Saturday 21 March 2020

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we face this deepening crisis, let us continue to pray for one another and encourage one another through phone calls and messages. I am especially grateful to the pastoral care group for doing this, but we can all play our part. If you need pastoral, spiritual or practical support please do let me know.

Tomorrow is Mothering Sunday. I'm sorry that we can't distribute the chocolates we bought for the women of the church, as we usually do, but I hope we can keep them for another time. (It's good that we didn't buy flowers!) It is sad that we cannot meet to worship together, but you will find much material for Mothering Sunday on the website, here.

At this link, you will find a recording of my sermon (also attached in written form to this email), and intercessions written by Maxine (also attached in written form). You will also find YouTube versions of the hymns we would have sung, kindly produced by Art and Hector. Let us join together at 10am tomorrow as we worshp, pray and listen in our own homes.

The Church of England and other churches have encouraged us all to keep Mothering Sunday as a day of prayer, and to light a candle visibly in our window at 8pm (7pm UK time). The Arcbishops of Canterbury and York say: 'At such a time as this when so many people are fearful and there is great uncertainty, we are reminded of our dependence on our loving Heavenly Father, and the future that he holds. Therefore at 7pm (GMT) this Sunday, we invite you to light a candle in the window of your homes as a visible symbol of the light of life, Jesus Christ, our source and our hope.'

We are encouraged to do this every Sunday at 8pm.

The Protestant Churches of Switzerland are also proposing a similar initiative: to light a candle and put it visibly in our window, at 8pm every Thursday evening and to pray for those who are ill and their relatives, all those working as health workers, and all those who are lonely, isolated and anxious at this time.

There is no reason why we shouldn't do this on every Thursday and every Sunday to be in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Switzerland and across the world.

As I said in my last email, my latest Lent meditation on the Psalms (on Psalm 88) is now on the website. I read recently of a Christian doctor addressing the current crisis and one of the spiritual resources she highlighted was 'praying the Psalms'. Psalm 88 is a cry from the depths and very appropriate for this present time. You will find my talk and some notes for personal reflection here.

If you would like to join in a discussion on Psalm 88 and share your reflections, then please let me know. I am organising a zoom online session at 7.30pm on Monday evening. Please note the time has changed from my original suggestion of Monday morning as many people prefer the evening. When we know who would like to take part then we will send out the link and code to access the zoom session.

Although we cannot meet to worship together, you might like to know that worship continues in St Ursula's church as David and I celebrate the Eucharist every day to pray for all members of the church community, and all affected by this global crisis.

Bishop Robert has sent a video message of encouragement to us all and you can find it at this link.

Finally I leave you with a prayer and scripture verse.

A Prayer In the Midst of Crisis
God of all seaching and knowing,
your people Israel faced famine and wilderness,
and your church has known persecution and hardship.
Be close to all your children in this time of bewilderment and fear.
Make this time of cessation and isolation one in which
Your Spirit reveals new ways to be together,
fresh discoveries in worship, different gestures of care,
and innovative forms of compassion.
Encourage the vulnerable, comfort the impoverished,
inspire the anxious and give wisdom to those who govern.
Lift up our hearts that we may see
the abundance of what is still beautiful and true,
rather than be captivated by what is lost and absent,
and find new gifts in ourselves and in one another.
In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ,
who knew what it meant to be alone.
Amen

Cast all your cares on the Lord because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5 v7)

I will be in touch with you again soon.

With my love in Christ,

Helen