The Coronavirus Pandemic & Its Effects On Our Lives

A Pastoral Letter from the Parish Priest

Letter 15 – 21 June 2020

Second Sunday after Trinity

 

My dearest Friends in the Lord,

Here I am again with my weekly Pastoral Letter since the lockdown as we continue to Stay Alert, Control the Virus and Save Lives!

My wife and I made a trip to Anderby Creek last Monday, our day off, taking advantage of the relaxation of lockdown norms. This was the longest journey we did since the lockdown started three months ago. Although the day was not really hot, there was a good crowd of people relaxing and enjoying themselves on the beach. Hopefully some of you who read this letter will also probably be taking advantage of the relaxed lockdown norms.

We are living in an epochal time in history – the Covid-19, Black Lives Matter protests in the wake of the death of George Floyd, Brexit and the economic and social impact on our lives. The Church as a whole has during this time tried to respond to the pandemic but the challenges are enormous!

In our Springline Parish, we have tried to contain the virus by closing our churches and suspending all gatherings for worship. We have also adapted to the challenges of worship through the well-attended weekly zoom service. Every week between 30-40 persons join the virtual Church worship at 10.30 am.

With regards to reopening of churches for private prayer, in our Parish, only Scampton Church has reopened for private prayer. You will soon receive further information as to which churches in the Springline Parish will reopen for private prayer. Our primary concern has been to control the virus and save lives. That is why we are going slow on reopening churches.

We all have used the time of the lockdown to do things which previously not done due to lack of time. One of the things we have done in the Parish during the lockdown has been to re-organise and unify the insurance policies of our church building so as to reduce costs and improve financial stewardship. Mr John Moore, Parish Secretary, has worked hard on behalf of the Springline Parish PCC to make this happen.

Due to the lockdown and suspension of services in churches, as retiring collections are no longer possible in churches, the PCC is setting up a giving account so as to facilitate those who wish to make their regular offerings to God. This is because we have received enquiries from people who have been making their offerings in church at services. You will soon receive information as to how you can give for God’s work in the absence of regular services in churches.

 “LIVE” PARISH SERVICE this Sunday.

It will be A SHORT LIVE EUCHARIST ON ‘ZOOM’ AT 10.30 am led by Reverend Sue Deacon from her home in Scampton. Mr John Beverley, Parish reader, will preach at the service.

You will have received an invitation to join the service if you are in the Parish database. If you are not in the Parish database and wish to join in the service, please contact your local Churchwarden before Sunday morning.

Please use the following link to view The ORDER OF SERVICE.

Springline Parish on-line Home Worship resources

Please note that there are resources for children and families as well as general resources for prayer and worship that you can use during this lockdown period. Please visit our online Church page.

We are still Church – Springline Parish – 9 Churches 1 Parish Following Jesus!

As we are doing our best to reopen our village churches and some of our church buildings might still be closed due to safety and hygiene norms, we are still Church. We want to love God with all our hearts, soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbour as ourselves. We will continue to do this. As Jesus exhorts us, we want to be people of Faith, not Fear. We will do all we can to reach out and help!

Please take care and do stay safe!

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all now and always.

With my love, prayer and blessing to each one of you,
Father Sebastian

Revd Dr Sebastian Thomas Mattapally,
Rector, Springline Parish, Diocese of Lincoln
Tel: 01522 731793     Email: rector.springline@btinternet.com