Covid-19 

Dear Friends
Another week has passed  in our lockdown, but this makes us a week closer to the end when we can join together again with our friends  and family. You will have heard the good news that the peak of the epidemic has passed and that we are making progress together towards better times. I am sure that many of us are having ups and downs during this period of isolation but I hope and pray that you are keeping positive and staying safe.
It has been lovely to receive messages and emails from many of you and I am  pleased to learn that our weekly greeting is providing hope and comfort to you and helping you stay connected with your church friends.
This week has seen the 100th  birthday of Captain (now Hon Colonel) Tom and I know he has warmed the heart of the nation with his magnificent fundraising efforts for the NHS. It was pleasing to see the wonderful tributes, cards and Battle of Britain fly past to mark his special day. He has certainly played his part in many ways.
On a smaller scale this week I was delighted, when at work to greet a teacher from a local school who had arrived with wonderful gifts of toiletries and hand cream for NHS staff. Whilst the gifts were most generous and lovely gestures from children and their families, what was more heart-warming was the personal handwritten notes from the children who wanted to send a special thank you and to send their love and  hugs to those caring for others. This is a wonderful reminder that simple gifts, messages and thoughts for others make a such difference. The thought and kindness from strangers is special  and reminds us that in  fact -  strangers  are  just friends we have not yet met.
 Sadly this week I joined a number of colleagues to observe the minutes silence as we remembered over 100 front line health and social care workers who have lost their lives through Coronavirus whilst striving to help others. Please continue to hold them and their families in your prayers and remember all those who work daily to provide essential services, that we perhaps sometimes take for granted.
 During the week I came across a poem that is making its rounds on social media.
It is written by Laura Kelly Fanucci from Minnesota. She is a skilled writer who publishes a  regular  column “Faith at Home” in Catholic newspapers. The poem does not specifically mention Coronavirus but I found it though provoking and moving so thought I would share it with you.
“When this is over, may we never again take for granted
A handshake with a stranger,
Full shelves at the store,
Conversations with neighbours,
A crowded theatre,
Friday night out.
The taste of Communion,
A routine check-up,
The school rush each morning,
Coffee with a friend,
The stadium  roaring,
Each deep breath,
A boring Tuesday,
Life itself.
When this ends
May we find
That we have become
More like the  people
We wanted to be,
We were called to be
We hoped to be.
And may we stay
That way – better
For each other
Because of the worst”
 I hope that you are able to continue to join us in daily prayer at 6pm so that we can connect  together as a Church – please do this wherever you are.
Sadly this week we have learned of the death of one of our Church friends Ruth Hartley who is now promoted to glory with her Lord. Please remember Ruth and her family in your prayers at this time. As you pray this week please hold our friends on the prayer list  in your thoughts and prayers  :
Frank & Barbara
Rosemary
Ken & Pat
Rev Alec
Don
Margaret
Ruth
Alan
Doreen
Pat
Danni
With this message  as always you will find a short act of worship  that you can  use  to  guide your thoughts and prayers and  stay connected with the wider Methodist church. You  are also very welcome to join either a  telephone or internet  act  of worship each  Sunday.
If you want to join the telephone Church service you can do so at 10am by calling the number below and using the codes  as shown.
Dial: 0333 0110 946
When asked enter the
Room number: 47927697 #
When asked enter the
Guest PIN: 1145 #
If you are able why not join the on line zoom service at 11.00am where you will have the opportunity to join with many friends from Trentham and from across the Circuit.
The link for this is
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84348290043?pwd=QkFMaVJzUHczbkdTL3R1ZkplZ0t3UT09
or simply click here.
Meeting ID: 843 4829 0043 #
Password: 003209
Instead of joining this via Zoom you can also call into this service at 11.00am using one of the numbers below – the meeting ID and Password is the same as for the zoom on line service as shown above. Dial one of these numbers:
0203 051 2874
0203 481 5237
0203 481 5240
0131 460 1196
You can find reflections and biblical stories on our circuit you tube channel including  new material added weekly from Rev Linda at
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBhbVptj0forVkUfmmsvd_w
or simply click here.
I hope these resources are helpful to you. Please continue to stay safe and know that you are surrounded by the love and prayers of your Church family.
With every blessing
Ian