Aghavea Parish Church

Hi folks It's amazing to think that this Sunday finishes the first month in 2021 - a year that has been much anticipated throughout last year, bringing changes to the pandemic that has gripped the whole world.  Thankfully, a lot of people are being vaccinated, and as that continues, we hope that we can see some return to normality (although who knows what the new normal will look like). Please continue to keep yourselves and others around you safe, and continue to care for one another.  Don't take chances, no matter how "safe" they look - we will get through this together! Please find below the service sheet for our Morning Prayer Service for Sunday 31st January 2021 - the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany.  Our service starts at 11am, see you all soon. Blessings Johnny    

Hi folks You may have noticed recently that we've been conducting a few services online - and yes, that is a little bit of an understatement!!  Unfortunately we have not been able to gather as the church recently, but we have been anle to continue to worship virtually.  I'm glad this lockdown didn't happen 10 years ago! While I will continue to stream the services live on Facebook, and they will remain there until someone decides they're taking up too much room (and that won't be me) - they are easier to find now that I've started using YouTube to "store" them. You will find a link at the top left of the News items, or by following the link at the bottom of this article.  If you wish to keep up to date with the videos, click on "Subscribe" button, which will then notify you when a video is added! You don't need a subscription to view them, there is no need to scroll through the profile to find videos, and hopefully it will be easier to fi

Hi folks Please find attached the service sheet for Sunday 24th January 2021. The service will be streamed live on Facebook, followed shortly afterwards on YouTube.  Regards Johnny

Hi folks With the recent discussions about extending the "lockdown" - the Bishops have made a statement that I've included below.  In short, they agree that if the infection rate is significantly high enough to keep the rest of society locked down - then they don't think that it is worth taking the risk to bring people back into the church buildings either. Of course, should there be an emergency situation - such as a funeral - the service may take place under the very strict conditions that are provided, but we should be encouraging everyone to stay in their homes as much as possible.  We will not be scheduling any public worship in church until at least the start of March - unless there is a sudden improvement in the infection rates and we are advised otherwise. As the rector in Aghavea, I believe that God would want us to act responsibly, and I think that the bishops have made the correct decision at this point, given the evidence that we can all plainly see.  I un

Hi folks Please find the service sheet for Morning Prayer service on Sunday 17th January 2021. The service will be streamed live via Facebook, and a link will appear here shortly afterwards.  Blessings Johnny    

Hi folks Please find the Service Sheet for the First Sunday after Epiphany, 10th January 2021.  The service will be online only - and will continue to be so until at least the first week in February.  We continue to be the Church in Aghavea - just not meeting in our church building!     The Church isn't closed - just the building!!   All the readings and current announcements (yes, they're few and far between) are included on the sheet.  The service will be streamed as ever on the rector's Facebook page, then uploaded to this page shortly afterwards. Please continue to keep safe, and continue to act as if we all are already contagious! Blessings Johnny   Service on Youtube - No account reqd    

Hi folks Friday 8th January sees a new stage in our New Year lockdown - with all of us being asked (slightly ordered) to remain inside unless we need to leave for an essential journey.  In response, I am starting a new cycle of Morning Services, as well as our Evening Prayer.  They will all be listed here, including the readings for each service.  You can follow live on Facebook, or watch later here. Readings for Morning Prayer: Isaiah 64; Psalm 46; 1 John 4:7-end Morning Prayer Two, BCP p101 -----00000----- Evening Prayer One, BCP p84   Readings for Evening Prayer: Psalm 145; Jeremiah 30: 1-17; Matthew 20: 17-28      

Hi folks It's time to be serious again.  We know that Covid-19 (C19) is running rampant through our community and our parish at the moment.  Several of our parishioners are ill at the moment too - and when the numbers start becoming names, then this is when it starts to feel personal.  We have already closed the doors of the building for a few weeks over Christmas and new year, in response to the threat. As you will have probably heard by now - the leaders of the different denominations have agreed that they church buildings should remain closed until 7th February.  This clarifies the position for us all - and is a vindication of the position that many had already made. However, just because the building is closed - the church is still very much open!  We are still here, and will continue to remain online for the next few weeks.  Just as in the first lockdown, we will return to two services per day each weekday, Morning Prayer at 1130am, and Evening Prayer at 530pm.  The services w

Hi folks Thank you for joining me this evening - the readings at our Evening Prayer service were Psalm 78: 40-72, Jeremiah 23: 1-8, Matthew 20: 1-16. Evening Prayer Two started on page 101 in the Book of Common Prayer. Please find included the video of the service. Regards Johnny    

Hi folks This week's Celebration of Wholeness and Healing falls on a particularly important date - 6th January, which is the day we celebrate Epiphany.  This is the day when we remember the visit of the Wise Men (or Magi) to see Jesus. It is also a day in which we normally celebrate through Holy Communion, hence the service this afternoon will include Holy Communion at the end of the service. Please find attached the service sheet for today's service, including the Epiphany readings. Please feel free to join me for the Communion, even though we will only gather virtually. Regards Johnny