A Pastoral Letter from the Parish Priest
6th December 2020
My dearest Friends in the Lord,
Here I am again, always very happy to write this pastoral letter during these these very difficult and challenging times we live in.
Tier 3 Restrictions: Very High Alert
We shall do our part to follow the guidelines as to how or if we can meet indoors or outdoors in various social settings. May the infections dwindle down and we begin 2021 with hope!
Worship in our churches
Worship Services will continue on line on 6th, 13th and 20th except on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the Sunday after Christmas. View the service rota here.
Do join us in any of these services. You would be very welcome indeed! It is all a bit wearying to say the least during this pandemic but worshipping together is a powerful experience. We open ourselves to God’s Holy Spirit to suffuse us and empower to win this war over the pandemic and begin to live our normal lives again.
“LIVE” Parish Service on-line Sunday 6th December at 10.30 am
Fr Sebastian will preside and Mr John Beverley, Reader in the Springline Parish, will preach at this service. An invitation is sent to all in the Parish database. If you know of someone interested in joining the service do request your friend to email the Springline Parish Secretary using his email springlinepcc@btinternet.com
Springline Parish on-line Home Worship resources.
Please use these prayer and worship resources during this lockdown period. You will find a copy of this letter, the sermon for this week and prayers etc.
Advent Calendar.
Curates in the diocese have prepared an advent calendar for us all that brings brief daily reflections online and can be accessed through the diocesan website. Please visit:https://www.lincoln.anglican.org/news/the-diocesan-digital-advent-calendar-days-1-12
Online diocesan Christmas Carol Service will be available again via the diocesan website. thanks to Archdeacons Gavin and Mark for taking the lead in this.
With great might succour us!
The ‘Collect’ prayer of this Sunday uses these words: “O Lord, raise up, we pray, your power and come among us, and with great might succour us.” The Advent Season leading up to Christmas reassures us that God has come as one of us. Jesus went about doing good, as the Bible says, travelling through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness.” At his command, the sick were made well. We need him to come to our aid, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we may experience his healing love.
Our village churches during the Tier 3 restrictions
Our churches will remain open for private prayer and reflection during this time. Do see the information given below:
- Fillingham church open every Sunday during the daylight hours.
- Ingham church open every day from 10.00 am to 3 pm unless notified.
- Cammeringham church by appointment (with the churchwardens)
- Brattleby church is closed for restoration.
- Scampton church is open every day.
- North Carlton and South Carlton churches open every day.
- Burton church by appointment (with the churchwardens)
A word on Giving to God during the lockdown
We have designed a new webpage to help people give ‘on line’ during the lockdown and suspension of church services. Please visit giving.springlineparish.co.uk to help you donate to promote God’s work in our area.
SL Parish – Nine Churches One Parish Following Jesus!
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 bump into Jesus (God) as we care for each other! The Lord said: “Whatever you do to the least of your brother or your sister, you do it to me.”
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you now and always.
With my love and prayer to each one of you,
Father Sebastian
Revd Dr Sebastian Thomas Mattapally
Rector, Springline Parish, Diocese of Lincoln
Tel: 01522 731793 Email: rector.springline@gmail.com