Moving On and Moving In

Hi folks

Once again, our world has changed and the Covid regulations are starting to bite! Whilst none of our parishioners have been diagnosed with the virus, more than a few can now name those who have tested positively, or are currently under investigation! While we have long considered this as a "town" virus, it is starting to make its presence known in our own communities!

We still have a target of being back in church for our Harvest Celebrations on Sunday 4th October at 11am. This might change in the coming week, but we fully intend to be back in if we are allowed!

Each and every day brings new challenges and changes, but this is how life is at the minute! We have two options as far as I see: firstly, we can complain and refuse to cooperate with the changes, or do so only reluctantly; or as a second option, we can accept that life is difficult at the moment, but understand that we are only making these changes in order to keep each other safe and accept them in that spirit.

I sincerely hope that we can all find ourselves in the second group. We have to accept these changes, so why not accept them graciously and move on, determined to make the most of life in the meantime, despite the circumstances! This is how I believe we should be acting as Christians, showing respect to everyone, and demonstrating our love to our neighbour by respecting their health and security.

The pandemic is likely to impact upon many aspects of our Church life in the coming months - but let's accept that as an adventure with God, as we find different ways to worship together. I've never had an Outdoor Harvest Thanksgiving, but there's some sense of appropriateness in doing so! Remembrance, Advent and Christmas are still ahead of us - who knows how they'll be celebrated, but I'm sure we will find an appropriate way to do that too!

In the meantime, please keep safe. Respect each other and live in love for God and for each other.

May God be with us.

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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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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