The Archbishops of Canterbury and York are now advising, in line with Government advice, that all public worship in person be paused until further notice.
We have also taken the decision to cancel all our regular events for the time being.
Your Church will continue to pray for and serve our community. We will also be continuing to Worship our Lord in new ways as the Church of England develops digital and other worship resources.
As the Archbishops say in their letter "Being a part of the Church of England is going to look very different in the days ahead. Our life is going to be less characterised by attendance at church on Sunday, and more characterised by the prayer and service we offer each day. We may not be able to pray with people in the ways that we are used to, but we can certainly pray for people. And we can certainly offer practical care and support."
The Archbishops along with their fellow church leaders have also called for a day of prayer and action this coming Sunday - Mothering Sunday (22nd March). Mothering Sunday has always been both a day of celebration for many and a sensitive and emotional day for some. Wherever you are this Sunday please do join in this day of prayer and action and remember especially those who are sick or anxious, and all involved in our Health Service. As one action, we are calling on everyone to place a lighted candle in their window at 7.00 p.m. as a sign of solidarity and hope in the light of Christ that can never be extinguished.
We will be reviewing what is possible for us to do in accordance with the letter from the Archbishops and the Government advice and will keep people up to date on the website, twitter and instagram sites.
Psalm 91 (v 1 &2) NRSV
"You who live in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress;
my God, in whom I trust.”