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Benefice Bulletin 01 April 2020
1 April
 
A History professor at Boston University named Joseph Boskin did some research that suggested that April Fool's Day began during the Roman Empire.  A court jester had boasted to Emperor Constantine that the Fool's and jesters of the court could rule the kingdom better than the Emperor could. In response, Constantine had decreed that the court Fool would be given a chance to prove this boast, and he set aside one day of the year upon which a fool would rule the kingdom. The first year Constantine appointed a jester named Kugel as ruler, and Kugel immediately decreed that only the absurd would be allowed in the kingdom on that day. Therefore the tradition of April Fool's was born.

Who knows whether that’s true or not!  I wonder what April Fool’s stick in your mind?  I remember one year that Radio 4 did a spoof resetting of the Archers’ music. I was incensed by it and completely fell for the April Fool!

If a few weeks ago I had said that all churches would be closed and Church would happen virtually online, with a weekly benefice drinks party, I suspect most people would have looked suspiciously at me and thought I’d got the date wrong, thinking I was on an early April Fool.

But we find ourselves in this weird new wilderness time, of loss, fear and confusion.  As we do so I am reminded of the words of 1 Corinthians 1.25 ‘God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.’  I hope that you might find new ways during these strange times to come to know God’s wisdom.  And that you may come to know the importance of the Cross which is ‘the power of God’.  You may well like to see Ross’ video on making a Cross to be ready for our service together on Sunday morning at 1030.

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.
 
Tomorrow
Thursday we will have our first 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

This Sunday

We look forward this Sunday at 1030 to joining together for Palm Sunday.  We shall focus on the Triumphal entry into Jerusalem. 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

All services are also live streamed via our website. Find the current service here: https://witneyparish.org.uk/services-1/this-weeks-live-stream and previous services here: https://www.witneyparish.org.uk/services-1/virtual-services.

Other news:
 
Thought for the Day is available through the website each day (https://www.witneyparish.org.uk/outreach/thought-for-the-day) and I warmly encourage you to follow this Monday to Friday to keep yourselves spiritually active!
 
Today, Wednesday 1 April we are having our second ever 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.
 
Prayer:  Ross has a number of people following him on Instagram.  Many of you have said you are using the Daily Prayer App or the simple office on our website.

Finally, do please 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
There’s a setting of this I offer to you at this time to listen to and comfort you here

May Joy abound and Peace in the struggles,

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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