Dear Friends,
Suspension of Public Worship
We have received advice from the Archbishops that, in the light of the Covid 19 pandemic, public worship and meetings in church will be suspended until further notice.
As the statement from the Archbishops makes clear, this does not mean the church is shutting - far from it.
Mass will be offered at Noon each day
The clergy will continue to offer Morning and Evening Prayer - and Mass will be celebrated each day at noon in the Nave of the church, which will be live streamed. Do join us in praying from your homes.
You can see today's Midday Mass on the Facebook pages of St Michael & All Angels and St Peter’s, Acton Green and future services will be live-streamed there. Please watch the St Michael and All Angels website and St Peter's Acton Green website and our Facebook and Twitter pages for further information.
Please know that we are praying for you, for your loved ones, for all who are in sickness and in need at this time, and for all who are involved in the care and healing of others.
Church buildings open
St Michael’s and St Peter’s will be open daily as usual for private prayer and contemplation.
Get in touch
If you have self-isolated and/or you need any pastoral support, please get in touch with us via the Parish Office: 020 8994 1380 or
parishoffice@smaaa.org.uk. We should love to have details of how best to contact you with up to date information on our church life in the forthcoming weeks.
National Day of Prayer
The Archbishops invite everyone this coming Sunday, Mothering Sunday, to join in prayer at home for the country, for the world and all who are sick or anxious at this time, by placing a lit candle in a window at 7pm on that day.
Four things to ponder:
1. It is a priority for us that we keep ourselves and others safe and well.
2. It is also important to have a robust pastoral strategy at this time: not just the clergy, but all the congregation, engaged in actively phoning - or contacting in other ways - vulnerable members of the congregation and others, to keep in touch and to offer practical help if need be.
3. It is also extremely important that people know that the ‘voice of prayer is never silent.’ As I say, the clergy will continue to offer Morning and Evening Prayer and Mass, and we intend to offer prayer resources on the website and in church to those who wish to join us from their own homes.
4. Communication: keeping in touch over the ensuing weeks will be a significant way in which we can still be the ‘church’. I hope we can develop ways through our website, email letters and social media where this can be effective.
The impact on many in our society will be great - as well as on our congregational life, particularly as we journey through Holy Week and Easter - but we believe in God whose love in Christ is known to us in times of need and who inspires the gifts of faith, hope and love within us through His Spirit. So, we ask for guidance to be able to serve God and others.
I will write with further news and updates soon - and there will be more information in our usual Friday morning Events Newsletter.
Prayer
Please pray for us as we engage in responding to the situation in our world at this time.
Keep us, good Lord,
under the shadow of your mercy
in this time of uncertainty and distress.
Sustain and support the anxious and fearful,
and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may rejoice in your comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen
Yours in Christ,
Fr Kevin
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