A race against variance

Dear friends,

Let us celebrate the impressive roll out of the vaccination programme with a burst of renewed vigilance. January may be history, but it is not the time to relax as far as the virus is concerned. The problem of a viral mutation that is more catchable is that it means more deaths, plain and simple, even if all other factors (including mortality) remain the same. So we must continue to do all we can to prevent the spread; don’t go out; don’t mix with others; ventilation, face coverings and hand washing.

Worship for Sunday 7th February

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 to start the week, with a chance to chat afterwards.

It is absolutely OK to pass these details onto friends and family, who are very welcome to join us. Please don’t however post them on social media. Other online service options can be found on the Langtree Team Ministry Churches website. All live services across the Langtree Team have been suspended for the present. Checkendon and Whitchurch both remain open for private prayer on Wednesdays and Sundays.

You can support Checkendon church and now, Stoke Row church via dedicated and secure online card donation pages. Just click on the link. If you care about your church, please don’t stop giving. Its really important. Please also Gift Aid your donation if you pay any income tax. Thank you !

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday (17th Feb) marks the next milestone on our pilgrimage together through this time. It is the beginning of Lent.  We are holding an online Team service at 7.30pm – the Zoom numbers  are 879 8030 1356 and 046897. The service will be led by Revd Kevin; there will be a special performance of Allegri’s miserere by Ipsden choir, and the preacher will be Revd Angela. Don’t miss this opportunity to worship together as our Lent journey begins.

“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings will I take refuge until the destruction has passed.” Psalm 57:1. David writes in fear for his life, as he flees from Saul, and hides in the desert wilderness of Judea. The desert was a place of safety for David; he was used to it, and knew its ways. Likewise the challenge for us all is to “get used to” the ways of the lockdown desert; life may still be found here, and the places of safety we discover may serve us again in the future.

May God be with you, and those you care for,

Your Rector, Revd Kevin.