1. St Mary's church building can stay open daily for private prayer and peace
2. Sadly not permitted from 5th Nov is any public worship
   (Sunday/Wednesday services, morning prayer in church, silent space together etc); any groups or meetings of any kind in the church building are not permitted (only filming for services)
3. Funerals are permitted in church and crematorium for up to 30 people
   
   See below for further details of all we can continue, as the church together in hope, faith, love, and care, including.....we will continue online only now with our weekly Sunday worship (in another fresh new way hopefully), and online daily prayers, fellowship groups, coffee chat, and other ways to go through these months together. As well as continuing all ways we can to include and support anybody without internet connection, and resources to free us from living only online!

Dear friends
This Sunday we remember those who sacrificed their lives for others, the loss of life and grief of millions in the First and Second World Wars, the multiple griefs experienced with war including the Spanish Flu pandemic 1918-20 also ripping through exhausted populations. We remember those in active service in conflicts since 'the war to end all wars' and now. We remember those who never returned, those injured, those who mourn. Those who fought for the freedoms and fullness of life we are blessed with today. Amidst all today's pain and distractions, 'we will remember them'.  (details of our Remembrance Sunday service above)

As we begin this next national lockdown, and continue to travel through these times together, please know there is much mutual care and support and prayer surrounding you. If you are struggling, poorly, grieving, or just in need of a chat - please get in touch. There are others keen to connect locally too if you would like somebody to phone regularly. See below too for practical support, prescriptions, lifts to health appointments, shopping etc through the support network. 

November's a month of remembering, offering & receiving support..not least in prayer

• Join at 6pm daily in prayer at home, as we come together across the parish and the nation in a wave of prayer for our nation which our Archbishops Justin and Stephen have just launched (see below)
• Please continue in prayer for all in our villages, in our nation, in our world, who are fearful or alone, all who are falling sick, all who care for them, all under pressure to cope, all whose livelihoods, jobs and businesses are struggling, for schools, colleges, teachers, children, families and so many more. 
• St Mary's church remains open every day for prayer, for anybody to find peace & warmth

• St Mary's Home Church informal Sunday worship on zoom or phone in - (see below) 
• Get creative - compose or draw something with Christmas story theme for Shalford Parish Magazine Bumper Christmas Special (see below)
• Join St Mary's fellowship groups now up and running, offering wonderful opportunities to come together - Pilgrim Eucharist, Mental Health, or Bereavement cafe  (see below). 
• Our Christmas Tree Festival will still go ahead in December - so why not get prepared or create your tree. And send in your booking form! The more trees the better, particularly this year to brighten peoples' Christmastide. If many individuals could decorate/create a tree small or large, that would be wonderful. Do spread the word.

May you stay safe and warm, in faith, hope and love, at home, at school, at work, at college - and not feel alone or despair, through these next few weeks. 
‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit’  (Romans 15:13)
with love and prayers, Rev'd Sarah

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