Covid-19 

Dear Friends,
I hope that you all remain safe and well during this time.
We continue to make steady progress in the fight against Coronavirus. Each week we see further glimmers of hope and a gradual release of the lock down measures. Sadly the virus remains but the numbers affected are reducing and we are all grateful for this and for all those who are working so hard to keep us safe at this time. You may have heard that Churches will be open for private prayer but the Methodist Church will be exploring this further at the forthcoming Methodist Conference. This week the Church Stewards have considered the Methodist Church guidance on Reopening our Church buildings and this gives us lots of points to consider. It is really important that we plan to maintain social distance and this means a significant reduction in the number of seats in Church and reducing or stopping some of our activities. Clearly we want to return to Church as soon as it is safe to do so but we recognise that many people will be worried about this. We also want to ensure Church is inclusive and open to all and with these points in mind we have lots of work to do. We await further Government advice and direction from the Methodist Conference but at this stage it looks likely that the Church building will remain closed until September.  Our Church however is not just a building it is those who join together to Praise God and we are grateful that we can maintain our virtual Church by joining with friends remotely by phone or Zoom, and joining together through prayer as often as we can.
As we plan for the future, the Circuit has decided to undertake a review with all Churches. The review asks all those that attend the Churches in the Circuit for their views and feedback on all aspects of Church life. You will shortly receive a questionnaire about the activities at Church, asking for your thoughts. Please complete the questionnaire and give us your views. This feedback will be really important to help us plan and develop the Church and Circuit.
I hope that you have all recently received your second quiz from our Church Events team to help keep your mind active. We are very grateful to our Events Team for designing and delivering these. I understand that more exciting activities are planned for the future which will also include an opportunity to test your craft skills!
This Sunday, as many know, is Father’s Day. This is not a religious event or Church festival but does focus on the importance of Fathers in family life, and it is time to reflect on the importance of God the Father and the love and care he shows to us all as his family. We know that for some,  thinking about  fathers can be painful, as their relationship with a human father may not have been good or  possible. God is not seeking to cause us pain in this way, but seeking to offer us comfort and friendship in a personal and meaningful relationship with him. When we join together in The Lord’s Prayer we start with a personal recognition that God is Our Father not in a human way but in Heaven. As we say the words we don’t always reflect fully on the meaning. Ed Mackenzie  from The Methodist Church reminds us that  “The Lord’s Prayer has shaped the lives of Jesus’ followers ever since he first taught it to his disciples. Rooted in Jesus‘ relationship to the Father, the prayer encompasses the whole of life, inviting us to pray for God’s presence and power to change the world and to change us.” Perhaps during the week you may like to look at the Lord’s Prayer and give thanks that God is in control and brings good from evil and is the basis for hope now and in the future.
As you pray, please think of  those who are ill with Coronavirus and the families of those who have died. Please also hold in prayer all those who are delivering caring and essential services to help keep us safe. Please pray for those on our  prayer list.  
Frank & Barbara
Jane
Ken & Pat
Rev Alec
Don
Margaret
Alan
Doreen
Pat
Danni
Beaulah
Bishop Michael, Cynthia and Edward following the death of Aiden
Please do continue if you are able to pray at 6.00pm each evening and join with others from our Church so that we can unite in the power of prayer.
During June we celebrate Bible month and focus  on the Book of Ruth. Circuit Bible studies will be held on Thursday evenings at 6.50pm. If you wish to join this on Zoom, either by video or by phone please use the same Zoom link and codes as for the Sunday morning service.
If you would like to join the Sunday Morning Service by Zoom at 11.00am Join Zoom Meeting – just click on the link and you’ll be placed in a waiting area and Rev Linda will let you in. This is a safeguarding measure.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8628647498?pwd=jq8dRt2RWHQT1VY9BkR4z8nAd1nEJg
or just click here.
Meeting ID: 862 864 7498
Password: 234308
OR Dial one of the following tel no’s:
0203 481 5237
0203 481 5240
0131 460 1196
0203 051 2874
If you are dialling into the services instead of joining them via Zoom online – please use one of the phone numbers shown above and enter the same Meeting ID and Password above.
You are also very welcome to join a telephone act of worship each Sunday 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 #
The second Zoom Church Bible study meeting is on Wednesday 24 June at 7.00pm and will be hosted by Jacqueline Barton and led by Phil Jackson
* You may wait in the 'waiting room' from 6.50pm. Please bring your own 'cuppa' and bikkies!
* The meeting will last 40 minutes plus an additional short session to conclude.
Topic: Isaiah bible study
Time: Jun 24, 2020 07:00 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/77732330838?pwd=K2F6aENaVTZvUSt3WkE0KzhkZk5vdz09:
or just click here.
Meeting ID: 777 3233 0838
Password: 7y1S7U
You can find reflections and biblical stories on our Circuit youtube channel including new material added weekly from Rev Linda, Rev Jeff and others at
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBhbVptj0forVkUfmmsvd_w
or just click here. Please continue to stay safe and know that you are surrounded by the love and prayers of your Church family.
With every blessing
Ian