Day 9 of Lockdown
Day 9 and, with nearly 600 UK COVID-19 deaths in the past day, we start off this update in a thoughtful mood. We start with the latest news from St Mary’s which has an appropriate Easter Message from Revd Mandy Elmes. As well as that there is a bulletin from Colchester Police.
St Mary’s Update
This update focusses on the COVID-19 crisis with online services and a message from Revd Mandy Elmes. Some prayer suggestions are offered and also some spiritual one-liners! It also provides listings of services and contacts but first the Easter Message:
Easter Message from Revd Mandy Elmes
The Coronavirus Pandemic is something none of us anticipated or imagined. It is challenging for the whole world. We never expected to be here. It is new territory for everyone.
We are devastated that so many thousands of people have died, are fighting for their lives, and have the infection. It is a scary and challenging time for us all, and we’re only just beginning to understand what’s really happening. There isn’t a map to follow. We are in unchartered territory.
At the foot of the cross
This is a bit like the position that Mary, Jesus’ mother, and Mary Magdalene were in when they were at the foot of the cross. It was the most terrible time in their lives. They didn’t know how they had arrived at this point but they knew it was life-changing. This was proved when Mary Magdalene met Jesus on the first Easter morning. Then, she knew that her Master was alive again. She didn’t understand how this had happened, but she knew it was true. Something good had come out of Jesus’ death.
And those women can give us inspiration in our current situation. After his death they felt full of pain, fear, death and despair, just as we do now. But, when Jesus rose, their lives were transformed and they too knew what it was to have a new life. As we face this pandemic, may we always remember that Jesus is journeying with us and that he can bring life out of death, good out of bad, even in the Coronavirus Pandemic world.
May this Easter bring us all life out of death and light out of darkness.
Happy Easter, Mandy.
Prayers for the current situation
God of compassion, be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation.
In their loneliness be their consolation; in their anxiety be their hope; in their darkness be their light.
Through him who suffered alone on the cross but reigns with you in glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, you taught us to love our neighbor, and to care for those in need as if we were caring for you.
In this time of anxiety, give us strength to comfort the fearful, to tend the sick, and to assure the isolated of our love and your love, for your name’s sake. Amen
Gracious God, give skill, sympathy and resilience to all who are caring for the sick, and your wisdom to those searching for a cure.
Strengthen them with your spirit, that through their work many may be restored to health, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Worship with St Mary’s via Live Facebook Link!
Rev. Mandy Elmes will be broadcasting a Sunday morning service live from The Rectory at 10 am each Sunday. To access the service you need to have a Facebook account and to send a friend request to St Mary’s West Bergholt Facebook page.
Alternatively, you can watch it later on our church website by clicking on this link https://www.stmaryswestbergholt.co.uk/streamed-services.
To receive a copy of the Order of Service for each Sunday, or if you are having difficulty accessing the service, please contact our church administrator on [email protected].
Spiritual One-Liners
- Don’t let your worries get the best of you; remember, Moses started out as a basket case.
- How does Moses make tea? Hebrews it.
- The good Lord didn’t create anything without a purpose, but wasps come close.
- The Lord said unto John, come forth and receive eternal life, but John came fifth and won a toaster!
- When you get to your wit’s end, you’ll find God lives there.
- The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.
Services & Other Dates
Sadly all services and other planned events at the church are cancelled until further notice. But the good news is that Rev. Mandy Elmes is live-streaming a service on Sunday mornings via Facebook from the Rectory at 10 am.
Contacts
- Priest in Charge:
Revd Dr Mandy Elmes, 1 Church Close, CO6 3JZ
email: [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]
tel: 01206 240906. - Assistant Curate:
Revd Anne Mason
email: [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]. - Church Wardens:
Sue Day—01206 241040;
Ron Seymour—01206 273579. - Lay Readers:
Richard Chadborn—01206 240541;
Michael Foster—01206 241022;
Joy Budden—01206 241871. - Parish Evangelist
Ron Seymour—01206 272579. - Pastoral Assistant:
Dorothy Chadborn—01206 240541. - 3 Parish Families’ Worker:
Jo Jeffery—07853 586683. - Church Administrator:
Church Office Hours — weekdays 9 am—1 pm
Janine Wilde — 01206 243683,
email: [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]. - Newsletter Editor:
Liz Dixon— 07914 001212
email: [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]. - Hire our hall:
Nicole Long—01206 240443. - Website:
Stmaryswestbergholt.co.uk. - Follow us on Facebook:
facebook.com/stmaryswestbergholt.
Colchester Police Bulletin
The Colchester Police Bulletin (PDF file below), gives examples of activity in the area including weapons sweeps as part of Operation Sceptre, reassurance patrols and giving advice on COVID-19 precautions if required. You can follow them on Facebook or Twitter.