The Coronavirus Pandemic & Its Effects On Our Lives

A Pastoral Letter from the Parish Priest

Letter 6 – 19 April 2020

SUNDAY AFTER EASTER 2020

 

My dearest Friends in the Lord, 

Here I am again with my weekly Pastoral Letter since the lockdown! The situation is still bad, and we heed the call to Stay at home, Protect the NHS and Save lives!

So many things are happening that shock us and even numb us. One such event has been the sad passing away of our dear Reverend Bill Williams on Easter Sunday. We all will miss him sorely in so many ways. Let us keep Jenny and family in our thoughts and prayers at this time. The funeral service is on Monday 27th April with just the closest family. There will be a memorial service once lockdown is lifted. The message of Jesus at this Sunday’s gospel is so reassuring: “Peace be with you.” How much we need that peace and comfort now!

I daily celebrate a private Eucharist with my wife Alida as an offering of prayer and praise for the nation, for the world but most especially for our Parish from Fillingham to Burton Waters. Above all, I do this for you, for your families and dear ones.

Please view the Online Church page which contains resources for your prayer and worship. Do select what suits your need.

I kindly request the Churchwardens to pass on this information to the members of their village Church communities.

Life is certainly looking very different right now, and so is Church! Although public worship is suspended, do remember that we are still Church. We have a role to play where we can, through prayer, through phoning those isolated at home for a chat, and being good neighbours and running errands if we can. 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. We will also be people of Faith not Fear. We may not be able to gather in body, but we can gather in Spirit. Please stay safe.

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

With my love, prayer and blessings to you all,

Father Sebastian