Bible Fellowship is suspended

Bible Fellowship is suspended - again!!

The R Rate of the Covid-19 pandemic - the infection rate - continues to climb, and the Northern Ireland numbers are slowly getting out of control and is currently over 100 people per 100,000 population (figures released by the NI First Minister, 21/9/2020). Our alert level has once again been recommended to be upgraded to Level 4 - Infections rising exponentially, so taking no action at all is no longer an option!

We seriously need to be careful how we interact and live with each other. Please continue to wash hands, wear masks, and keep your distances from each other when we are out! I have personally witnessed the decrease in the numbers of people wearing masks when out and about - which shows the decreasing level of anxiety towards the coronavirus.

The other step we are going to introduce is to limit the exposure we have in church. Whilst we are still going ahead with our services on Sunday 4th October - we are going to limit our exposure by cancelling the Bible Fellowship. Our Bible Fellowship is more of a “social” gathering, in that we have a discussion rather than a formal service - so for the foreseeable future, our midweek Bible Fellowship is suspended.

I realise this will be a disappointment to some, but hopefully we will be able to resume as soon as possible. I believe that the church needs to take a firm stance in light of the growing pandemic, and not need to be “told” to be responsible. We, collectively as Christians, should be setting an example for others during this difficult period.

I know some will disagree; I know some might think we are moving too soon; I also know that some might think that we have nothing to really worry about - and that’s fine! I acknowledge your right to hold such an opinion, but as a church leader, with a congregation to be responsible for, I am taking the decision upon myself to be safe and act as an example to the rest of society, joining their discomfort in these strange days. We don’t have to agree upon the reason, but I hope you can continue to support the parish in leading the corporate response to this pandemic.

Blessings

Johnny

Rector

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AccessNI Check process

Hi folks Please see the following pages for the process of getting our AccessNI accreditation for our Sunday School and GFS leaders and helpers. You will need to print out the pages and keep a special note of the long number provided to you by email and let me know as soon as possible. We require an Enhanced check for everyone - and use the PIN number 918066 as detailed on the first page. The second page details the forms of identification you will need to provide - one from the first group, and two from the second group. The quicker we can all get the checks completed, the sooner we can get everything back to normal and put this whole process behind us for another three years! If you can photograph yourself (by smartphone or tablet) and email (revdjohnny@gmail.com) or WhatsApp (07488371680) them to me, that'd be great. I will also be available at the Parish Hall on Monday evening from 7pm to 8pm to help you with anything you would like assistance with! If you need any help at all

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Second Sunday in Lent

Hi folks Another week has literally flown by - and we've already started the new month! This Sunday's readings include the best known passage in the Bible, John 3 - the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. In this passage, Jesus sums up the whole Gospel message of love, salvation and eternal life in one verse, known to us all as John 3:16. Is this the most important verse in our Holy Scriptures? Possibly, but join us on Sunday to discuss the passage, and how it fits into the Christian life as we know it. Our service is Holy Communion Two, and our readings and passages are listed on our service sheets attached. Our service will be streamed on Facebook (all being well) and shared afterwards on our page if you can't join us live. Blessings Johnny

Aghavea Parish Church

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