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Trinity Newsletter
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Trinity Church Sutton
Dear Friend
We will all remember 2020 as the year of the pandemic. No-one could be sure that it would not touch them in some way. People who had been used to living safely and securely were suddenly exposed to the loss of health, livelihood and loved ones. Freedoms we had hardly noticed, let alone valued, were suddenly taken away.

There were some hopeful signs.  To protect public health, steps were taken to support people on the very margins of society.  Some benefits were increased and homeless people housed.  We stood on our doorsteps in solidarity with those who were risking their lives for our safety and security.  And we watched as the virus spread all over the world.

At harvest, which we will be marking on Sunday 27th September, we give thanks for our life, our health, our food.   Although we no longer live in farming communities where everyone lends a hand as all is safely gathered in, this year, we saw more clearly than ever the importance of the "essential workers" who labour here and across the world to meet our needs.

We know all too well that here in Sutton, in London, in the UK and across the world, there are many people whose needs are not met.  This year, because of public health restrictions, we cannot bring physical gifts to church so we must find different ways to express our harvest thanks and support for others.  Because our church is diverse, its members have connections all over the world, each of us belongs to a different set of overlapping communities, and the needs we most care about differ, may I, with the support of the Deacons, invite you to consider making a donation to one of the following, instead of bringing harvest gifts to church.

As a global charity, Christian Aid, which exists to create a world where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty.  Its Autumn appeal seeks to bring our global neighbours good harvests for the future - for example by helping farmers to adapt to climate change by learning to grow new crops
https://www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/key-appeals/global-neighbours-autumn-appeal

As a national charity, Fare Share, which redistributes surplus food to charities across the UK. In the last year it has worked with 10,000 charities and provided over 50 million meals
https://fareshare.org.uk/get-involved/fundraise-for-fareshare/other-ways-to-give/

As a London-wide charity, The Felix Project, which redistributes surplus food to charities and schools in Greater London
https://thefelixproject.org/

As a local charity, Sutton Food Bank, which provides food parcels to local people in crisis
https://www.bankuet.co.uk/sutton

Alternatively, you may have another favourite charity you wish to support.  Wherever you give, it will make a difference.

On Sunday 20th September there will be two services – at 10 am and 11 am – and for those who cannot attend, or who do not feel comfortable doing so, the first service will be live-streamed at 10 am.  It will also be available to view online from 1 pm.

For your reassurance, may I remind you of the precautions we have taken in our effort to keep the church free of Covid-19?
  • A comprehensive risk assessment has been carried out on behalf of the Deacons and can be found on our website.
  • To allow for appropriate physical distancing, every third pew will be in use and this means that we have reduced capacity.
  • The entrance will be through the south east outside door, into the coffee area. 
  • Hand sanitisers will be used on entry.
  • We will be pleased to welcome you, but not with a handshake.
  • There will be designated routes around the church. 
  • The exit will be through the south west and the vestry doors. Special arrangements will be made for any wheelchair users.
  • There will be a comprehensive single-use paper order of service for each person, which you will be asked to take away with you.
  • There will be no singing, but there will be organ music with Stephen at the console. 
  • There will be no crèche or Junior Church but children of all ages are actively encouraged to attend and will be welcome at any of the services.
  • A toilet will be available.
  • There will be no coffees and teas following the services.
  • Between each service, the toilet and touch points such as door handles, stair rails and pew backs will be cleaned.
  • You are invited to place your offering in a common receptacle at the back of the church either as you enter or as you leave.
Finally, I remind you that
  • face coverings are now required when attending places of worship. I, however, will be barefaced when conducting the service so that I am not muffled.
  • we will record your attendance for test and trace purposes
  • you should not attend church if you are showing any of the symptoms associated with the virus
Yours,
            Dave
Revd Dr David Dickinson
Worship on Sunday 20 September

Church services this Sunday will be held at 10am and at 11am.  Seating is limited on account of Coronavrus restrictions, but in the preceding weeks no-one has been turned away for lack of space.  Please remember to bring a face covering, which is now mandatory for congregations in churches in England.  Our services will be led by our minister, Revd Dr David Dickinson.

The lesson will be Philippians 1: 21-30

Deacons on duty are Ruth MacLaren and Selamawi Zere.

The organist is Stephen Haylett, B Mus, ARCM, ARCO.
Worship at home on Sunday 20 September

Please see this page of the church website and join in worship at 10.00am led by our minister online.
Christian Study - At this page on the church website you will find  links to both the Junior  and Adult webpages from Roots on the Web, a resource used by some departments in Junior Church.
Coffee and Chat

As we come out of lockdown, our church services will remain unable to include an opportunity for chat over coffee.   So the Coffee and Chat group, which has been meeting via Zoom after the recorded service each Sunday, is continuing on Zoom  on Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm.   
 
If you would like to join some familiar faces you would be welcome.  Please contact John and Deborah Wroe 020 8642 9064 or john.p.wroe@gmail.com.
Dial a service!   If you know anyone who would like to be able to listen to our recorded services, but who doesn't have internet access, we now have a solution for them too - please let them know!  Simply phone 020 3319 1332 at any time and listen to hear a recording of the most recent service at Trinity.   The cost is that of a local call, which for many people will be free.
Call after 1.00pm on Sunday by which time that morning's service should be available.
September Ecotip
This month concentrates on reducing waste:
  •  Reduce the amount of food you throw away by planning your meals and writing a list before you go shopping – so you only buy what you will use. Look at www.lovefoodhatewaste.com
  • Ask yourself whether you need to buy something. The most sustainable option is using what you already own!  Remember shop displays and social media are designed to induce impulse buying. If you see something you’d like, think about it for 24 hours before making your decision.
The Trinity Website
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