UPDATES AND USEFUL INFORMATION (28th October 2020)
Dear All
Blessings in these
continuing difficult times. With the
clocks now back an hour, and continuing struggles with numbers and tiers, it
seems far more that there is a bit of a long haul to be undertaken than it did
back in the spring, and a great deal of uncertainty remains. I pray you might find hope in these times. We continue to offer information and resources.
This briefing is posted
on the Synod website and on the blog each week (though this week won’t go on to
the blog until next Monday), so there is no need to get the reminder email to
access it. All past emailings and
related documents remain on the Synod coronavirus blog - https://urceasternsynod.blogspot.com/
Best wishes
Paul
WHAT
WE CAN AND CAN’T DO
Click here to enter a postcode and find out the Coronavirus restrictions in a local area.
BAPTISMS
One or two people have asked about guidance on baptisms. I am not aware of any specific URC advice, though it may be that I have missed it. However, I think the advice provided by the Church of England is extremely helpful, and would encourage you to consult that if it is relevant. You can find it at - https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2020-10/COVID%2019%20advice%20for%20Clergy%20Conducting%20Baptisms%20v4.4.pdf
SYNOD OFFICE
We have been keeping the question of when we might ‘properly’ reopen the office under review, and had hoped we might be getting towards that happening. However, with the current direction of the virus, it seems best to retain the present arrangement of staff working mostly from home. The office is risk assessed and that is kept under review. Thus, it is not entirely closed, and the phone may be answered, and is certainly checked on a regular basis. However, the best way of contact staff for the foreseeable future is by email.
We will keep this under review, but it seems highly unlikely that the office will open again before the new year, and it may well be as far off as Easter or beyond.
HOLY HABITS ROADSHOW – OR (AS THEY ARE) ONLINE TRAINING
Last week’s Holy Habit has been delayed.
We are taking a half term break, so there will be no new Holy Habits material this week – but we will be back next week as Paul offers a Biblical/Theological look at Giving (Sharing Resources).
ALL AGE WORSHIP
Families at home 1st November
Story
time for the under fives – Who is the greatest? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_s1CX7YvMds
Singing together
Father
I place into your hands
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwuM4Div-y4
Nothing
is too big
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bsEgggn344
Reading watching and Listening together
All
puffed up – A reflection with Nicola
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmT30jfLUIk
Matthew 23:1-12 Contemporary English Version
23 Jesus said
to the crowds and to his disciples:
2 The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law are experts in the Law
of Moses. 3 So obey everything they teach you, but
don’t do as they do. After all, they say one thing and do something else.
4 They pile heavy burdens on people’s shoulders and won’t lift a finger to help. 5 Everything
they do is just to show off in front of others. They even make a big show of wearing Scripture verses on their foreheads and arms, and they wear big tassels[a] for everyone to see. 6 They love the best seats at banquets and the front seats in the meeting places. 7 And when they are in the market, they like to have people greet them as their teachers.
8 But none of you should be called a teacher. You have only one
teacher, and all of you are like brothers and sisters. 9 Don’t
call anyone on earth your father. All of you have the same Father in heaven. 10 None
of you should be called the leader. The Messiah is your only leader. 11 Whoever
is the greatest should be the servant of the others. 12 If
you put yourself above others, you will be put down. But if you humble
yourself, you will be honoured.
Praying together
Reflective Foil prayers
You need is a piece of aluminum foil or each person, about 6x6cm square
Hold the piece of foil and look at the shiny side. Say thank you to God for good things in your
Creating Together
God Goggles:
You will need: Card, possibly from a cereal box.
What you do: Draw the word God on the card, remember it needs to be able to be read when someone is looking at you, and cut it out of card. Attach two strips of card to create a band which fits around your head. Decorate them if you want to bling them up. Looking around with our God goggles help us to see what God sees and do what we can to help others.
Playing
together
Floating
eggs
You will need:
·
2
glasses
·
1
egg
·
Three
tablespoons of salt
Fill
the first glass with water and place the egg carefully in the glass, it will
sink to the bottom. Fill the second
glass with water and mix the three tables spoons of salt into it until it is
all dissolved and the water is clear.
Carefully place an egg into the glass and watch as it floats.
We
may not be able to see God, but God is always there to support us.
RURAL MATTERS
Are you in a
rural or semi-rural church? An online gathering is taking place on 12th and
13th November. It will begin at 10am each day, finish by
1pm and there will be a coffee break in break out groups. There are some great
speakers including: Prof Mark Shucksmith speaking about rural poverty; Stuart
Richards (NFU) with a farming update; Princes Countryside Fund talking about
encouraging vital villages, ARocha on Eco Church and the Plunkett foundation on
using church buildings for businesses. The full programme can be viewed as you
register. For the Zoom link / to register please email Lindsey, training@urceastern.org.uk.
SYNOD DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
(please
register with Lindsey, training@urceastern.org.uk)
Walking the Way Day
Saturday 7th November 10am - 1pm
Join Nicola and Lindsey as
we dig into our discipleship: looking up, joining in and reaching out.
Elder / Trustee Training
Wednesday 18th November 7-9.30pm
Recently appointed?
Need a refresher? Join the Moderator and the training team for a
spiritual, legal and pastoral overview.
GOOD NEWS FROM AROUND THE SYNOD
Following an invitation to share innovative outreach and good news
stories we are delighted to have heard from Christ Church, Rayleigh.
Please contact Revd Naomi Young-Rodas for further information on any of these
initiatives.
1. The Rayleigh Posadas - Mary and Joseph will visit some
homes (doorstep only) during December and be refused shelter, they will end up
at the church, which does let them in. A card will be sent to all the
congregation explaining the tradition this idea springs from. A video
will be made of their encounters and put on the church Facebook page and
website - http://www.christchurchrayleigh.org.uk .
Please contact Naomi for further information.
2. We have launched a special Christmas Appeal (beyond the
usual toys and gifts on Gift Sunday) to help people who have fallen into
poverty due to the pandemic. We will be working in partnership with a local
charity to provide Christmas Food Hampers.
3. We will hold a Virtual Carol Service, listening to the
URC Daily Devotions Carol Service, all at the same time in our own homes. (CDs
will be delivered for those not able to access the internet link).
FX GATHERING - 3-4 DECEMBER
"We’re hoping this year’s fx Community Gathering will provide a
little oasis and some bright lights of joy in these dark times. During
this two day online gathering we will journey together through the themes of
faith, hope and love, interspersed with a bit of fun! From Deep Talk in the
wilderness to ‘Caroloke’, we hope there will something for your brain, your
heart and your soul. This year’s gathering will include a variety of
offerings, from games, to poetry writing, mindfulness, Deep Talk, to
conversations, stories, reflections and talks from across the breadth of fresh
expressions movement and outside of it….even kit flying! We hope you will join
us, throw yourself into all that we have planned and leave equipped, connected
and with a smile on your face. "
Tickets are £30. To find the link to join please visit the Events
page of the Synod's website.
MISSION SHAPED MINISTRY: VISION AND CALLING Monday 2nd Nov, 7:30 - 9:15 pm
Have you already followed
the mission shaped ministry course some time ago? would you like to
revisit this module? Perhaps you’d like to do a stand-alone module as a
taster, before embarking on the year-long msm online journey? Either way, this
is an evening not to be missed. £20 will give you Zoom access for up
to 5 people from the same context. To find the link please
visit the Events page of the Synod's website.
MODERN SLAVERY AND TRAFFICKING:
ENGAGING THEOLOGIES
FOR CHURCHES AND FAITH GROUPS
An online lunchtime seminar, 12.30 – 2 pm, Monday 9th November –
Sponsored by the
Centre for Baptist Studies, Regents Park College, Oxford
In partnership with “Together
Free” –
With speakers: Dan
Pratt, John Weaver, Marion Carson and Kevin Hyland
To register (free) and
receive the Zoom meeting link, please email christine.joynes@regents.ox.ac.uk
To see this notice as
a mini-poster (in a jpg) please go to - https://urceasternsynod.blogspot.com/2020/10/modern-slavery-and-trafficking-engaging.html
ECUMENICAL JOB
OPPORTUNITY
ECUMENICAL LEAD - £9,800 for 12 hours per week
Flexible working arrangements
Two vacancies: one in
Essex, one in East London
These part-time jobs involve working with senior church leaders, and churches together groups to promote Christian unity and mission opportunities between denominations and other traditions of the Christian church.
If you believe you can help us to: develop relations, organise meetings, improve communication, support ecumenical projects, manage the charity and promote Kingdom values, then please get in touch.
We are interested to hear from people who are:
• enthusiastic about Christians
partnering in mission
• confident
communicators and users of social media
• passionate
organisers of community events
• excellent
administrators who can manage priorities
• actively involved in
a Christian church
Contact jacqui.king@cteel.org.uk to receive a job description, person specification and application form.
Closing date Tuesday, 10th November
Online interviews on
Tuesday, 17th November
There is a Genuine Occupational Requirement for the job holder to be a practising Christian, as this is essential for the credibility and performance of this role.
CALL FOR HELP
Anyone know where an asylum seeker in Norwich
might get a warm winter coat? Clothes banks? Drop ins? Please let
Lindsey know recommendations following a specific request.
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 MELANESIAN PRAYER
O Jesus, be the canoe
that holds me up in the sea of life.
Be the rudder that keeps me in the straight road.
Be the outrigger that supports me in times of temptation.
Let your Spirit be my sail
that carries me through each day.
Keep my body strong so I can paddle
steadfastly on in the voyage of life.
We ask this prayer though Christ Our Lord. 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
No comments:
Post a Comment