St Matthew's Church

 A new national lockdown is now in place in England. In our own area, we have seen significant increases in COVID19 cases. Government guidance, nevertheless, allows places of worship to hold services, and people are permitted to leave their homes in order to attend a service if they wish.

Advice from the Church of England is that, although public worship is permitted, churches are not required to open, and, of course, no-one is obliged to attend a service. In our diocese, the Bishop of Chester has provided a guide to the options available, but has made it clear that each parish must make its own judgement about how best to serve its community. (At least one diocese has taken a different view and recommended that all worship should go online.)

I have consulted the PCCs of both churches and have spoken with the Churchwardens to see what we feel able to offer. What we have decided to do is as follows:

• St Cross Church, Appleton Thorn, will hold a service of Holy Communion at 9.30AM on Sundays. You must inform the Churchwarden that you plan to attend so that we can make the appropriate arrangements. 

• St Matthew’s Church, Stretton, will not hold any Sunday services in the church building. There will, however, be a service of Holy Communion on Thursday mornings at 10.30AM. Again, you must inform the Churchwarden that you plan to attend.

• There will be a live streamed service at 10.45AM each Sunday which will be shared on the church Facebook pages. You can also join via Zoom if you wish. Please contact me for details.

(Information offered in good faith but subject to change as circumstances and guidance change.)

I am aware that whatever decision we make, some will feel disappointed. A service in a church building excludes those who are shielding or self-isolating, and any who are anxious about the current situation. An online service excludes those who do not have ready access to the internet or who choose not to use social media platforms. What we have done is to offer some options: those who wish to attend a service in church can do so. Those who are happy to join an online service can do so. The online services have reached out to some who might not otherwise think of going to church and we would like to build on the contacts we have made.

It is clear that we must continue to uphold the highest standards of COVID-preparedness. I would remind you that if you plan to attend a service in church you must inform a Churchwarden, and give your contact details. If you turn up without having done so, we cannot guarantee that there will be a place for you.

• St Cross: Sandra Bates 265294

• St Matthews: Michele Gwillim 450881

Attendance at a service in church means that you agree to follow all guidance, advice and instructions given by those responsible for the safety and well-being of worshippers. This includes wearing a face-covering (over mouth and nose); maintaining 2 metres distance between yourself and anyone not in your own household or bubble; washing hands regularly, and using sanitizer on entering and leaving the building.

I need to emphasise that the Government guidance gives you permission to attend a church service. It is not permission to catch up with friends socially. Of course, we will want to acknowledge one another, but if you want to chat, please use the phone when you get home!

In particular, please don’t congregate in or around the entrance to the church building. It can be quite unnerving for someone having to walk through a space where others are not allowing sufficient distance for them to pass comfortably.

I would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to sustain the life of our church communities through these incredibly difficult times: wardens and PCC members, those who clean and look after our buildings, those who contribute to our online presence, those who give generously, and all who have respected the protocols and practices that we have had to follow.

I’m sending this email to a wider audience than those who subscribe to our regular notices: if you want to be added to that list, please let me know. If you would prefer not to receive these occasional emails from me, you can unsubscribe using the link below.

If you are in touch with someone who will not get this information via email, could you please give them ring and let them know? And if you think there is someone who would appreciate a call from the vicar, please let me know!

The arrival of vaccines is at least a sign of hope for us, but ultimately, as the Psalmist puts it:

Our soul waits for the Lord;
he is our help and shield.

Our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.

Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.

Psalm 33.20-22

Every blessing,

The Revd Alan Jewell, Vicar