Updates From the Rector - November 2020

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- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  Week Commencing 1st November 2020 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


Dear Friends,


Well the clocks have changed and darker evenings are now, sadly, upon us and our weather becoming colder - nonetheless my warmest of best wishes to all.  I trust this finds you safe, remaining vigilant and in good spirits.


UPDATE


Church matters re the pandemic remain absolutely the same.  So the briefest of 'updates' namely that whilst the R rate is rising our churches in the benefice are as covid-safe as possible, are compliant with all the guidance and our worship continues to be as safe as we can make it.  Care and concern for all remain our priority with a sense of continued mindfulness for those around us.


If you are unsure about exact details for how things are impacting these are in previous bulk-emails and quickly available with a mere click on the following link, scrolling across the bottom of the home page: www.wemcofe.co.uk  I am very grateful to Mike Farmer for continuing to keep these updated for us.


Any Church updates during the week or should our local or national circumstances dictate may be found at: www.churchofengland.org


QR CODES - Track & Trace App


If you have downloaded the Track & Trace App each church in the Benefice now has a QR code, clearly displayed, so quite obviously do please use this as elsewhere.  If using do please have your phone ready on entry to avoid queuing and ease congestion and so ease maintaining physical distancing.


THIS SUNDAY **ALL SAINTS SUNDAY**


This glorious Principal Feast on our Church's Calendar is truly one to celebrate, thankfully this year it falls on a Sunday to allow extra light and colour to illuminate our worship, wonderfully there will be a Eucharist to celebrate this special day in each of the churches in our benefice, these are:


08:00  Holy Eucharist in Wem (Quiet and reflective with no music or homily)

09:30  Holy Eucharist in Weston - also incorporating a late Harvest Festival - 

09:45  Holy Eucharist in Wem

11:15  Holy Eucharist in Lee


If you are able to come along to Sun worship again do make every effort to attend on this wonderful Feast day.


The details of worship for each parish Sunday by Sunday for November are detailed in our Nov Parish magazine which you will be receiving hot on the tails of this email


Continued best wishes to all of those who, understandably, are not as yet able to resume Sunday worship.  let us hope and pray that the day may not be long off when all our congregations are able to be together again.  Until then please be assured and know you are in the thoughts and prayers of those who are meeting and we are ALL still completely united in Faith, Hope and Love.

Opportunities to connect on-line or through other media for this Sun are: - 


LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL 

 

08:00  The Eucharist (traditional language)

10:30  Cathedral Eucharist for All Saints

  

OR


CHURCH of ENGLAND

 

Access the C of E website to find details of this week's service which you can also watch during the week, it is available from 09:00.   Do visit the site, there are some super services saved on here all of which are well worth a look at, some are quite splendid.


09:00 Sunday:  An All Saints’ service, "God is with us in our pain and fear".


The Bishop of London, Rt Rev Dame Sarah Mullally, leads this special service of thanksgiving, hope, and remembrance from St Paul’s Cathedral.

 

On the BBC

 

Radio Four:  08:10.  'All Saints' Day: All That Endures'.  In a year of upheaval when the familiar patterns of life have been overturned and so many people have been unexpectedly taken from us, the Rev Dr Alex Wimberley, leader of the Corrymeela Community in N Ireland, reflects on the memory and influence of the love and compassion of those we have lost.


BBC One:  13:15  Songs of Praise. Claire McCollum is in Dundee discovering its history and present.  Radzi Chinyanganya whose mother hails from the city visits the Roman Catholic church where he was baptised, the Compass Christian Centre and sees outdoor activities for young people from Dundee, whilst Claire meets local parish nurses who combine their medical skills with their faith to help young people on the road to recovery from addiction.


Please find attached the readings and a Homily for this Sunday (courtesy of Redemptorist publications) alongside copy of 'Live the Word' with the first in a three part series very briefly sketching some of the background to the earliest church.

 

Also find attached our Local Prayer Diary and our Diocesan Prayer Diary.


REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 8 NOV


Too clearly, as all will appreciate, Remembrance Sun cannot possibly be like previous years, however, that should not and hopefully will not dim our Remembrance.  We will still Remember.  We will also offer heartfelt prayers for those who still suffer through service to their country, for Peace and Hope for our divided world.


In practice what this means is:

WEM.  The parish Eucharist will be at 09:30 as in previous years.  However the Civic Service and Parade which usually attract such large numbers is clearly not feasible and the risk of any gathering too great therefore the Act of Remembrance, at 11:00, is to be limited to those laying a wreath.  Yet all are still able to participate as the Act will be live streamed and available thereafter on the Town Council and Parish Church Websites and FaceBook pages.  Do if you possibly can join in with this through whichever medium, yet follow the guidance of the Town Council, The Royal British Legion and myself as Rector in doing so from the safety of your own home.  There will be enormous significance in so many homes falling silent at the 11th hour of the 11th day and in this unity our remembrance will truly be undimmed.  Please see the attached poster for the live streamed link.


WESTON.  At 10:55 there will be a short outdoor service, socially distanced and Covid-19 guidance compliant, of remembrance in the parish churchyard.


Ever-living God,

we remember those whom you have gathered

from the storm of war into the peace of your presence;

may that same peace calm our fears,

bring justice to all peoples

and establish harmony among the nations,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.


WEM PARISH CHURCHYARD TIDY AND LEAF GATHERING


This will take place as every year on the eve of Remembrance Sunday.  Irrespective of the constraints on attendance at the Act of Remembrance we still wish the churchyard to be as pristine as possible - also of course this has always doubled up as a necessary removal of Autumnal leaves, keeping the churchyard rightly hallowed, a credit to the church and safe underfoot.


Saturday 7 Nov at 09:00 

(please bring a rake/brush/bin bags and sense of humour)

Many hands make light work and all are most welcome.  We will maintain necessary distancing protocols.


THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK


As we celebrate All Saints:


"The Church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints."  Abigail van Buren


Just as well really.................















Have the best week you can and please continue to take care and stay safe,


Nick

N P Heron

Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-under-Redcastle

01939 232550


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  Update 2nd November 2020 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


Dear Friends,


Please find attached the latest edition of our Parish magazine.  It's another bumper one this month so many thanks to all contributors.  


Confession time, I thought I had sent this..........if any mitigation the address list for the bulk email takes me some time and I save in between adding to, I guess I saved at the end and dully assumed I'd sent😕.  Therefore, too clearly, the 'Update' is no longer extant due to 'Lockdown 2'.  Rest assured that once I have a  full resume of the consequences for us I will email all with these.


Stay safe and take care,


Nick

N P Heron

Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-under-Redcastle

01939 232550


From the Web Master:

Please do not forget that all the Magazines from April are available on the Links page www.wemcofe.co.uk/links or via the links tab on the home page

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  Week Commencing 8th November 2020 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


Dear Friends,


Sometimes when words are repeated they can lose their 'umph', however, my best wishes to you and those closet to you could not be more meant, so I have no hesitation in saying again that I really hope this finds you and those near to you in the 'best of' - not least as we enter the first weekend of a 'lockdown 2'.  May you be in the very best of spirits, staying safe and bearing up.


UPDATE


Things have changed very considerably since my last email.  With effect from Thursday and the start of this lockdown public worship has again been suspended by the government.  This means that for the duration, as things stand, there will be no communal services in our churches.  Whilst this is very similar to the restrictions of earlier in the year this time our churches can remain open for private prayer, if PCCs deem this safe, moreover I can and will be able to celebrate the Eucharist on behalf of all in church, albeit on my own.  Church funerals are still permitted for up to 30 attenders but weddings and baptisms are not allowed.  Things may of course change - if they do I will inform as many as possible, as soon as possible.


Too clearly the service details in the Nov Parish Mag no longer apply.


From the C of E website updated as I prepped this:


'Our churches can remain open for individual prayer, which is defined as a person or household entering the venue to pray on their own and not as part of a group, led prayer or communal act. Collective or congregational prayer and regular scheduled services are not permitted. This includes a Minister of religion or lay person/volunteer leading devotions or prayer of any sort.'


In brief:

- No public worship at present.

- Similarly no weddings or baptisms.

- Church funerals for up to 30 are still permitted.

- Churches may remain open (at present in our benefice this means Wem from 09:00 -15:00 on Mon and on Fri)

- I will celebrate a eucharist for all in the benefice on each Sun and Holy Day, in a different church in rotation - this Sun, 8 Nov,

  09:30 in SS P & P's


Any Church updates during the week or should our local or national circumstances dictate may be found at: www.churchofengland.org


The C of E website contains as I hope you would expect a host of material and is well worth a looking at, as is the Facebook page, if you 'do' Facebook please pay this a visit.  On the Facebook page you can find a letter from the leaders of the main Faiths re lockdown, you may well have read or heard about it.  For those who may wish to read this yet have difficulty accessing it is attached.  It is good to know the leaders of the great world faiths in our country are able to work so closely together. 


THIS SUNDAY **REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY**

 

LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL

 

08:00   The Eucharist (traditional language)

10:30   Eucharist for Remembrance (to include the National Silence)

 

OR

 

Access the C of E website to find details of this week's service which you can also watch during the week, it is available from 09:00.   Do visit the site, there are some super services saved on here all of which are well worth a look at, some are quite splendid.


09:00 Sunday:  Service of Remembrance.   This online service marks Remembrance Sunday.   Led from the Royal Military Chapel by Rev John Vincent CF, the service honours those who gave their lives for the peace of our nation.

 

THIS SUNDAY on BBC


Radio Four:  08:10. 'Seek higher things.' A service for Remembrance Sunday from Royal Air Force College Cranwell in its centenary year.  Preacher The Ven John Ellis Chaplain-in-Chief RAF.   RAF personnel speak of their experience of God in their life of service, as a nurse looking after Covid patients, as the newest officer in the RAF, and as a junior officer whose fast jet father lost his life on active service.


BBC One:  10:15.  Remembrance Sunday: The Cenotaph.  David Dimbleby present live coverage of the Remembrance commemorations.

                    13:15.  Songs of Praise.  For Remembrance Sunday:  Aled Jones visits the Brecon Beacons, where the British military has                      trained since the Second World War


Please find attached the readings and a Homily for this Sunday (courtesy of Redemptorist publications) alongside copy of 'Live the Word' with the second in a three part series very briefly sketching some of the background to the earliest church.

 

Also find attached our Local Prayer Diary and our Diocesan Prayer Diary.


REMEMBRANCE IN OUR BENEFICE


Too clearly, as all will appreciate, Remembrance Sun cannot possibly be like previous years, however, that should not and hopefully will not dim our Remembrance.  We will still Remember.  We will also offer heartfelt prayers for those who still suffer through service to their country, for Peace and Hope for our divided world.


In practice what this means is:


WEM.  The Civic Service and Parade which usually attract such large numbers is clearly not feasible and the risk of any gathering too great therefore the Act of Remembrance, at 11:00, is to be limited solely to those laying a wreath.  Yet all are still able to participate as the Act will be live streamed and available thereafter on the Town Council and Parish Church Websites and Facebook pages.  Do if you possibly can join in with this through whichever medium, yet follow the guidance of the Town Council, The Royal British Legion and myself as Rector in doing so from the safety of your own home.  There will be enormous significance in so many homes falling silent at the 11th hour of the 11th day and in this unity our remembrance will truly be undimmed.  Please see the attached poster for the live streamed link.   (The Eucharist for the Benefice will be celebrated in the Parish Church as above.)   After The Act of Remembrance there will be a solitary muffled peal, thanks Gareth for this poignant, timeless addition.


WESTON.  At 10:55 there will be a short outdoor service of, socially distanced and Covid-19 guidance compliant, remembrance in the parish churchyard.


Ever-living God,

we remember those whom you have gathered

from the storm of war into the peace of your presence;

may that same peace calm our fears,

bring justice to all peoples

and establish harmony among the nations,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.


WEM PARISH CHURCHYARD TIDY AND LEAF GATHERING CANCELLED


This would be wholly inappropriate in the midst of a lockdown and has therefore been cancelled.  Many thanks from all to Keith and John (and I strongly suspect others too) for stepping up to the plate and quietly and guidance compliantly ensuring all looks as good and is as slip free as possible for Sunday.


PRAYER FOR THE NATION AND THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK


Our Archbishops have called for all who are moved to pray daily for our world at or around 18:00, 'we have asked every church to pray each day at 6pm.   We invite you to join with us. You’ll be able to find simple resources on the C of E website and social media channels'.  Please find attached the very encouraging, inspirational even, letter 'To the Nation' which calls for this.  Do read in its entirety.


The letter concludes with words which are way beyond a 'Thought for the week', redolent with care, inclusivity and hope..........


'Even though there is much darkness around us, there are also many points of light in the weeks ahead.  

'This Sunday is Remembrance Day. As we remember the courage and sacrifice of those who gave everything for this nation in war, we are also reminded of the possibility for hope after destruction, of new life after suffering. In the coming weeks, there are great religious ceremonies. For Hindus, Sikhs and Jains there is Diwali, the festival of light. Sikhs will celebrate the birth of Guru Nanak. The Jewish community will observe Hanukkah. Many Muslim communities have just celebrated Eid-e-Milad, the anniversary of the birth of Muhammad. 

Soon it will be Christmas. At his birth Jesus was also called Emmanuel. It’s a word that appears in lots of carols. It means ‘God is with us’. And this is the message of Christmas: in Jesus, God is with us, sharing our darkness and our struggles, bringing comfort and joy. It is the source of our hope. As the Bible says: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1:5) Let us shine in the darkness of this winter.' 














With my every good wish, take care and stay safe


Nick

N P Heron

Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-under-Redcastle

01939 232550


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  Week Commencing 15th November 2020 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


Dear Friends,


I trust this finds you in good spirits as we move through 'lockdown 2' and that you are continuing to take care and staying safe.  It is certainly safe to read on as this is a slightly shorter weekly bulk email!  Each week there are others added to the address list, if you wish to read/catch up on previous iterations they are available, with many thanks to Mike Farmer, at www.wemcofe.co.uk 


UPDATE


Things remain exactly as for the past week, namely:


'Our churches can remain open for individual prayer, which is defined as a person or household entering the venue to pray on their own and not as part of a group, led prayer or communal act. Collective or congregational prayer and regular scheduled services are not permitted. This includes a Minister of religion or lay person/volunteer leading devotions or prayer of any sort.'


In brief:

 - No public worship at present

 - Similarly no weddings or baptisms

 - Church funerals for up to 30 are still permitted

 - Churches may remain open (at present in our benefice this means Wem from 0900 -1500 on Mon and on Fri)

 - I will celebrate a eucharist for all in the benefice on each Sun and Holy Day, in a different church in rotation - this Sun, 15 Nov,

 1030 in

St Peter's, Lee.


Any Church updates during the week or should our local or national circumstances dictate may be found at: www.churchofengland.org


As this site rightly says:


'We acknowledge and share the sadness many are feeling at not being able to meet together as we used to do. We prayerfully and confidently look forward to the day when we can all meet together again.'


The C of E website contains as I hope you would expect a host of material and is well worth a looking at, as is the Facebook page, if you 'do' Facebook please pay this a visit.  On the Facebook page you can find a letter from the leaders of the main Faiths re lockdown, you may well have read or heard about it.  Last week I thought I had attached this but actually not done so, it is attached this week.  It is good to know the leaders of the great world faiths in our country are able to work so closely together. 


THIS SUNDAY THE SECOND BEFORE ADVENT

 

LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL 

 

08:00   The Eucharist (traditional language)

10:30   Choral Eucharist

  

OR


Access the C of E website to find details of this week's service which you can also watch during the week, it is available from 09:00.   Do visit the site, there are some super services saved on here all of which are well worth a look at, some are quite splendid.


09;00 Sunday:  'Celebrating friendships that cross continents.'  Join in celebrating friendships that cross continents, with this online service from the Anglican Communion. Led by Bishop Anthony Poggo, the service includes a sermon from Sheran Harper, President of the Mother’s Union, and reflects on how communities in different parts of the world support one another in both good and hard times.


THIS SUNDAY on BBC

 

Radio Four:  08:10   'It's complicated.'  The Rev Douglas Gay, Principal of Trinity College Glasgow, and The Rev Dr Carolyn Kelly, Chaplain to Glasgow University explore the mixed feelings experienced when faith has to reckon with the complexities of life.


BBC One:  13:15.  Songs of Praise.  'Aled Jones' Faith Journey.'  Exploring how his faith has shaped his life and singing.  As you might expect with some of his favourite hymns (probably some of yours too).


Please find attached the readings and a Homily for this Sunday (courtesy of Redemptorist publications) alongside copy of 'Live the Word' with the last in a three part series very briefly sketching some of the background to the earliest church.

 

Also find attached our Local Prayer Diary and our Diocesan Prayer Diary.


PRAYER FOR THE NATION 


On Wednesday 4 November, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York and Bishop of London called the Church of England to prayer for the nation throughout the month of November.


'We call upon the Church of England to make November 2020 a month of prayer for our nation. We know that we are in the faithful hands of the risen Christ who knows our weaknesses, tiredness and struggles and whose steadfast love endures forever.'


You can find simple resources on the C of E website and social media channels.  


MAGAZINE


After several 'bumper' editions and excellent articles and inputs it is time to ask for any for this coming month.  Do please keep up the good work and let either Pam or myself have these in the near future - not least if you have been too shy to offer anything as yet....we'd love to hear from you.


THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK


As we work our way through 'lockdown 2' perhaps we can see our actions as far more than merely obeying regulation;  surely each act of care and concern, extra step taken or option not to do what we would selfishly prefer (hard though that may sometimes be) whenever we go the 'extra mile' for other's well-being, every time we are vigilant..........are they not acts borne out of our love?


“Acts of hope and love point to the extraordinary promise that every human life is of inestimable value.” – Desmond Tutu














Keep looking after each other, take care and stay safe,


Nick

N P Heron

Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-under-Redcastle

01939 232550


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  Week Commencing 22nd November 2020 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


Dear Friends,


This is sent with my very best wishes, may you be in the best of spirits and as well as possible.  For sure we are not yet 'out of the woods' nationally and our local level of infection rate encourages me to say a heartfelt please keep taking care and staying vigilant.  It will be no surprise to any that matters this week re our Benefice and coronavirus responses is exactly as per last week.  Therefore, primarily for this reason, a shorter bulk email (amen you may say?!).  If you wish to be reminded of recent updates past copies of my emails are at www.wemcofe.co.uk with many thanks indeed to Mike F for this.


UPDATE


As said the same Governmental restrictions remain in place, namely:


- No public worship at present.

- Similarly no weddings or baptisms.

- Church funerals, for up to 30, are still permitted.

- Churches may remain open (at present in our benefice this means Wem from 09:00 – 15:00 on Mon and on Fri).


I will celebrate a eucharist for all in the benefice on each Sun and Holy Day, in a different church in rotation - this Sun, 22 Nov, 10:30 in St Luke's, Weston


Any Church updates during the week or should our local or national circumstances dictate may be found at: www.churchofengland.org


As this site rightly says:


'We acknowledge and share the sadness many are feeling at not being able to meet together as we used to do. We prayerfully and confidently look forward to the day when we can all meet together again.'


THIS SUNDAY:  THE FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING

 

LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL


08:00   The Eucharist (traditional language)

10:30   Choral Eucharist for the Feast of Christ the King

 

 OR

 

Access the C of E website to find details of this week's service which you can also watch during the week, it is available from 09:00.   Do visit the site, there are some super services saved on here, I can be uber critical of services (most especially those I have led I hasten to add) however am almost always incredibly impressed by the breadth and impact of these.


09:00 Sunday:  A service of Prayer for the Nation.  This online service of Prayer for the Nation comes from Durham Cathedral and is led by the Bishop of Durham with contributions from the Dean of Durham.  Of course, the service also marks the Feast of Christ the King.


THIS SUNDAY on BBC


Radio Four:  08:10  'Student life in Lockdown.'  With our lives impacted by the rues of lockdown, many are struggling with loneliness and the absence of the people we love.  With tight restrictions prescribed for university students particularly, how are they finding some semblance of normal life?   This service from Holy Trinity, Platt in Manchester explores these issues through the lens of faith.


BBC One:  14:15  Songs of Praise.  'Young chorister of the year – semi-final.'  From the resplendent Gorton monastery in Manchester.


No, the two BBC offerings are not a Mancunian coup, wonderful though that would be :-))  How encouraging though to have two back to back expressions of faith from a new generation.


Please find attached the readings and a Homily for this Sunday (courtesy of Redemptorist publications) alongside copy of  'Live the Word'.

 

Also find attached our Local Prayer Diary and our Diocesan Prayer Diary.


MAGAZINE


After several 'bumper' editions and excellent articles and inputs it is time to ask for any for this coming month.  Do please keep up the good work and let either Pam or myself have these in the near future - not least if you have been too shy to offer anything as yet....we'd love to hear from you.  Please don't hang around.....it's almost 'last orders' for these.


THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK


“If God is the source of life, I worship God by living. If God is the source of love I worship God by loving. If God is the ground of being, I worship God by having the courage to be more fully human;”  Bishop John Shelby Spong


"Stir up, we beseech thee, O lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously be rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord.'

Prayer for the Last Sunday of Trinity (according to the Book of Common Prayer)














Have the best week that you possibly can and look after yourselves by staying safe and taking care,


Nick

N P Heron

Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-under-Redcastle

01939 232550


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  Week Commencing 29th November 2020 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


Dear Friends,


Well the season has now well and truly changed into winter, however we have had a couple of relatively glorious days which I hope have lifted your spirits, if needed, and that this email finds you as well as possible and importantly still taking care. 


UPDATE


It can scarcely have come as surprise to any to learn we will be moving into tier 2 following the end of lockdown on 2nd Dec, subject of course to parliamentary ratification.  Our National Church is still assimilating the detail as to where we are exactly apropos guidance, our lead Bishop, the Bishop of London writes on the C of E website as of Fri (22:00):


Bishop Sarah, who Chairs the Church of England's Recovery Group, said: "We are encouraged by the confirmation that places of worship will soon be able to reopen for public worship in all tiers and in all parts of the country.   "Churches and cathedrals can now approach Advent and Christmas with more certainty; a time when we know many people will look forward to attending services celebrating the birth of Jesus.  "We await more detailed guidance and will update our own advice once this is published." 


What I can say for now is that we will, Laus Deo, resume our services across the Benefice on Sun 6 Dec (St Nick's Day!) and that the significant difference in churches across the tiers will be who we can or cannot ‘interact’ with.  For us in tier 2 this means we can only interact with those 'within our household or support bubble' (from the governmental paper).   Specifically regarding weddings and funerals:  across all three tiers these will be able to carry on.  The limit for weddings, wedding receptions and ‘wakes’ is set by the government at 15 guests. However, in tier 3 wedding receptions will not be allowed. The number who can attend a funeral will remain across the tiers at 30 (i.e. as now).


When we do resume worship rest assured that the same covid-19 safety measures will be absolutely as before to ensure we are as safe as we can be when we worship, if you wish to refresh you awareness of these they may be found with previous emails at: www.wemcofe.co.uk with continued thanks to Mike Farmer for his diligence.


Any National Church updates during the week may be found at: www.churchofengland.org


Equally please rest assured that our continued best wishes will go to all of those who, understandably, are not as yet able to resume Sunday worship.  Let us hope and pray that the day may not be long off when all our congregations are able to be together again.  Until then please know you are in the thoughts and prayers of those who are meeting and we are ALL still completely united in Faith, Hope and Love.


I will celebrate a Eucharist for all in the benefice on this Advent Sun, 29th Nov, 10:30 in SS Peter & Paul's, Wem.


CHURCH OPENING:  Wem Parish Church will remain open on Monday and Friday for private prayer from 09:00 to 15:00 and this Advent Sunday Lee Parish Church will be open from 10:00 to 16:00.


THIS SUNDAY:  ADVENT SUNDAY


LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL

 

08:00   The Eucharist (traditional language)

10:30   Choral Eucharist for Advent Sunday

18:00   Virtual Advent Sunday Carol Service

  

OR

 

Access the C of E website to find details of this week's service which you can also watch during the week, it is available from 09:00. Do visit the site, there are some super services saved on here.


09:00   Advent Sunday:  Worship at Home for the First Sunday of Advent with St Martin-in-the-Field.  Mark the First Sunday of Advent with this online 'Comfort and Joy' service. From St Martin in the Fields with Rev Sam Wells, the service observes the start of Advent with music, reflection and prayer.


THIS SUNDAY on BBC

 

Radio Four:  08:10   'Cities of Promise - A place for good.'  In the first of an Advent series, theologian and scholar of Celtic Christianity, Gilbert Markus and parish spiritual director, Anne Buhrmann, mark the eve of St Andrew's Day by reflecting that cities have always represented the worst and best of humanity, and by offering a vision of the values on which they can be built.


BBC One:  12:20  Songs of Praise.  'Young chorister of the year -  second semi final.'  Again from the resplendent Gorton monastery in Manchester.


Please find attached the readings and a Homily for this Sunday (courtesy of Redemptorist publications) alongside copy of 'Live the Word'.

 

Also find attached our Local Prayer Diary and our Diocesan Prayer Diary.


BISHOP MICHAEL'S ADVENT SERMON


Our Diocesan Bishop, Michael, has thoughtfully, kindly distributed his Advent Sermon.  It is in many ways far from myself to pass comment on our Bishop's words, however, it is not only a lovely, supportive act but it is filled with Adventide hope and realism.  I only hope that you take the time to read this gift, and gift it truly is, and gain from it as much as I have.


ST ANDREW'S DAY


Monday (30th Nov) is the Feast of St Andrew.  Named among the disciples in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke yet most prominent in John's Gospel.  Andrew was a Galilean fisherman who once called by Jesus (whilst mending his nets) stayed with his Lord until the end.  On this day might we all at some point join together in praying the following collect?


Almighty God,

who gave such grace to your apostle St Andrew

that he readily obeyed the call of your Son Jesus Christ

and brought his brother with him:

call us by your holy word,

and give us grace to follow you without delay

and tell the good news of your kingdom;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.


MAGAZINE


This month's Parish mag is now complete and will be posted out - again on-line -  in the next day or so.


WEM PARISH NOTICEBOARD


For some considerable time SS Peter and Paul's have been looking forwards to a new church noticeboard, well at last Thu morning came, the phone rang and the delivery was with us.  For those from Wem unable to see this for a while please find attached photos and/or visit the parish website.


THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK


A shade longer than my usual prompts to reflection, however, how could I wish to do other than offer this?  From +Michael's Advent Sermon: - 


"In a few weeks, we will be telling again the great story of the gift of Emmanuel. His name means ‘God-is-with-us’, and  that is the meaning of his life: he comes in Jesus to be born among us, to share our sorrows as well as our joys, and never ever to leave us. It will be an unusual Christmas this year, but it will certainly be Christmas. Maybe, as some of the dear familiar  things we are so used to cannot happen this year, and the dear  familiar people we love cannot join us, we will be able to focus a bit more clearly on what it is all about. This year we celebrated Easter when the death rate from the virus was at its highest, and we were locked down in our homes: what a time to proclaim Jesus’ new life bursting from the tomb. And at the darkest time of this dark year we will celebrate Christmas, feast of the shining light that never can be overcome. Here is hope for us and here is hope for our world."














Stay safe and take care, I hope to see many of you very soon,


Nick 

N P Heron

Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-under-Redcastle

01939 232550




- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  Update 30th November 2020 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


Dear Friends,


Happy St Andrew's Day!  


Please find attached the December Parish magazine, please also find attached three splendid inputs which for reasons of IT we couldn't include.  Of especial note may be 'Comfort and Joy', the C of E Advent and Christmas initiative.  There is lots of splendid material available on-line for all of us to access at:  churchofengland.org/ComfortAndJoy

I trust this finds you as well as possible, take care,


Nick

N P Heron

Rector of Wem, Lee Brockhurst and Weston-under-Redcastle

01939 232550