Checkendon Church to reopen from Monday 14th June

Dear friends,

I am pleased to let you know that Checkendon church will be reopening on a daily basis from Monday 14th June. Live worship will recommence with a short said service every Sunday at 9am from Sunday 20th June. Zoom services will continue at 11am until the last Sunday in July. The 9am short live service will continue throughout the month of August.  Once we know the “rules” for post lockdown worship (social distancing? masks? singing? coffee?) we will be able to improve on what we can offer.

It is hoped that we will then be able to return at Checkendon to a “normal” 11am service from 5th September, with a weekly zoom service also being offered. The rota(s) for hymns, coffee, worship assistants, readers, intercessors and sidespeople will also recommence on Sunday 5th September.

It will be lovely to see everyone again in church, to sing, and share news, to celebrate communion, and rejoice together at what God has been working quietly among us during this season of extremities. There are a couple of caveats; we are all out of practise at being “social”, so it may well take a little time for church in the flesh to feel “normal” again; and we’ve all seen how worshipping online has enabled those excluded by distance or infirmity to be an important part of our church family, so we have to find a way that this fellowship is able to continue. It is a journey, so let’s enjoy it!

Worship for Sunday 9th May

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.

11am Holy Communion with Revd Kevin. 636 645 195 and passcode 000162.  A communion for the Easter season, with a visit to Caesarea Maritima.

It is absolutely OK to pass these details onto friends and family, who are very welcome to join us. Other online service options can be found on the Langtree Team Ministry Churches website.

You can support Checkendon church and  Stoke Row churches via dedicated and secure online card donation pages. Just click on the link. Please also Gift Aid your donation if you pay any income tax. Thank you !

Prayer Stations coming next week.

From midday on Wednesday 12th May to 4 pm on 26th May there will be some Prayer Stations set up in Checkendon Church to help us all engage in the “Thy Kingdom Come” Prayer Initiative happening all over the country.  Drop in any time when the church is open on Wednesdays and Sundays and have a look at the displays based on the Lord’s Prayer.  We hope they inspire you with your private prayers as we come out of lockdown and begin to look ahead once again.

“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”  Psalm 37:3-4

Your Rector    Canon Kevin