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Benefice Bulletin 29 April 2020
Easter 3. The sacredness of slow
 
God of love and light,
In this time of fear, give us your peace.
In this time of isolation, give us your presence.
In this time of sickness, give us your healing.
In this time of uncertainty, give us your wisdom.
In this time of darkness, shine your light upon us all.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.                                                                 Tearfund
 
Those of you who know me will probably laugh, or at least smile wryly, when you see the title of ‘the sacredness of slow’.  I’m not known for going slow.  In fact, I’m probably somewhat the opposite, if I’m truthful.
 
When you first saw numbers on the clock this morning, how did you feel about time?  Did you see it as a companion, or a competitor?  I wonder if this time of lockdown might – for some of us – be an opportunity to slow down and reflect: a chance to discover the sacredness of slow.
 
Augustine said in his confessions (XI, 14) ‘What then is time? If no-one asks me, I know, but if I wish to explain it to one who asks, I know not.’  In one sense, we naturally know.  In another sense it is a real challenge (– not least because of the challenge of contemporary physicists that time doesn’t exist, such as the amazing Carlo Rovelli (see his TED talk on this here or find his book here)).  I’m quite drawn to time not existing, but then I guess I could more easily embrace the sacredness of slow, as there’s no true slow, or fast!
 
But if we can find a way to embrace a sacredness of slow – of real intentionality and presence – then sometimes the speed is less important, as we are truly present.  This being truly present is also a oneness where we learn that the well-being of one is bound up with the well-being of all.  For me, Covid-19 has been a real awakening of this. 
 
And as we think of the oneness of all, it is interesting to reflect on our life as the Benefice of Witney, and our call to be communities of Mercy and Kindness.  Before we think of our own little patch, let’s look more widely.  Extraordinarily, since COVID-19 hit, church growth has spiked by 300%!  Carey Nieuwhof’s Church Pulse Weekly in association with Barna Research has said that 49% of churches are currently growing – and this is so of all church size categories.  Now in some ways, this is good, but in other ways, we need to be cautious.  The danger is that we are currently producing religious consumers.  This little diagram puts it nicely:
 

For us in our calling to be a Community of Mercy and Kindness, I invite everyone who reads this to think: How can I be a vessel of Mercy and Kindness? How can I be the church in this time?  And what might it mean for us to live faithfully as we discover the sacredness of slow?
 
If you are interested in practices of resistance and how to live faithfully, you may like to see this article by Sam Wells and Maurenn Knudsen Langdoc Practices of resistance: How not to respond to the lockdown.
 
Do stay inside and safe - both to slow down the virus’ spread, and for the sake of our NHS workers. And do be praying for our NHS and health services across the world.
And may the Risen Christ come to you and invite you to discover the sacredness of slow!
 
Thursday
 
Thursday will be our online Eucharist as a benefice at 12noon. Please join us if you can.
 
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/701093091?pwd=YzhBbDBnRHl0eUNvSTJsT0ZkU3Q1dz09
 
Meeting ID: 701 093 091
Password: 007761

Next Sunday

We look forward to next Sunday at 1030 to joining together for Easter 4. Do join in and spread the word.  Last week it went out to hundreds of people and we hope to do the same again.
 
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/890739081?pwd=aURNcHRheVZ0R3pXeXkzRERqdDl4QT09   
 
Meeting ID: 890 739 081
Password: 020375

Other news:
 
Thought for the Day is available through the website each day and I warmly encourage you to follow this Monday to Friday to keep yourselves spiritually active! https://witneyparish.org.uk/outreach/thought-for-the-day.php
 
Today, Wednesday 29 April we are having our usual Benefice Virtual Drinks Party at 7.30pm.  If you are able to then do join us for this – simply pour yourself a drink, press this link and settle back for half an hour of fun and fellowship, when there’ll be a variety of acts coming your way!
 
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/244330560?pwd=Z1F0bG5ySkhqK0o0MUs3S1NYb3Z5QT09
 
Meeting ID: 244 330 560
Password: 011610
 
Pastoral Care remains our key concern. If you have any worries please be in touch with us so we can support you – remember, you are not alone.  Even as we have to spatially distance ourselves, we can grow closer together as a community of Christ.
 
Exploring Spirituality Programme: We are looking at ways to make our ESP virtual. Starting with Soul Care Conversations. More details can be found on our website: 
https://www.witneyparish.org.uk/belong/exploring-spirituality-programme

Prayer:  Ross is away on leave this week so his normal Instagram MP and EP will continue again from next Monday.  Many of you have said you are using the Daily Prayer App or the simple office on our website and we continue to pray this at 9am and 5.30pm daily.
 
Finally, a very happy Easter season and do continue to pray and keep the Faith!
 
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
from St Patrick’s Breastplate

You are invited to contribute to a hardship fund. Please would you donate by either a one off payment or ongoing contributions while the emergency lasts. For more information visit our website.

Payments to be made to our bank account.  

Account Name: Witney PCC
Account Number: 00971626
Sort Code: 20-97-48
Reference: Hardship Fund

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Saint Mary's Church, Witney · Saint Mary's Parish Office · The Green · Witney, Oxon OX28 4AW · United Kingdom

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