Would you like to explore the Bible to a greater depth and have discussions with others? Sign up for the new online Bible course by signing the form at the back of church or contacting Revd Toby.

It will begin on Thursday 24rd September and run for 8 weeks. (4 weeks either side of half – term). They will start at 7:30pm and will use Zoom

 

1^st August 2020

Dear friends

How are you keeping?  This phase of the pandemic is beset by uncertainties.  We continue to pray for our leaders and for society as a whole as difficult balancing acts are undertaken to allow social and economic activity to resume, whilst not allowing the virus to spread rampantly again.  Indeed, as I’ve been drafting this letter the rules have changed again for our area, to prevent meeting with others in homes and gardens.  Individuals also face difficult decisions, especially as official shielding is ‘paused’.  At the same time many are feeling the effects of the massive economic slowdown, with the consequences for people’s jobs.  All this means that this period can be emotionally draining and challenging.  Let’s continue to look out for each other and be sensitive to the variety of ways in which we are personally experiencing all this.

For four Sundays now, our churches have been open once again for public worship.  Throughout August services in church will continue to take place just once a week in each parish – at the usual times of 9:30am at St James’ and 11am at All Saints’.  The second Sunday – 9^th August – will again be family-friendly.  Adult numbers have been in the high teens at Altham and the low thirties at All Saints – and each week there has been a number of children present.  I have been pleased to see how well it has been possible to conduct worship safely and how people have followed the instructions.  Some things are quite strange – such as giving the communion bread without saying anything and not sharing the consecrated wine together.  Many valued things are missing, including refreshments afterwards as well as hymn-singing.  But gradually a temporary normal is becoming established – now also including face coverings in churches as well as in shops.  Please note that from 8^th August face coverings will be a legal requirement in church (apart from those with an exemption).

I don’t really like the phrase ‘new normal’ for these kind of things, because it is right to remember that they are exceptional and we pray for the day when they can be lifted.  ‘New normal’ is, I think, a better phrase for those things which will emerge as long-term changes.  Ones we pray will be for the good.  Greater concern for each other, proper provision for the care system, more families out walking together, better provision for cycling…and, dare we hope, a greater awareness of the preciousness of life and our dependence on God.

Those in church are very conscious of those who aren’t with us physically, but are in spirit (and in the Holy Spirit).  Don’t forget that anyone with an internet connection can view the 11am service from All Saints – either live or later on.  You don’t need to have a Facebook account.  Just go to www.facebook.com/allsaintsclayton.  The daily online services will, however, pause over the next two weeks, during my holiday time, but will then resume.  I love the fact that people are joining together to join in the prayer of the church via this means and we will have to find a way of this being an ongoing part of the new normal.

Back in lockdown VE Day stood out as a day of glorious sunshine and of togetherness.  It came just as we edged out of the peak of deaths.  And it helped us remember that we have been through massive challenges before and that we will get through this one, too.  It is sobering that around 61,000 lost their lives in this country to German bombing throughout the war, and that excess deaths this year so far are running at 53,148 (51,264 of them with COVID-19 on the death certificate as either the main or a contributory cause of death)[1].  On 15^th August the nation will mark 75 years since the end of the Second World War on VJ Day.  Do listen out at 11am as the church bell/s will ring out from both our churches in commemoration.  Unlike in 1945, we are far from the end of our encounter with covid-19, but we must pray that we have the courage to build a better future as our parents and grandparents did emerging from the war.

A little word about money.  Both PCCs are very grateful to those who have continued to support our churches financially during this time.  Obviously, church income has dropped considerably with no collections in church and no weddings or funerals having taken place either.  If you’ve not been able to give during these months you might like to make a catch-up, via cheque or bank transfer.  Just ask if you could do with the bank details.  For those from All Saints’ who give via weekly envelopes, as and when you come back to church you will find your box of envelopes waiting for you.  Or perhaps this would be a good time to move to giving by standing order – again just ask.  Standing order allows you to work out what is the right amount for you to give and to give that bank regardless of whether or not you’re in church or have the right amount of money in your wallet.  And you are entirely in control – you can change the amount or stop the order entirely whenever you wish.

Also, a word on buildings.  You may remember all the water damage at All Saints’ early in the year.  Well, the new boiler was installed just before the lockdown, and plans are in place and permission granted for gale breaker material to be fitted in the tall lancet openings to the tower, so that driving winds don’t blow lots of rain into the tower.  Fencing is going up along the boundary between school and church, and the shade of green chosen means that it shouldn’t be too obtrusive, whilst deterring those who have been breaking-in recently, and anyone else seeking to gain unauthorised access.  At Altham the south aisle roof is being refurbished (following work on the nave and the chancel in previous summers) and some stunningly effective and efficient LED lighting has been installed.  At Altham School a beautiful new modular unit has been opened to house reception.

I hope that the remaining part of summer will give everyone some opportunities to recharge their batteries.  Not everyone will be able to get away on holiday, but if you can find opportunities that are safe for you do try to get a little bit of a change and some refreshment before autumn and winter, with the extra challenges that will bring.

Those of you who have been attending or following the Sunday services online will know that I’ve been focusing on the readings from Romans over these last weeks.  I hope they’ve

 

given us all plenty to think about, and to affirm us in our faith.  This Sunday’s reading reminds us that the bible is honest and realistic about the condition of the world and the suffering and death that occurs.  At times there is nothing to do but to groan with a groaning creation, as we lament lives cut short, livelihoods lost, life disrupted in all sorts of ways.  We are called to our knees and to the cry Lord, have mercy.  From that position of grieving with those who grieve we are called to practical action to help others, action which points to the love and justice of God’s kingdom.  And we are called to live as people of hope, who have the conviction that the future ultimately lies in God’s hands, that he is a good, good God, and that one day the present labour pains will give way to the full life, joy and peace of his new creation.

Yours in faith, hope and love, Revd Toby

 

 

 

[1][1]https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsregisteredweeklyinenglandandwalesprovisional/weekending17july2020

United Benefice of Altham and Clayton-le-Moors

Vicar: Revd Toby Webber, The Vicarage, Church St, Clayton-le-Moors
(01254) 384321   tobywebber@btinternet.co

                                                                                                                                                         June 2020

 

 (NB – Face masks now have to be worn in church)  

Dear friends

I hope that you are keeping well.  Over the six weeks or so since my last letter I have continued to see people out and about – including people I hadn’t previously seen since lockdown and I’ve continued to see familiar names commenting on screen through the Facebook services.  So a special hello to those I haven’t yet seen.

These last weeks have, of course, seen a gradual easing of the lockdown, and more life has returned to our streets and parks.  Even non-essential shops are open again.  And from 4^th July many of the restrictions will cease.  We will be even more dependent on people exercising common sense and self-control, for the sake of the common good.

One element of the change is that – for the first time since 15 March – we can have Sunday worship in church.

Both our churches will, God willing, open for worship from Sunday 5^th July.  There will initially be only one service in each church per week – Altham at 9:30pm and All Saints’ at 11am.  As you have probably heard, there will be no singing permitted.  There will be Holy Communion, which will be received standing and in one kind (only the consecrated bread will be received).

The fact that church is open for worship should not make anyone feel obliged to come at this stage.  Those who are shielding should NOT attend worship before the start of August at the very earliest.  Others who are or live with those at increased risk should they contract COVID-19 should think carefully about whether or not it is right for them to come at this stage.

We are taking the steps necessary to make it as safe as practical for people who attend.  Please do your bit by using the hand sanitiser when entering and leaving the building, by keeping your distance from others and by following the instructions of the wardens/sidespeople.  Pews which are not to be used are clearly marked.

We will need to record the name and contact information of those who attend in case this needs to be supplied to contact tracers.  This will be kept securely and destroyed after three weeks.

If you bring children with you, they will need to remain in the pew with you.  Do bring your own quiet toys/books/colouring as the bags, toys, etc have all been tidied away.

A collection will not be taken during the service, but there will be a plate available if you wish to place anything on it as you enter or leave church.  For All Saints’ weekly envelope givers the new boxes of envelopes will be available for you to collect.  However, the simplest and safest method of giving is to do so direct from your bank.  If you haven’t done so yet, perhaps now is the time to switch to giving by standing order?  We can easily let you have the details.

Churches will open from 15 minutes before the advertised service time.  Once the service is over you will be asked to leave – starting with those nearest the exit.  There will be no refreshments or fellowship time after the service.  People must not congregate in groups for conversation, particularly indoors.

I anticipate that there will be sufficient space for those who wish to attend to do so safely.  Should there be a situation where the church has no more safe seating please don’t be offended if you are told that unfortunately you can’t come in on this occasion.  We’ll make sure you get priority seating next time!

We will stream the 11am service from All Saints’ Church for people not attending to watch at home, either live or on catch up.  Other times of worship will continue as at present to be offered via Facebook – 10:45am short family worship on Sunday mornings, 10am Morning Prayer on Wednesday and Friday mornings, 6:30pm Friday Praise and 9:30pm Night Prayer (except Friday).  The pattern of worship will be reviewed when we reach the school summer holidays.

Before too long I hope that it will be possible to begin services on Wednesday mornings at All Saints.  Funerals are possible in church and we are planning on baptisms from September, all with restrictions and social distancing.  Weddings are also possible and we will have one in August which will be lovely.

For those of us who can, returning to the church building will be a privilege.  It will in particular be a joy to celebrate Holy Communion together again and I pray that we will all approach that gift with eager expectation after so long a fast from the Eucharist. Those in church will hold in their thoughts those who are worshipping at home.  May the spiritual unity which has helped us keep together through these lockdown months persist as we go forward.

Can I include a reminder for those who aren’t on-line that anyone can access a free Church of England resource called ’Daily Hope’ by ringing 0800 804 8044?  There is a choice of listening, from hymns to a full service and the Mothers’ Union midday prayer.

 

With my love, prayers and best wishes,

Toby