As a leader, I am now fully into thinking through what 'Church' might look like post-pandemic - you can imagine that around the country there are lots of different views!
One common theme coming through is that church life will be a 'Hybrid' of In-Person and On-Line.
We certainly want to get back to meeting together' In-Person' and I long for that, but we also don't want to lose the amazing ability through the many 'On-Line' ministry opportunities. I am beginning to see - for example - that 'On-Line' Morning Prayer that we enjoy Monday- Friday on Facebook Live at 8.30am may well become part of an ongoing rhythm of SMB church life.
An important aspect of us all coming out well from this Pandemic experience is that we process it properly. But how do we do that? I am exploring this and if you have any suggestions please feed them through to me and the staff team. One essential of processing is talking to one another on whatever communication platform is best for you. Many people have had a desperate time during this pandemic, whilst at the other end of the scale - some people have hardly been affected in their own lifestyle at all. It's different for everyone. I can quite see that this processing may take some time and it must not be rushed.
Meanwhile, let us make the most of every opportunity that God provides, process what we can of our experiences and honour him in all aspects of our lives
We will be opening up Zoom, for about 30 minutes, after the online service to provide an opportunity for prayer and for a chat - similar to the time that would normally happen at the end of a service if we were in the church building.
The details of how to log in will be shown near the end of the service so don't switch off straight away! So make sure you have pen and paper handy, or pause or rewind the video.
If you have updated to the latest version of Zoom (5.4.3) then, when you log in, you should be able to choose if you wish to join a chat group or a group for prayer. If not, a member of the St Mary's Team will be able to allocate you to a room after you have logged in.
Shana Kreusch, the new St Mary's Bletchley Worship and Media Pastor, has put together a short survey to help her understand how SMB connects with God and to give insight into how to grow and develop worship and church online.
We are holding Communion services over Zoom on Wednesdays at 10am.
Anyone who wishes to join can use these log in details. These will be the same now until the end of the year so please keep a note of them: ID 852 6372 0832
Passcode 401633
We also now have the facility to listen to the service on the phone for those who are unable to join on Zoom. Just dial one of the numbers below, then enter the ID and Passcode above to be connected to the audio of the service:
Connect with us for a 'flipping' good time with our virtual pancake party!
Join us online as we cook and eat pancakes together. Celebrate Shrove Tuesday and the start of Lent with a fun evening. https://smbpancakeparty.eventbrite.co.uk Will finish before Word and Spirit that evening.
We will be running our third Alpha Course Online starting on February 21st at 7pm. It will run for 8 weeks finishing 18th April (with a break for Easter Sunday) and will cover such topics as Who is Jesus? Why do we pray? and How does God guide us?
You can hear from people who have done the SMB Alpha Course before in the video below.
If you haven’t signed up for the 24/7 week of prayer starting on 17.02.2021 (Ash Wednesday) please do so.This time we will be focusing on Mental Health and LENT.
Register your place and join us this coming Tuesday
Our next Word and Spirit session is on Tuesday 16th February at 7.30pm: this time on Learning to hear from God. You can book your place or find more information at https://smbwordandspirit.eventbrite.co.uk
Ask Us Anything:
Why Am I The Only One Making An Effort?
Here is the next video from SMB Ask Us Anything.
Useful contact information:
St Mary’s Community Centre contact: maryann.brooks@stmarysbletchley.org
West Bletchley Well Being Centre: http://www.wbwbcounselling.org.uk
SMB Pastoral Support number: 07434984909
You can still submit a question by emailing peter.landry@stmarysbletchley.org. We will not publicise who asked the question so you will be anonymous.
Click on the picture above for more information.
St Joseph's, Newton Leys
St Joseph's, Newton Leys, is the pioneer church linked to St Mary's in our parish. It is headed by Rev Ben Thorpe and is currently continuing online. You can follow what they are doing on Facebook here.
A service provide by Oxford Diocese
Giving To St Mary's
In these times when we are unable to meet in the Church building together, your donations are just as important to us as they have always been. Your offerings mean we can continue to serve our community both practically and spiritually, worship, and connect with each other and maintain our buildings ready for when we can open again.
Virtual Church is a real blessing, but it does mean physically making your offering interesting if you make your offering via the collection plate. The Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) has responded to this need and it is now possible to sign up to the scheme over the phone. Please call them on 0333 002 1271, remembering to have to hand St Mary’s Bletchley Parish Code which is 270627709 and know that we are in the Diocese of Oxford. If you would like further information you can have a look on their website https://www.parishgivingscheme.org.uk/for-donors/
Or if you would prefer to make a one-off donation then please email me and I can tell you how to do this. nicky.whitmore@stmarysbletchley.org
Thank you.
