Rectors Message

Updates From the Rector - December 2020

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Week Commencing 6th December 2020 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dear Friends,

There has been a great deal of welcome news in the last week, nonetheless behind all all of this is the imperative that we all continue to strive to do all we can to stay safe and remain vigilant. No doubt you are doing so and in this may you be in good spirits and as well as possible. As announced last week the move out of 'lockdown 2' means that governmental restrictions on public worship are once again lifted - subject of course to our following intelligent guidance re covid-safety and limits to our social interactions (as elsewhere). So....

UPDATE

Thankfully we will be resuming public worship across the Benefice from Sun 6 Dec with the same covid-19 safety measure in place as before. The one significant difference being that:-

"in tiers 2 (high risk area) the ‘rule of six’ does not apply. In these areas individuals, households and support bubbles can attend worship but must not mingle with others and physical distancing must be maintained."

This is a mildly abridged excerpt direct from the C of E website. National Church updates and detailed guidance, as always, may be found at: www.churchofengland.org

With specific regard to:

Funerals: these may take place subject to government stipulation that the limit for numbers is 30 (in our tier 15 is the number permitted for receptions following).

Weddings: again, in our tier these may take place subject to a limitation on numbers of 15 for both the service and subsequent reception.

At any service, as you would hopefully now expect in addition to the rule regarding social interaction the following necessary precautions, solely to keep us safe, are imperative. Now second nature, they are certainly not optional. In short:

* Always sanitise hands on entry, after touching anything 'communal' and before Communion

* Wear your mask whenever attending worship

* Singing is not permitted

* All attenders will be asked to either provide details for track and trace or utilise the QR codes provided

* For our Eucharists, at present, communion will continue to be in one kind

* At all times keep to physical distancing - the 2 metre rule

* Follow any other guidance of the church wardens or sidespeople / welcomers.

CHURCH OPENING: Wem Parish Church will remain open on Mon and Fri for private prayer from 0900 to 1500

THIS SUNDAY - THE SECOND SUNDAY of ADVENT

08:00 Holy Eucharist (Wem)

09:30 Holy Eucharist (Weston)

09:45 Holy Eucharist (Wem)

11:15 Holy Eucharist (Lee)

Equally please rest assured that our continued best wishes 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.

SOME SERVICES AVAILABLE VIA DIFFERENT MEDIA

LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL

08:00 The Eucharist (traditional language)

10:30 Choral Eucharist for The Second Sunday of Advent

17:30 Evensong

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 Worship at Home for the Second Sunday of Advent with HOPE Together.

HOPE Together lead the Comfort and Joy online service for the Second Sunday of Advent. The service is led by Rev Yemi Adedeji and Rachel Jordan-Wolf preaches on the theme of waiting.

THIS SUNDAY on BBC

Radio Four: 08:10 'Cities of Promise - A place for nature.' In the second of an Advent series, this led by The Rev Dr Rob Marshall, Rector of Digswell, Welwyn Garden City. It explores the biblical view of a redeemed city, a place where human culture is valued alongside restored relationships - a place of worship and beauty.

BBC One: 11:30 Sunday Worship. From the Church of the Holy Rude in Stirling, Scotland. Led by The Rev Alan Millar with hymns from the Songs of Praise archives.

BBC One: 13:15 Songs of Praise. 'Young chorister of the year - Final.' Again from the resplendent Gorton monastery in Manchester. The final of the first joint Songs of Parise and BBC Radio 2 Young Chorister of the Year competition, each of the finalists perform their chosen Christmas carols or songs for the judges.

Please find attached the readings and homilies for Sundays in Dec (courtesy of Redemptorist publications) alongside our Local Prayer Diary and the Diocesan Prayer Diary.

BISHOP MICHAEL'S ADVENT SERMON

Our Diocesan Bishop, Michael, has thoughtfully, kindly distributed his Advent Sermon. It is not only a lovely, supportive act but it is filled with Adventide hope and realism. I only hope that you may have had the time to read this gift, and gift it truly is, and gain from it as much as I have. For those who may not I have attached again in the hope that all may do so. Please also find attached an equally powerful Pastoral letter from our bishop.

10 DEC - HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

Prayer for human rights — Joint Liturgical Group, UK

As the nations mark Human Rights Day on 10 December, we pray that governments worldwide will ensure their people have adequate health care, proper provision of food, clothing, housing and social welfare.

We pray that all will be provided with the security of a basic income, the opportunity of a free education, and the guarantee of mutual respect of faith, freedom of speech and equal access to justice and the law.

Please join your prayers with so many the world over on Thu 10 Dec that all may know those rights, universal by definition, which we perhaps too often take for granted.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Sure we are really only just at the beginning of Advent yet so often in our individual conversations a lot of the talk has been about Christmas, equally this has been very prevalent in all our media (at times one might say it almost seems a fixation). As we walk through Advent we will hear and be a part of these conversations and see and read much about the coming season. +Michael's words in his Pastoral Letter can give us perspective to ground our faith in what really matters as we experience those conversations and hear these discussions:

"So the heart of Christmas this year will be the same as every year, and indeed it may be easier for us to see what that heart is. The numbers with whom we can meet as family and friends may be few, but Christ will surely make his home among us if we welcome him in. We may not sit down to so many or so exuberant meals, or indulge in so many cheerful social drinks together; but he still gives us his body and blood as food and drink to strengthen us. We may not be able to belt out our favourite Christmas carols in church as usual, but the song of the angels is not silenced, telling the good news of salvation, and urging us, like they urged the shepherds: ‘Do not be afraid’."

N P Heron

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

01939 232550

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Week Commencing 13th December 2020 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dear Friends,

I trust this finds you in the best of spirits as in these strange times we move through Advent and towards Christmas. There is little by way of an update this week and all seems quiet as we, I hope and pray, continue to keep ourselves and one another safe, so a short update this week -

UPDATE

There are no changes to government restrictions or Church guidance re worship, as these remain the same if you need to refresh your memory from previous emails please click here to go to the Church web site.

To elucidate these again would probably drive most of you to polite distraction, Church updates and detailed guidance, as always, may be found at: www.churchofengland.org

THIS SUNDAY - THE THIRD SUNDAY of ADVENT

08:00 Holy Eucharist (Wem)

09:45 Holy Eucharist (Wem)

11:15 Holy Eucharist (Lee)

Rest assured that our continued best wishes 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.

CHURCH OPENING

Wem Parish Church will remain open on Mon and Fri for private prayer from 09:00 to 15:00.

SOME SERVICES AVAILABLE VIA DIFFERENT MEDIA

LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL

08:00 The Eucharist (traditional language)

10:30 Choral Eucharist for The Third Sunday of Advent

17:30 Evensong

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: Worship at Home for the Third Sunday of Advent: A Christingle service with the Children's Society.

The whole country is invited to join The Children’s Society’s first ever online National Christingle Service in partnership with the Church of England. The service will include Royal President of The Children’s Society, HRH The Duchess of Gloucester, along with the Archbishop of Canterbury, who is sharing a message of support along with the charity’s Vice-Chair of Trustees, the Bishop of Derby, Libby Lane. Mark Russell, CEO of the The Children’s Society, shares the address.

THIS SUNDAY on the BBC

Radio Four: 08:10 - 'Cities of Promise - A place in the heart.' The third of an Advent series. During this era of Covid the city seems to have become devalued as a place of human flourishing, however, this need not be so and cities may be a place where human culture is valued alongside restored relationships - a place of beauty and worship of the living God. Father Martin Magill and the Rev David Compton reflect on what this means for the city of Belfast.

BBC One: 11:30 - Sunday Worship. From the chapel of Royal Holloway, University of London. An ecumenical service led by the chaplain, Father John Dickson with hymns and carols from the Songs of Praise archives

BBC One: 13:15 - Songs of Praise. Christmas in Norfolk. Visiting a Christmas light show, discussing the meaning behind Gaudete Sunday, seeing Christmas hampers bringing cheer to familes in need and reflecting on a family facing a Christmas like no other in the light of the service in St Paul's cathedral earlier this week remembering those who have lost their lives as a result of Covid-19. Also featuring Christmas carols.

[If the mention of Christmas carols in two of the above services when we are 14 days away from Christmas Day, as I type, raises an eyebrow rest assured you are not alone]

Please find attached the readings and homilies for the week commencing 13th Dec (courtesy of Redemptorist publications) alongside our Local Prayer Diary and the Diocesan Prayer Diary.

CHRISTMAS

Understandably people are wondering if we will be able to have our Christmas services this year. Of course matters may change but I cannot see anything other than our being able to joyously celebrate the Nativity with a Eucharist in each parish which will be as follows:

Wem:

23:30 Midnight Mass of the Nativity

08:00 Holy Eucharist

09:45 Family Eucharist for Christmas Day

Weston:

09:30 Family Eucharist for Christmas Day

Lee:

11:15 Family Eucharist for Christmas Day

Of course the greatest of care will be needed apropos numbers and social distancing and the now 'usual' rules will most certainly still apply, the virus will not be on holiday! Rest assured the church wardens and myself will be addressing any questions not least that of numbers.

SHELTER

Each Advent and pending festive season all, not least Christians given Our Lord's homeless birth, think of those who are homeless amidst a time of celebration and gathering for most. On Mon 14 Dec Shelter are inviting us to join in an on-line vigil for those who have died whilst homeless and remember this need which is dire at any time but perhaps especially so at present. Please go to the following link.

http://email.shelter.org.uk/c/127GvRGlDKhlpSeD59FenLh6i

From Matthew chapter 25 (RSV)

'Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'

Please continue to look after one another by staying safe and taking care, every good wish,

Nick

N P Heron

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

01939 232550

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Week Commencing 20th December 2020 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dear Friends,

Well, less than a week to the great Feast of the Nativity! I trust this finds you in continued good spirits and doing all you can to keep others and yourself safe. There will be another email as this before Christmas this and there being no changes to our local of national picture from the Church perspective means another, relatively, shorter email.

UPDATE

There are no changes to government restrictions or Church guidance re worship, as these remain the same if you need to refresh your memory from previous emails please go to: www.wemcofe.co.uk My thanks once again to Mike Farmer for so diligently keeping this up to date. Church updates and detailed guidance, as always, may be found at: www.churchofengland.org

THIS SUNDAY - THE FOURTH SUNDAY of ADVENT

08:00. Holy Eucharist (Wem)

09:45. Holy Eucharist (Wem)

11:15. Holy Eucharist (Lee)

CHURCH OPENING: This week Wem Parish Church will be open on Mon for private prayer from 09:00 to 15:00.

SOME SERVICES AVAILABLE VIA DIFFERENT MEDIA

LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL

08:00. The Eucharist (traditional language)

10:30. Choral Eucharist for The Fourth Sunday of Advent

15:00. Evensong and Share the Gift service

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: Worship at Home for the Fourth Sunday of Advent with Marie Curie. Introduced by Rev Kate Bottley, this service for the Fourth Sunday of Advent is in partnership with Marie Curie. This online service pays tribute to those suffering from illness, bereavement and mental health setbacks.

THIS SUNDAY on BBC

Radio Four: 0810. 'Cities of Promise - A place for the Saviour.' The fourth of an Advent series. A service for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, from the UK's smallest city: St David's. Led by Canon Leigh Richardson, with an address by the Very Reverend Dr Sarah Rowland Jones.

BBC One: 1315. Songs of Praise. 'The UK's Favourite Carol.' from the glorious setting of St Paul's Cathedral. Aled Jones counts down the 'top ten carols' with the Choir of St Paul's, an array of guests, panel of carol enthusiasts and fascinating histories behind some of the UK's best loved carols.

Please find attached the readings and homilies for Sundays 20 Dec. My thanks again to Mike F, this time for unravelling these from the monthly bulk email! (courtesy of Redemptorist publications). Also our Local Prayer Diary and the Diocesan Prayer Diary.

CHRISTMAS

We shall joyously celebrate the Nativity with a Eucharist in each parish, of course and quite rightly we will embrace the necessary covid-19 restrictions, for this is a very different year - and in church is no exception. However, celebration takes many forms and celebrate we still shall!! Our Masses / Eucharists will be as follows:

Wem:

23:30. Midnight Mass of the Nativity

08:00. Holy Eucharist

09:45. Family Eucharist for Christmas Day

Weston:

09:30. Family Eucharist for Christmas Day

Lee:

11:15. Family Eucharist for Christmas Day

Of course the greatest of care will be needed apropos numbers and social distancing and the now 'usual' rules will most certainly still apply, the virus will not be on holiday, yet our numbers may well be close to capacity. With this in mind you may wish to consider this year making your Christmas Communion on Sun 27 when there will be, as always, a Communion in Wem at 0800 and 0945 - for this year it will be a service for the whole benefice. To make your communion then will still in every sense be a Christmas Communion and may do one of two things - if you have some trepidation about attending with swelled numbers then it will certainly allay these and keep you safe, equally it may serve to make our Christmas Day attendances more 'manageable' ......Do consider this.

ON-LINE SERVICES IN THE BENEFICE

In the absence of our usual Carol Services a Christmas Reflection has been created for all to engage in safely at home. It is a stimulating compilation of stellar versions of traditional carols, more contemporary songs, the traditional readings, poetry and redolent imagery designed to focus on contemporary reflections on the Gospel truthes. Alongside this a professionally recorded Christmas Communion (from St P&P's) will be available especially for those who for such good reason are unable to attend in person this year. The size of the files necessitates the creation of a YouTube channel - desperately easy to access, even I can do so! - The link for these will be with all soon, YouTube channel awaiting verification as I type.

THOUGHT FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS

A precis of Bishop Michael's Advent Sermon already referred to says so much to focus our hearts and minds over the next few days:

"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....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."

Keep looking after one another and yourselves - with every good wish, take care,

Nick

N P Heron

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

01939 232550

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Christmas eMail from the Rector - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dear Friends,

It is not really my habit to wish people a 'Happy Christmas' before the day itself (why would I? I wouldn't dream of wishing you a 'happy birthday' three days before and it is till Advent) nonetheless my every good wish for now and most sincere hope that this finds you as well as possible and in continued good spirits. Underneath you will find some possible suggestions for Christmas devotions for those who wisely for themselves are not attending - although I know many who are physically attending do also 'lock into' some of these which is splendid.

UPDATE

As the pandemic spikes due in part to the new variant (and a post-Christmas rise in the R rate has always been feared) who knows what the government restrictions may be in the near future? For now it is safe to say that across all tiers (inc 4) Public Worship is still permitted and for us the rules remain as in previous emails - available, as always, at www.wemcofe.co.uk If there is any change rest assured I will let as many as possible know as soon as possible. We always take the greatest of care re precautions against covid-19 in each church in the benefice but this must be, if possible, even more to the fore over the Feast of The Nativity when we might expect an increase in numbers or attenders unfamiliar with our protocols. Please also see below. We will be safe yet we absolutely expect all regular attenders to show responsibility and vigilance for others please.

Many may find two attachments of interest, one our Archbishops's statement, with the Bishop of London, on the current circumstances, the other a precis from 'The Church Times' of Archbishop Justin's appearance on the Andrew Marr show on Sunday last. I hope it is a reassurance if you are considering staying or remaining away in the present climate to read the Archbishop's words:

'Even though attending public worship is permitted, many people may feel it is currently better they do not do so. Clergy and others who are shielding should certainly feel no compulsion.'

I trust these words are an assurance to you if it is not possible, or you do not feel it wise, to attend at the present. 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.

CHRISTMAS

We shall joyously celebrate the Nativity with a Eucharist in each parish, of course and quite rightly we will embrace the necessary covid-19 restrictions, for this is a very different year - and in church is no exception. However celebration takes many forms and celebrate we still shall!! Our Masses/Eucharists will be as follows:

Wem:

23:30 - Midnight Mass of the Nativity

08:00 - Holy Eucharist

09:45 - Family Eucharist for Christmas Day

Weston:

09:30 - Family Eucharist for Christmas Day

Lee:

11:15 - Family Eucharist for Christmas Day

The greatest of care will be needed apropos numbers and social distancing and the now 'usual' rules will most certainly still apply, the virus will not be on holiday, yet our numbers may well be close to capacity. With this in mind you may wish to consider this year making your Christmas Communion on Sun 27 when there will be, as always, a Communion in Wem at 08:00 and 09:45 - for this year it will be a service for the whole benefice. To make your communion then will still in every sense be a Christmas Communion and may do one of two things - if you have some trepidation about attending with swelled numbers then it will certainly allay these and keep you safe, equally it may serve to make our Christmas Day attendances more 'manageable' ......Do consider this.

[All our churches will be closed for private prayer on Sat 26 Dec]

SOME SERVICES AVAILABLE VIA DIFFERENT MEDIA

LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL

Christmas Eve

22:00 - First Eucharist of Christmas

Christmas Day

08:00 - The Eucharist for Christmas (traditional language)

10:30 - Choral Eucharist for Christmas

Access the C of E website Do visit the site for previous services, there are some super services saved on here.

From 23:30 available afterwards too: Worship at home: Midnight Mass with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Dover

'Gather for Midnight Mass as we remember the birth of Jesus Christ into the world, led by the Bishop of Dover with a Christmas message from the Archbishop of Canterbury. Celebrate the first service of Christmas online from St Martin's, Canterbury, the oldest church in continuous use in the English speaking world, as we pray for God's comfort and joy to be born afresh in our lives.'

CHRISTMAS on BBC

Radio Four:

15:00 - Christmas Eve. A Festival of Lessons and Carols. From the chapel of King's College Cambridge

09:00 - Christmas Day. 'Christmas Service - A draught in the stable.' Recorded in St Martin in the-Fields, Hackney City Farm and on location around Trafalgar Square. Sermon the Rev Dr Sam Wells

BBC One:

23:45 - Christmas Eve. Midnight Mass from Clifton Cathedral, the traditional Christmas Eve service. Celebrant the Bishop of Clifton, the Rt Rev Declan Lang

10:00 - Christmas morning from The Church of God of Prophecy, Birmingham. Christmas morning worship with a gospel music flavour

Please find attached the readings for Christmas.

**ON-LINE SERVICES FOR THE BENEFICE**

In the absence of our usual Carol Services a Christmas Reflection has been created for all to engage in safely at home. It is a stimulating compilation of stellar versions of traditional carols, more contemporary songs, the traditional readings, poetry and redolent imagery designed to focus on contemporary reflections on the Gospel truthes. Alongside this a professionally recorded Christmas Communion (from St P&P's) will be available especially for those who are unable to attend in person this year. The size of the files necessitates the creation of a YouTube channel - desperately easy to access, even I can do so! - The link for these will be with all soon, YouTube channel - still - awaiting verification as I type.

Rather than my now customary 'thought for the week' please watch, ponder and enjoy, our Christmas Reflection (also accessible on Website and Facebook:- @Wemparishchurch or www.wemcofe.co.uk ) This will be with you soon.

Be vigilant and stay safe over this festive period - every good wish,

Nick

N P Heron

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

01939 232550

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Christmas Message from the Rector - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dear Friends,

When you open this it will very likely be Christmas Eve, so even my 'liturgical pedantry' allows me to pass on my warmest and most heartfelt greetings to you and my very best wishes for a blessed, peaceful and safe Christmas to yourselves and those you love, both near and far.

ON-LINE

We now have our own St Peter's and St Paul's YouTube channel on which you will find:

- A Mass for Christmas, with the readings etc. for the Nativity and a homily

- A Wem Parish Church 'Christmas Reflection' for all

This can be accessed at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClyN3r9Msq4WIdLL5TUucrw

May the Eucharist allow those of you who are not able to attend church over this season of the Nativity to feel a greater sense of 'connection' with your church and share in spiritual communion as you watch this. For sure when I celebrated alongside Kath and Ruth there was a very special feeling for all three of us that this was a Mass not limited by our human boundaries of time and place - there was a profound sense of unity with those we knew would subsequently be joining with us. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gW-wHGnboJA

The 'Christmas Refection' which I earnestly encourage you to watch certainly breaks new ground for Wem parish, it is quite intentionally not a lessons and carols service - although it keeps some of the shape, readings and carols of a traditional service. It is a contemporary reflection yet earthed in the eternities of the Christmas story and the hope is that it will be devotionally enriching yet also stimulate faithful thought. This is a very 'accessible' reflection and our hope and great wish is that it will be shared throughout the parish and benefice as well far and wide - do please forward to as many as you wish, perhaps especially those who don't ordinarily join in 'church'.......I've just learned it has actually reached Australia already! ;-) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mYB-4NK72U

I am hugely grateful to 'Fat Boy Sound' for their time, attention and kindness in producing the Christmas Mass. Likewise to Ruth Empson has worked tirelessly and given untold hours of her time to the Christmas Reflection, her production of this is stunning - my thanks hardly does justice to how appreciative I am and I'm sure you will be!

THOUGHT FOR CHRISTMAS

I keep returning to Bishop Michael's Advent sermon, especially his words:

"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....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."

Indeed! For at the heart of our Christmas message is 'God with us' - Emmanuel. Our hope is not in a God untouched by our world but as seen in Christ, beginning in the vulnerability of his homeless birth, who is one with us, and shared fully in our humanity. That same light that shone forth from Bethlehem still shines forth. Now He calls us to follow the way of love, seen throughout Jesus' ministry, in our world. The song the angels' sang "Glory to God in the highest and in earth peace, goodwill" will break forth from nigh on 2 billion voices in every land and tongue as Christmas dawns the world over and will be seen in deed by Christ's disciples of this day. "The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it."

On Christmas Eve the Archbishop of Canterbury will preach at his first ever on-line Midnight Mass - In his sermon Archbishop Justin will say that Jesus was born into weakness and vulnerability, in poverty and surrounded by disease, and knows our suffering.

“This baby, fully human, is also fully God,” the Archbishop will say. “We can ignore him or make space for him, and when we do that, like the shepherds, we find this baby fills our lives to past overflowing with the love of God.

“We find a presence invading our lives that is made of love. We may be in a hospital ward, we may be missing someone in a hospital ward, missing someone who seems to have gone. We may be frightened and anxious, isolated, lonely. God will fill our lives with love.

“He offers that and gives us choice, He knows what we suffer because he did too, he knows us better than we know ourselves."

May we all, in the Archbishop's words, 'make space' this Christmas - and allow the peace of His presence to enter in, knowing that from His love we can never be separated - and as we move into a New Year let us do so with eager hearts and eyes wide open to discover where His light will be shining.

Please stay safe and take care of yourself and those around you. Every good wish,

Nick

N P Heron

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

01939 232550