Dear <<First Name>>,
No doubt this week you have been trying to keep up with all of the latest news regarding the next steps as we start to move out of the current lockdown. Like me you are also probably trying to work out what it all means, and, given the various sources and interpretations, it can be rather confusing. However, alongside the government guidlines, Baptists Together have been providing support for churches in trying to think through what next steps might look like and the following was published on their website on 12th May:
"In line with the Government’s 3 steps, it is hoped that by 4th July public places, with places of worship explicitly referenced, will be allowed to re-open in some form. This does not mean things will return to pre-COVID-19 arrangements and in order for premises to be used in any form they will need to meet the COVID-19 Secure guidelines."
As you can see, this does not indicate a full re-opening of our building as things were previously because additional arrangements are likely to be required. As a church leadership team we have met to start planning what the future might look like and we will be meeting again via Zoom on Monday morning. Please do pray for us and that we will know God's wisdom at this time.
But don't forget, just because the building is currently closed doesn't mean that church is closed. On the contrary, the universal Church is even more alive and well than it ever has been, we've just found different ways to worship and connect with each other. One of the statistics that has been talked about nationally is that during this crisis, 1 in 4 adults have engaged with church Online. This is good news and I am encouraged that our own Sunday livestreams, along with our other videos posted on YouTube, are attracting a good number of viewers. My prayer is that these are able to support people, wherever they may be and with whatever they are currently experiencing, that they will know something of the love of our Father God. It was also good for us as a church family to spend time together socially on Saturday playing some parlour games over Zoom and I trust that those who participated had an enjoyable time.
To join us in these times together please do use the links below to connect to our gatherings on Zoom and for taking part with the livestream and Baptists Together prayer gathering on YouTube. If you have a Google account then you can sign in to YouTube and add your own messages to share with others on the chat stream. Although it's not compulsory, it is a good way of letting each other know that we are present. Our website has also been updated so that all of the previous livestreams are more easily accessible on the livestreams page.
Also in this email, you will find a link to the UK Blessing video which has been a huge encouragement to our nation at this time. Why not join the nearly 2.5 million people who have already viewed it and who have found it to be a blessing to them. Along side this, I invite you to join me on Zoom over the course of 11 days between Ascension Day and Pentecost to pray for God's Kingdom to come and to bring blessings to the world. During the 11 days of Thy Kingdom Come, it is hoped that everyone who takes part will:
- Deepen their own relationship with Jesus Christ
- Pray for 5 friends or family to come to faith in Jesus
- Pray for the empowerment of the Spirit that we would be effective in our witness
After the very first Ascension Day the disciples gathered with Mary, constantly devoting themselves to prayer while they waited for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Like them, our reliance on the gift of the Holy Spirit is total – on our own we can do nothing. So, please do join with me at mid-day between 21st and 31st May as we pray. Again, the links for this are below.
And finally, this Sunday we will be celebrating Communion so if you would like to join in with this act of remembrance for all that Jesus has done for us please have something to eat and drink ready.
Until we meet again and with every blessing,
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Links For Sunday's Online Events
- To join us for prayer before the livestream click on the blue button
- To join us for the livestream click on the red button
- To join us for a general chat click on the yellow button
- To join the Baptists Together prayer gathering click on the green button
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Zoom ID: 724-8959-9642 Password: Not Required
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Zoom ID: 798-4232-7261 Password: Not Required
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Unable To Access YouTube?
If you or someone you know is unable to join in with the Sunday Worship Livestream on YouTube, but have access to a DVD or CD player, then you can request a DVD or CD. If you would like a copy, please let me know (either by replying to this email or telephoning/texting me) and I can add you to the list to get one dropped off to you during the week.
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Zoom is an online conferencing platform and we've been using it to pray and meet with one another over the course of the last few weeks. To make it even easier to use, and to enable those without a computer or smart device to connect too, you can now join by simply using a normal telephone. Simply dial one of the telephone numbers listed below and follow the instructions to enter the meeting ID (required) and password (if required) using the numbers on your telephone.
0203 481 5240 (London)
0203 051 2874 (London)
0203 481 5237 (London)
0131 460 1196 (Edinburgh)
The cost of making a call to these numbers will depend on the package you have from your telephone provider.
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An amazing song with contributions from churches all around the UK.
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Thy Kingdom Come is a global prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray for more people to come to know Jesus. At this particular time, and with a quarter of UK adults searching for answers, there is no better time to come together and pray.
Therefore, you are invited to join us on Zoom every mid-day from 21st May to 31st May (excluding Sundays) as we seek God's Kingdom.
Use the following details to connect with us:
Zoom ID: 899-9614-7199 Password: 4316
To find out more visit the website by click on the button below.
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A series thinking about Paul's letter to the church in the city of Philippi and what it might be be saying to us today in this time of uncertainty. Find out more by visiting our YouTube channel and watching live on Sunday mornings at 10:30am or catch up at anytime.
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Church Prayer Points
- For those suffering with Coronavirus, including Maureen's family.
- Give thanks for negative tests for Judite S and Barbara W.
- For our church leadership team as they meet on Monday morning.
- For the Schools Workers Trust trustees as they meet on Tuesday morning.
- For our government as they discern the way forward out of the lockdown.
- For those suffering with loneliness and mental health.
- For Compassion Acts and the work they do to support the vulnerable.
- For the NHS, emergency services and key workers; that God will watch over them and protect them.
- That the world may know God's peace and His presence.
If you have a prayer request, please let Dan know for this email list and Mary know for the telephone chain.
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