It’s been three months since I sat and typed up information about what we were up to at St John’s and what a three months it has been. Everyday life has been turned upside down and we are living in times which are, to say the least, unusual. Our beloved church is shut and we now worship each Sunday in our own homes.
At the beginning, Revd Diane and Revd Sarah, our curate, emailed or posted the service for us to say with our household or over the phone with a friend, plus a letter from Diane and her reflection and thoughts on the readings for the day. Then technology took over and now not only do we get the information, we are able to go to the church website and a click takes us to YouTube where there is a recording of one or both of them leading the service for us to join in. At times we pause to meditate or maybe click another link which takes us to a recording of a hymn that we can sing along to. It’s definitely not like being in church but it gives us guidance to pray to the Lord for all that is going on.
If you would like to join in with us just go to www.needhammarketparishchurch.co.uk, scroll down and click on that Sunday’s service.
As many of us have found, technology has certainly been a boom to keep us in contact. As a church we have now ventured into having a weekly Zoom Bible Study/Prayer Meeting. About a dozen of us log in, a cup of coffee in hand and have a chat about what’s been going on and then discuss the Bible passage that Diane has chosen. Not quite the same as being in the same room, but a least we feel we are together, albeit on a screen.
If you know someone who doesn’t have access to the internet but you feel would benefit from daily prayers, the Church of England centrally has recognised that there many people who cannot access all the services offered on the internet so they have set up a free Daily Hope phone line as another resource. They write: “Daily Hope offers music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services.” The line – which is free to phone on 0800 804 8044 – is available 24 hours a day. Please do pass this information on to anyone it might help.
Of course none of us know how long this is going to go on for or when we will be able to go back into the church for services, however, in the meantime we will continue to pray for you all and ask God to help us through these difficult times.
Revd Diane is available on 01449 720316 if you feel the need of pastoral care.