A Pastoral Letter from the Parish Priest – 24th January 2021
My dearest Friends in the Lord,
I am happy to write this short weekly pastoral letter to you as we are in the third national lockdown. It is true there are some signs of the lockdown working but we are still not sure when the lockdown will be lifted. Let us continue to take extra care to keep safe, keep well and stay at home so as to prevent infections of this virus which doesn’t seem to go away.
LIVE 10.30 am on-line Parish Communion Service on zoom – Sunday 24th Jan.
Please note that this service is broadcast from the Ingham church and anyone wishing to attend this service physically in church and receive Communion is welcome to do so. We follow all the covid-19 guidelines including social distancing, wearing of face coverings etc. at this service in church.
Fr Sebastian will preside and Dr Neill Hepburn, Medical Director, Lincolnshire County Hospitals, will preach at this service and we will listen to some favourite hymns and songs. You will receive an invitation to join this short on line service if you are in the Parish database. If not please contact the Springline Parish Secretary on springlinespringlinepcc@btinternet.com
Please download the Order of service here.
Springline Parish on-line Home Worship Resources.
You will find a copy of this letter, the sermon for this week and prayers etc. Do visit the online church page by following this link.
You will also find resources in the Scampton Church website.
Please visit Scampton church at www.scamptonchurch.org
Ash Wednesday Service 17th February 2021
The annual Ash Wednesday Service will take place in the Springline Parish this year as it has taken place in the past years. In an article in the Church Times 22nd January on Lent and Easter guidance, we read: “The imposition of ashes will be permitted during Ash Wednesday services next month, with precautions, for Church of England churches that are open for public worship during the current lockdown, new guidelines states.” Please await further details of the above service in the coming weeks.
Lent Course 2021 – Looking ahead
Revd John Leach who led the Lent Course last year is expected to lead the remaining three sessions of the course on-line this year starting on 24th February and following two Wednesdays. This is good news for those who attended the first two sessions of the course last year which had to be suspended due to the first national lockdown. Please await further news in the coming weeks.
“Live Lent – God’s Story Our Story”
If you are on the Electoral Roll of the Springline Parish you will receive the Church of England’s Lent Campaign booklet for 2021. This booklet invites each of us to reflect daily during the five weeks of Lent on our own story of God and how we might share it through our everyday lives.
If you are not on the Electoral Roll and would like to get a free copy of the booklet please call 01522 731793 at your earliest.
Authorised Lay Ministry (ALM) Course 2021
The ALM course on-line by ‘zoom’ started with an introductory orientation session on Tuesday 19th January and will continue for 16 weeks excluding the Holy Week. Five members of our Springline Parish attend this course and we wish them every success as they discern their call from God to serve as authorised lay ministers.
Every Christian a Missionary!
Some think that mission to spread the ‘good news’ of Jesus is only the task of priests and ministers. Not true! Every Christian by his or her Baptism is commissioned to spread the “good news” of love and hope to others and help build up the Kingdom of God. Let us make an extra effort to smile, to care, to reach out and help and spread the “good news” of Jesus’ love especially during this terrible pandemic and the lockdown!
The Springline Parish
Has the vision statement: Nine Churches, One Parish, Following Jesus. The Church exists to assist you in your spiritual search. And we believe that Jesus is the Answer to all our questions and problems, the one who can fill the emptiness and restlessness in our hearts. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” (John 3.16)
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you now and always.
Take care! Keep safe! Stay at home!
Father Sebastian
Revd Dr Sebastian Thomas Mattapally
Rector, Springline Parish, Diocese of Lincoln
Tel: 01522 731793 Email: rector.springline@gmail.com