

 

Story Time for the Under-fives - running a race with Harris Hare

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKFMR5L4TrI

 

Singing together - Run, jump, and praise  - two great action songs!

 

I can’t run enough

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

 

I am going to jump up and down

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WodvQf0Jo9s

 

Gathering Prayer

O God, help us to:
see Christ in all things, (hands over eyes, looking around)
hear Christ through all things, (hands behind ears)
understand Christ from all things, (gathering gesture)
feel Christ in all things, (touch fingertips together)
know Christ in all things. (fingers on temples)
Amen.

 

Reading listening and watching together

Are we nearly there yet? -  an all age reflection with Nicola

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4N8q3FweYE

 

Paul’s letter to the Philippians 3:13-14 (CEV)

 

© Copyright 2002-2020, ROOTS for Churches Ltd.

 

Table talk together

·        Why do you think Paul talks about a prize?

·        What does running towards a goal make you think about?

·        If Christ is our goal, what sort of things could we do to keep moving towards him?

 

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)

 

Creating together

 Prayer clock

Taking a moment throughout the day to talk to God helps us to grow in our faith.

Cut out pictures from a magazine or draw your own pictures of things that help you to think about times when you can pray. 

For example:

• When you get up and when you go to bed
• When you eat
• When you are happy
• When you are sad
• When you want to say thank you

Place the pictures on a circle of card or a paper plate.  Make a pointer like a clock hand from some stiff card and using a paper fastener attach it to the centre of you circle like a clock.  You can use this to remind you to pray at different times of the day. As a family you could make a clock together and put it up on the wall setting the pointer to a time to pray for everyone to pray together

Playing together

Create an obstacle course or some sports challenges and have a family race!

 

SOMETHING DIFFERENT …

Are you a radical theologian?  Interested in radical theology?  The Council for World Mission is hosting a series of webinars as part of its DARE programme (Discernment and Radical Engagement), particularly focusing on the impact and potential responses to the pandemic.  Starting on October 30^th; all welcome.  Find out more and register here: https://www.cwmission.org/coming-up-e-dare-2020/?fbclid=IwAR3Ia9tA5W-mku2EGem3V_TaaA7gE9zc6N95Ue8428pAp0wj-MWdSff3rDY

 

JUSTICE MATTERS

The Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT) are about to launch their bold ‘jubilee’ campaign in response to the debt crisis caused by the unavoidable impact of Covid-19 on many in our communities.  Expenses have gone up for many, especially food bills for those who have had workers and children at home all day.  The pause in eviction proceedings and debt recovery ends this week and this is likely to cause even greater hardship.  It is worth remembering that most working people aren’t more than a month or two’s salary away from getting into rent or mortgage arrears, even in normal times.  By contrast many people have found themselves better off and have been able to pay off debt as their expenses have gone down during this time: it is estimated that around £8billion of credit card debt has been paid off in the last 6 months.  We clearly live in a very unequal society.  Visit the website, http://www.jointpublicissues.org.uk/corona-virus/ and / or follow them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jointpublicissues/, to stay up to date with the campaign and find out how you can get involved.  If your church runs or is involved in a money advice centre please get in touch with Lindsey.

How is your money good news to the poor?  Christian Aid has been hit hard, as have most charities, by the pandemic.  As door-to-door and street collections did not happen this year your church may want to look at fundraising online, https://e-offering.christianaid.org.uk/?_ga=2.242497985.2133513320.1601391054-813789471.1600097679 and https://www.christianaid.org.uk/news/facebook-fundraisers-guidelines.  The United Reformed Church has a close relationship with Christian Aid, especially through Commitment for Life.  The pandemic came at a time when they were restructuring: new regional leaders are in place but obviously have not been able to get around the churches and meet people.  They would love churches to partner with them.  Contact our C4L coordinator Kevin Snyman kevin.snyman@urc.org.uk or Christian Aid’s John Plant via info@christian-aid.org if your church would be interested.

 

ELDERS / CHURCH TRUSTEE TRAINING

Paul, Nicola and Lindsey will be delivering online training for those newly elected and those wanting a ‘refresher’.  This will take place on Tuesday 3^rd November at 10 am and on Wednesday 18^th November at 7pm.  The same material will be offered on both occasions, so it is a case of coming to one, not both – unless you really want to – and sessions will last ninety minutes.  We will focus particularly on the spiritual Call, trustee and pastoral responsibilities, but will allow plenty of time for discussion and questions.  Please email Lindsey to register, indicating which session you would like to attend, training@urceastern.org.uk.

 

EASTERN SYNOD QUIZ NIGHT

Don’t forget our Zoom quiz night on Monday 19^th October: online fellowship in action!  Teams of 8.  Email Lindsey to sign up, as a team from one or more households, or as an individual to be joined up with others.  You could even have one or more church teams 😊

 

WALKING THE WAY DAY – looking up, joining in, reaching out

Lindsey and Nicola will be holding a ‘missional discipleship’ morning online on Saturday 7^th November from 10am – 1pm.  Do join us.  Email Lindsey to register, training@urceastern.org.uk.

 

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 THE LONDON ORATORY

 

Lord Jesus Christ, you travelled through towns and villages curing every disease and illness. At your command, the sick were made well. Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we may experience your healing love.

Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they regain their health and strength.

Heal us from our fear, which prevents neighbors from helping one another.

Heal us from our pride, which can make us claim invulnerability to a disease that knows no borders.

Good Lord, healer of all, stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and sorrow.

May those who have died from the virus rest in peace and rise in glory.

Be with the families of those who are sick or have died. As they worry and grieve, defend them from illness and despair.

Be with the doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals who seek to heal and help those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process. May they know your protection and peace.

Be with the leaders of all nations. Give them the foresight to act with prudence and charity for the well-being of the people they are meant to serve.

Stay with us, Lord, and grant us your peace.

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