The Coronavirus Pandemic & Its Effects On Our Lives
A Pastoral Letter from the Parish Priest
Letter 12 – 31 May 2020
Pentecost (Whit Sunday) 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!
Many of us have followed the unfolding events of the past week with dismay and disbelief. The national efforts to protect lives and support lockdown rules have been dented by a haemorrhage of public trust and confidence in the government and those leading the battle against Covid-19. It is hoped that the present climate of indignation and bewilderment will not lead to a certain indifference to lockdown rules and, tragically, a spike in the number of fatalities of Covid-19. This is something to watch as the lockdown restrictions are being relaxed from June onwards.
Today is Pentecost or ‘Whit Sunday’ as it is called. We celebrate the life-changing event of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples and followers of Jesus fifty days or so after Easter. The Acts of the Apostles record that the followers of Jesus were in the upper room praying with Mary the Mother of Jesus when this incredible thing happened. They were suddenly filled with an inner fire and grace that gave them confidence and power to proclaim that Jesus Christ was truly the Saviour of humanity. The Holy Spirit was upon them! And the Church was founded!
Pentecost is considered as the ‘birthday’ of the Church! And today although over 2.3 billion people are classified as Christians, we all know that the Church is going through a crisis. While Christianity is growing in Africa, Latin America and Asia, it is declining numerically in the traditionally Christian areas of Europe and North America. We need a new Pentecost! My ardent prayer is that we open our hearts to welcome the Holy Spirit so that he may fill us with a new faith, a new hope, a new love and, above all, a new passion to follow Jesus Christ as his followers ‘Christians’.
The “LIVE” PARISH PENTECOST SERVICE this Sunday.
It will be A SHORT LIVE EUCHARIST ON ‘ZOOM’ AT 10.30 am led Father Sebastian from his study at the vicarage in Ingham. Amon the features of this weekly service, a notable feature will be the special prayer for personal renewal and Baptism in the Spirit in the middle of 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 visit our online church page.
We are still Church – a family of the followers of the Risen Jesus 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.
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 blessings to you all,
Father Sebastian
Revd Dr Sebastian Thomas Mattapally,
Rector, Springline Parish, Diocese of Lincoln
Tel: 01522 731793 Email: rector.springline@btinternet.com