Open Churches

Dear friends,

Greetings ! I hope you have had an enjoyable summer, whether you’ve stayed at home or travelled at all.

I’m pleased to tell you that we are now able to offer early services on a Sunday morning in two of our churches, with a Holy Communion at Woodcote at 8.30am, and Morning Prayer at Checkendon at 9am, commencing this Sunday 6th Sept.

We are also able to offer a midweek Holy Communion at 10.30am on Wednesdays at North Stoke, and on Thursdays at Ipsden, starting from 2nd and 3rd September.

All these services will be simple, said, and short. Please wear a face covering to come to church and remember to keep 2 metres away from other worshippers. You may be asked to use hand rub on entering the church and you may not be given an order of service. Those of you who are over 70 are strongly advised to be mindful of the risk that you are taking. Our buildings have a “covid capacity” which may mean we have to limit entry. That said, anyone from across the Team is welcome at any service – just come to whichever works best for you.

Church in this way will feel very different to the normal friendly informality of our villages. The most helpful way to think of it is that it will be akin to a “monastic” service, (albeit without the chanting!). If you have any questions and for further guidance on what to expect, please contact Revd Linda (Woodcote) Revd John (Ipsden and North Stoke) or Revd Kevin (Checkendon.)

Sunday Worship online for the 6th of September

For the foreseeable future, our “main” morning services will continue to be online.

This Sunday’s worship options are hosted by Revds John,  Linda and Kevin. You will need the zoom app installed on your device (laptop, tablet, phone or PC) – download from https://www.zoom.us.  Just before the appointed time, run the app, click on “join meeting” and enter the meeting number and passcode below for the service you wish to attend.

A Service of the Word with Revd John  10am        188 513 761 and 019797         Readings and prayers to start the day with God.

Worshipping Together with Revd Linda 10am   872 3728 1721 and  046471    An informal and friendly service to explore your faith.

Morning Prayer with Revd Kevin  11am       636 645 195  and 000162.     A prayerful service with readings, hymns and a short talk.

Family and friends are welcome to join us. It is a great way to stay in touch.  There are also midweek online service options available on Wednesdays and Fridays in the evening. Do check out the worship pages on the Team Ministry website for full details.

Its difficult to take a collection during an online service but please support Woodcote or Checkendon or Ipsden churches via their dedicated and secure card donation pages. Just click on the church you wish to help. Please also Gift Aid your donation if you pay any income tax.

Don’t forget to ask

We remain very much in the land of uncertainty, as attempts are made all around us to “restart” society with the virus still in play. This means that there is an anxious time ahead, whether for workers, or parents, or senior citizens or those with any kind of responsibility, or those whose health is compromised in any way. How much is what I do a risk to myself, or to others? Am I comfortable with this level of risk? Are those around me comfortable with it? The important thing is to keep communicating: “Is this OK with you?” Very often this communication is the missing ingredient, when we assume that others are happy with something we are doing when they are not; we haven’t asked, and they can’t find a way to say it.  So, let’s keep talking. Its one of the things that makes us human, and its also good for us.

May the Lord bless us, as we try to be faithful people.

Your Rector                       Revd Kevin Davies