Church closure until mid-February

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 will be streamed online via Facebook - but then posted shortly afterwards on our own website. Please keep in touch, and we will still be there if any emergency situation arises!

If you would like to follow the services, but don't have a prayer book - please feel free to print the service from our own webpage, or if you have any other issues, just let me know and I'll send a copy via email or "snail mail" if you can't get to a printer!

I am always available for a chat, to pray with you, or simply to "shoot the breeze" or "put the world to right"! Don't worry about being alone, please get in touch.

I will continue to pray for everyone in the coming days an d weeks, and will continue to be present for anyone that needs any care for any reason at all!

Please keep safe! Keep your distance from others! Wash your hands! Only go out if you absolutely have to! If you are out, please assume anyone or everyone could have this dreadful disease, and act accordingly!

God bless you all.

Johnny

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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

Back to the BCP!!

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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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