The Coronavirus Pandemic & Its Effects On Our Lives
A Pastoral Letter from the Parish Priest
Letter 10 – 17 May 2020
Sixth Sunday of Easter 2020
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!
Living in the coronavirus lockdown has involuntarily changed our perceptions of life in all its facets and dimensions. We are doing things differently and adapting to new ways of being human beings as neighbours, family and friends.
There is a lot of uncertainty, confusion, anxiety and fear but we are slowly opening our hearts and our minds and learning from the tragedy. That is a good thing. It is a sign of hope for the future in a time of hopelessness. A semblance of new life is in the offing and we are taking up the gauntlet and putting our best foot forward. So, well done to you and God be with you as you continue to pick up the pieces of your life in a lockdown world.
In the words of Solomon Salve an anthropologist and a public health researcher “Covid-19 creates a worldwide threat but reminds us we are a global community. Covid-19 demands physical distancing but requires unified societal action. Covid-19 attacks human beings but stirs up humanity as well. Covid-19 ceases religious freedom but kindles faith. In a way, Covid-19 is also a battle for our souls, a “spiritual battle for the 21st century”. It’s a battle we will win, I reckon.”
Please take special note of the fourth LIVE PARISH SERVICE this Sunday.
It will be A SHORT LIVE EUCHARIST ON ‘ZOOM’ AT 10.30 am from my study.
The service will have inter-active parts at the sermon, intercessions and will include a you tube presentation of 5-year-old Claire Ryann Crosby and dad who sing together “Peace in Christ.”
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 find these resources on the website for prayer and worship using this link. You will also find DAILY DEVOTIONS by John Beverley and a SERMON with INTERCESSIONS for this Sunday.
Lots of on-line resources for you during this lockdown!
The following resources titled “Lift up your hearts” are from “The Church Times” .
- Weekly spiritual sustenance: Download (Ctrl+click) the free PDF to print at home:
Lift Up Your Hearts: No. 8 | 15 May 2020 - Join evening prayer live from Taizé, from the community on their Facebook page
- Radio 4’s Daily Service features a Bible reading, prayer, and music
- Join RSCM in singing their Hymn for the Day. A new video with music and lyrics is published every day, Monday to Saturday
Thy Kingdom Come is a global prayer movement
which the Archbishop of Canterbury invited people around the world to join. The wave of prayer runs for 10 days between the Christian festivals of Ascension and Pentecost. We asked people to pray in whatever way they want and with whoever they want for others to come to know Jesus Christ. www.thykingdomcome.global
If you are on the Church Electoral Roll, you will receive a PRAYER JOURNAL to accompany your spiritual preparation from Ascension to Pentecost. If you are not on the electoral, please call 731793 or 730752 to receive a copy.
A Covid-19 Prayer for your use
Keep us, good Lord,
under the shadow of your mercy
in this time of uncertainty and distress.
Sustain and support the anxious and fearful,
and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may rejoice in your comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.
We are still Church – The Community of the followers of the Risen Christ!
Although public worship is suspended, we are still Church. Jesus taught us 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 the Risen Jesus exhorts us, we will be people of Faith, not Fear. We will comfort and care for each other. 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.