Dear Church Friends,
How are you all this week? I’m sure many of you will be apprehensive about the move to Step 4 of the Coronavirus roadmap on 19th July, when most legal restrictions will be removed, and the responsibility for keeping each other safe moves to individuals and organisations. The Elders have decided that we should take cautious measures to ease people back in for a few months, so there will be a phased return to worship and activities in the church. After this week, there will no longer be a requirement to inform the Acting Church Secretary of your intention to attend worship each week. The church’s Risk Assessment will be under constant review.
We hope that those of you who have not yet returned to church will want, at some stage when you feel confident enough, to re-join us for worship in the sanctuary. I will issue further details of the way forward in a newsletter next week. It is likely, but not yet confirmed that:
1. Whilst in the Church and during worship, it would be courteous, and respectful of the need to keep each other safe, if we continued, for the time-being, to wear face-masks if possible.
2. We will, as permitted, resume singing our hymns, but again we feel it would contribute to keeping each other safe if we sing softly behind our masks. (If singing behind your mask is uncomfortable or causes distress, you may remove your mask for singing, but please sing softly and do not project your voice.)
3. The order and length of service may be different from the normal one.
4. From Sunday 25th July, we hope to provide a short time for coffee/tea and biscuits after the service, but in a slightly different way as you will be served at your table.
At this point, I should like to thank those who have been looking after the church and gardens since March 2020; those who have made sure the church is as Covid safe as possible; those who have acted as stewards when Sunday services have taken place; Rev Jim and Rev Janet who have been at the end of the phone and given help when needed. All of those involved in keeping the church together have shown dedication and unstinting service to the work of God in our church and I thank the Lord for his work through these people during difficult times.
I am sorry to have to inform you that unfortunately there was a forced break-in at the church earlier this week. You will be relieved to hear that nothing was stolen and not too much damage done to the door. This was reported to the Police and the lock has been repaired.
No blue tits used our nest box this summer, but recently I have seen activity of a different type around the box. Insects – I’m not sure what type – are flying in and out. Unfortunately, I can’t see them closely enough to guess at whether they are a type of bee or not. Time might tell! Does anyone know anything about insects using bird boxes?
I have read of a story about a kettle which had found the perfect recipe for life and could be a lesson for us all.
“Take panes,” said the window.
“Never be led,” said the pencil.
“Do a driving business,” said the hammer.
“Aspire to do great things,” said the cheese grater.
“Make light of everything,” said the fire.
“Make much of small things,” said the pair of spectacles.
“Never do anything offhand,” said the glove.
“Just reflect,” said the mirror.
“Be sharp,” said the knife.
“Find a good thing and stick to it,” said the glue.
Most people probably use electric kettles these days but when people used whistling kettles, some people may have thought that the kettle whistled when it was happy and doing its job!
Some thoughts by Jean Harris
Offer to fetch,
Offer to carry,
Offer to lend a hand.
Offer to listen,
Offer to stay,
Offer time
To understand.
Our Worship on Sunday 18th July at 10.45am will be led by Linda Lunn
Please book before 6pm on Saturday 17th July
Our Worship on Sunday 25th July at 10.45am will be led by Stuart Gay
There is no longer a requirement to inform the Acting Church Secretary of your intention to attend worship each week.
You are invited to Afternoon Tea
at Jim’s Manse
5 Elm Close
Poulton-Le-Fylde. FY6 8FU
Monday 2nd August 2pm-5pm
No need to book – just turn up. If the weather lets us down then please make your way to Elswick Church where we will have a roof over our heads!
Let us pray
Dear Lord Jesus,
We pray for your family in our church. Comfort the anxious, strengthen those with health problems, uplift those whose faith has been tested, and be there to guide us through the new normal as restrictions are relaxed. Thank you for Your Holy Spirit within us. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Please join me in saying the Grace together.
May the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen
God Bless you all
Ruth
