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

 UPDATES AND USEFUL INFORMATION   (9^th December 2020)

 

 

Dear All

 

The administering of the first vaccine is surely good news and, though we still have a long way to go, there is, at last, a real sign of something different and of the eventual emergence of that much talked-about new normal. However, there is some considerable way to go.  Please continue to take care and to observe the different precautions that remain critical for the moment – and we will continue to circulate advice and resources.

 

The weekly briefing is posted on the Synod website and on the blog, 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

 

 

CWM DEVOTIONAL RESOURCE

 

The CWM (Council for World Mission) resource ‘Sundays with CWM 2021’ is now available at -

https://issuu.com/cwmission/docs/sundays_with_cwm_2021

 

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

These are to be found on the Synod YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtYncbpZJ4PKBBrjrcXBHrw?view_as=subscriber

 

We are in the process of posting the last three in this series on a selection of ‘holy habits’.  These three are all on the holy habit of eating together, and we hope the full series will be available by the end of next week.

 

ALL AGE WORSHIP

Families at Home - Advent 3

Story time for the under-fives - Almost There

Singing together

All the angels sing by Doug Horley

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1j9VXnHC-u0

Singing with the Angels by Vineyard Worship

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6fUpINc-SI

Reading, watching, and listening together

All Age reflection with Nicola – Sharing the Joy

Waiting for joy (Isaiah 61.1-4,8-11)

A story to act out

Act out the roles ns someone tells the story. Someone who is sad, mourning, broken hearted, locked up or feeling weak. End up clothed in royal robes! As the reading progresses, you can act out each part of the reading.

"God’s on his way, just as he said! 

> PAUSE FOR ACTION. 

God’s Spirit works in us and through us. 

> PAUSE FOR ACTION. 

God brings good news to those who only ever hear bad news. 

> PAUSE FOR ACTION. 

God binds up those who have been broken hearted. 

> PAUSE FOR ACTION. 

God gives freedom to those who are trapped and feel they cannot get out. 

> PAUSE FOR ACTION. 

God comforts those who have lost everything and feel they have nothing. 

> PAUSE FOR ACTION. 

God brings joy to those who know only sadness. 

> PAUSE FOR ACTION. 

God gives strength to those who are weak. 

> PAUSE FOR ACTION. 

God does all this so that people will know how good and kind, and generous and gracious he really is. 

We are living examples of God’s goodness. He changes us inside and out. 

It is almost as if God gives us new clothes to wear; clothes that show how kind and gracious God is. 

> PAUSE FOR ACTION. 

When God is at work, goodness grows, just like flowers in a garden. 

God does all this so that people will know how good and kind, and generous and gracious he really is. We are living examples of God’s goodness."

© Copyright 2002-2020, ROOTS for Churches Ltd.

 

A simple verse and response. 

Refrain: God is so good, God is so good to me. 

God’s Spirit helps us. Refrain.
God brings good news to those who only ever hear bad news. Refrain.
God binds up those who have been broken hearted. Refrain.
God gives freedom to those who feel trapped. Refrain.
God comforts those who have lost everything. Refrain.
God brings joy to those who are sad. Refrain.
God gives strength to the weak. Refrain.
God is good and kind and generous. Refrain.

 

Praying together

God of joy,
as we celebrate this third Sunday of Advent,
with three candles lit and December progressing,
we lift up our hands in gratitude
for all that we have.
We turn towards each other – friends, family, community;
young and old – gladly thanking you
for the gifts that are all around us already.
Amen.

Light the Advent candle three,
we are searching, help us to see.
Help us know that you are near,
very soon you will be here.
Light the Advent candle three,
we are searching, help us to see.

 

A heart wrapped with love

You will need: A heart cut from strong card and some red wool. Wrap the wool around you heart.  Think about the people who you love and the people who you want to know that they are loved by God.  Continue to wrap the wool and ask God to come close to them.  Keep wrapping until all the heart is covered with a thick layer of wool.  Put a blob of glue on the end of the wool and tuck it into the heart to make it secure.

Hold the heart when you pray reminding you of God’s love for you   Place the heart in your pocket or by your bed as a reminder.

 

 

 

Creating together

Cone Nativity Set

Here is a Nativity set for you to colour and make or perhaps deign you own figures.

Download and print out the template https://kvisit.com/7wE/1eQG

Colour the shapes and then form a cone shape glueing along the tab on each figure.

Use your nativity to retell the story. 

You could make them into a mobile, tree decorations or bunting for the window.

 

SYNOD MISSION AND TRAINING EVENTS AND NOTICES

 

A Conversation Thursday 10^th December 10am

How are recent and current restrictions affecting you? How are you feeling about other national and global events? How are you approaching Christmas at this time? How are you supporting others who are struggling? Join us for an informal chat to share ideas for managing and thriving in these difficult times. Those who attended the first would be very welcome to join again. Email Lindsey for a link.

 

Exploring Eldership and Church Leadership

Following on from our overview of the role of Elder / Trustee in our churches. Suitable for all those in team leadership: ministers, stewards, deacons, elders and more. Online; max 90 minutes. Please email Lindsey to register.

• Local Church and Mission   January 7^th 7.30pm
• Local Church and Worship   January 13^th 7.30pm
• Local Church and Pastoral Care   January 20^th 7.30pm
• Church Secretary Training   January 27^th 7.30pm

 

Other events

Council for World Mission (Europe) Monday 14^th December 2-3.30pm

The fourth webinar on the theme of Building Life-Flourishing Communities: All welcome.  Register by emailing sainimili.kata@cwmission.org

Also do look at CWM’s Advent resources, which can be found here: https://www.cwmission.org/cwm-advent-reflections-2020-a-voice-cries-out

 

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 CHURCH OF ENGLAND

 

Lord Jesus Christ,
you taught us to love our neighbour,
and to care for those in need
as if we were caring for you.
In this time of anxiety, give us strength
to comfort the fearful, to tend the sick,
and to assure the isolated
of our love, and your love,
for your name’s sake.
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