Page 3 - br-april-2020

April 2020 April 2020

DATES FOR BISHOP’S LETTER

YOUR DIARY Doing the normal abnormally

In developing our responses to Coronavirus
2020
we are in uncharted territory. The Church of
England’s policies change as
Key: FG-Floral Group, AL-Autumn Leaves, TA– Twinning, WI-Women’s circumstances change. What we are doing
Institute, PiP-Pop in Place, GC-Gardening Club is informed by the best scientific advice
and government policy. We need a
corporate discipline about this so in working
18th Salt and Pepper Club
out your church policies please keep to this guidance. Link to diocesan website
here
23rd Communibus - Ottery Nursery, Exeter
During the recent flooding it was striking that in every affected community
25th PiP Summer Show 6.00pm churches were at the heart of the care and recovery programmes. We are local
everywhere. With Coronavirus the suspension of public worship the need for
‘social distancing’ makes this more difficult. It is heartening to see that lots of good
26th PiP Summer Show 7.00pm
ideas are being developed locally. In this the social media can be a great
blessing.
27th PiP Summer Show 2.00pm
Good pastoral care is vital for the whole community, especially the most
July vulnerable. Please work with neighbours to care for those most in need. Check on
neighbours, shop for those staying in, make sure food banks continue to be well
7th Communibus - Portland Bill stocked, form groups to act together, pray for one another.
Prayer and worship are at the heart of church life. Private prayer has always been
7th FG: Irene Hickson: Chelsea Gold a core practice. Encourage people to make space for it personally and as a
household. Use Morning and Evening Prayer if you want to be connected with the
8th AL: A speaker from Natural England prayer of the wider Church community. Read the scriptures and hold people and
events before God and say the Lord’s Prayer. We might also learn to pray with
16th Salt and Pepper Club others on the phone, in chat groups and the like. Remember especially our health
care workers, the government and those making decisions about our common
life.
22nd Communibus - New Forest Lavender
Church buildings can stay open for private prayer and in some communities it
might be possible to advertise when someone can be there for those who want to
August talk in what are often large spaces where ‘social distancing’ is easy. If you do this,
take care about washing and cleaning. Our churches continue to be good
11th Communibus - Groves Nursery and West Bay
places to pray in at the heart of every community. Work cooperatively even when
it is not possible to do things by being physically together. We need one another,
12th AL: Home Grown Entertainments, bring a pencil and a poem particularly in difficult times when we are learning to do the normal abnormally.
20th Salt and Pepper Club Bishop Nicholas

25th Communibus - Sidmouth

66 3