St John’s Stoke Row to reopen from 6th June

Dear friends,

At the Church Council meeting last week, the decision was taken to reopen St John’s church for live worship on Sundays from Sunday 6th June. There will be a 9.30am service every week, which will be “said, short, and socially distant” and led by a member of the staff team.  Until we are told otherwise, masks will still need to be worn in the building. The 11am zoom service will continue to be available and open to all. For all of us this represents a small but significant step on the road to recovery. Please remember that this is not “the road back”. We are all on a journey into the future together, and are beginning the process of working out what we can do as churches in order to be able to safely “live with Covid”.

Checkendon’s Church Council are meeting this week, and will be discussing the options for reopening that are available or possible for St Peter & St Paul’s. It is important to remember that every church is different, both in terms of the worship that can be offered, and also the outcome of any Covid risk assessments that need to be made in the light of guidance or legislation.

Worship for Sunday 2nd 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 Morning Prayer with Revd Kevin. 636 645 195 and passcode 000162.  A simple service of prayers, readings, and a sermon, with hymns and a chance to chat.

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 !

Please pray

For the people of India as they grapple with the latest wave of the pandemic. For those who mourn loved ones, both in that country and here in ours. For those who are now living alone and struggling to make new connections and friendships. For those whose business has been destroyed by Covid, and who have to begin again.

Please also pray for the Governors, Staff and Pupils of Checkendon C/E School as we seek to appoint a Headteacher to succeed Mrs Gillian Seymour in the autumn term.

We give thanks to God for his mercy and faithfulness, and for the spring flowers and new life that reminds us to not lose hope. These frittillaria are eccentric, to say the least, but I have put them together so their brash confidence brings a smile. St Monty claims that they are loved by blue tits, so we are watching with interest. Every garden, every walk, will show you new things every day, if your eyes are open.

The Lord bless you and keep you in His love.      Revd Kevin.