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Return to Church?

Hi folks

Our leaders have spoken and set out a phased return to normality - but in their own words, it's going to take time!  They, and their many advisers, have been sensible enough to not put time limits or dates on each of the steps - which is perfectly correct in my eyes.  How can we predict how the virus will spread as we start to permit more social interaction and activities?

While I would love to get everyone back out to church on a Sunday - I think that we have a long and impatient wait as yet.  I would love to get back to the "old routine", but again, I think that we will have to remain as patient as we can.  The Church has a spiritual calling to tend to the souls in its care, and while that is our paramount calling, we also have a physical calling to care for those who gather in our buildings and surroundings.  I long for the day we gather in our church building to worship God together, but I understand the risks involved in the meantime and can appreciate our Church leaders' desire to be cautious over setting a return date.

In the meantime, we will have to content ourselves to continue our online gatherings and continue to trust in God's promise that whenever we are joined to Him through love, we are joined to each other - just as in our Bible Study on the words "I am the vine, you are the branches".

I am also very thankful for the continuing work that is going on behind the scenes - those caring for neighbours, looking after property, handling the financial situations, and bringing God's love to those in need.  I am also very aware of those of our parish who work in care homes and hospitals as chefs, assistants and nurses, our farmers and their families, those who work in the food sector.  Our key workers are proving themselves to be heroes at the moment, and I hope we can remember their daily efforts in our prayers and that they will be formally recognised once we can return to what used to called "normality"!

In finishing this post, my continued prayer is that you all continue to remain safe, patient and well, and I thank you for your continued support in these difficult times.

Regards
Johnny
Rector

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