Good morning
 
This week we remember those who have died in two World Wars, and all who have died in conflict since. We also remember those who are casualties in this conflict we face against a very different kind of enemy: all who have died from Covid-19; all who mourn their passing; those who have life-limiting conditions as a result of contracting the virus. 

This prayer encourages to keep on loving our neighbour at such a time:

Lord Jesus Christ, 
you taught us to love our neighbour, 
and to care for those in need as if we were caring for you. 
In times of anxiety, give us strength to comfort the fearful, 
to tend the sick, and to assure the isolated of our love, and your love, 
for your name’s sake. Amen.


The Archbishops of Canterbury and York wrote to clergy this week encouraging us to make this month a national month of prayer. On Thursdays we are encouraged to fast and to pray as we bring to God those who are going to be worst affected by this lockdown; also to dedicate the time of 6 o’clock on Thursday evenings as a time for us to pray together. Some resources have been provided for this which you will find in this mailing.

As with praying, we fast as we can and not as we can’t. I would encourage you to fast in a way that you feel you can manage, and to set aside a little time each day to remember in prayer those who will struggle the most in this second lockdown. 

This week we are having another virtual zoom. You can sign in from 10.30 and we will live stream the act of remembrance at 10.55am at the War Memorial so we can keep the two minute’s silence at 11am.

As we enter a second national lockdown we remain hopeful because God the source of our hope travels with us – before us, behind us, within us:

May God go before you to guide you, 
may God stand behind you to give you strength,
and may God shine in your faces
and in your lives to bear the Gospel of hope. Amen.


Tom 

Virtual Service 8 November