Huge thanks to everyone who has been so kind following my mother’s death two week’s ago. There was a simple graveside service that my brothers were able to attend last Monday. They ate a picnic lunch on the seafront together afterwards, with nostalgic foods that my mother would have chosen, like gala pie (you know, the one pork pie with egg in the middle). I have taken some leave this week, just to rest and reflect and grieve.
The COVID19 situation is evolving. Churches are able to open for private prayer, but with very strict rules about how this happens. The Cathedral is open for private prayer from Monday 22nd June. At St Wulstan’s we are not in any hurry, as our church is normally only open for services, events and activities, which CANNOT happen yet. We are looking at what the ‘next normal’ might be! Vicar and wardens will be talking again this week, and putting a strategy together for what might happen, how it might be achieved and with what timescales. It is unlikely that we will open the building until the beginning of July, however, and in-person gathered worship is not going to happen for a long time yet.
Everyone should receive in the post this week a new pack. For the next five weeks, we are lingering with Ecclesiastes 3 and the seasons of life with a series called ‘Rhythms for Living’, and then on Monday 27-July, we begin our Forty Days of Summer retreat in daily life, which this year is called ‘Footprints in the Sand’. These are all hoped to help us be together apart in worship, with ideas for Sundays and weekdays.
A simple offering this week, with access to the national church’s service for today.
Here is an Order of Service to follow along with.