Covid-19 

Dear Friends,
Time marches on and we are now in August and many of you may have been planning holidays in warmer climates but sadly this is not to be at the moment.
This week has been challenging in terms of Coronavirus with last minute halting of the lifting of some restrictions due to a significant number of new infections in some areas. This sadly demonstrates that the virus has not gone away. We need to ensure we follow all the guidance in terms of handwashing, use of masks where required and importantly the ongoing maintenance of social distancing. Hopefully over the next couple of weeks the number of new infections will again reduce and a further easing of the lockdown measures can continue.
As always please hold all those affected by Coronavirus and their families in your prayers, along with others who are delivering care to them and those who continue to deliver essential services to us all.
Tomorrow is the farewell services of the Rev Ian Cotes who is retiring and moving to Coventry. His farewell service takes place outdoors at Broadway in the afternoon by invitation only due to the restriction of numbers imposed by social distancing. Please do pray for good weather. Hopefully the service will be available to access live using the wonders of technology and you could access this at 3.00pm. It will be shown on the Stoke South Circuit’s YouTube channel which you can find by clicking the link here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBhbVptj0forVkUfmmsvd_w
or just click here.
We wish Ian well and thank him for his ministry in the Circuit. He will be replaced by Rev Pam Roberts who commences in the Circuit in early September.
A number of people from the Circuit were planning to travel this month to see the passion play in Oberammergau with Rev Stuart Hickerman. This sadly has been postponed and rescheduled for 2022. Some additional places are available and if you are interested please see the notice in the Good News sheet.
This week as we reflect on our New Testament reading from the Lectionary it is taken from Matthew’s gospel and is the very familiar story of Jesus feeding the Five Thousand. Aside from the account of the resurrection, this story is the only miracle recorded in all four gospels. This demonstrates how significant this miracle was. In the account in Matthew he specifies five thousand men were fed, besides women and children indicating the numbers present and fed would have been significantly more. Jesus’ disciples had wanted to send the people away because evening was approaching and they were in a remote place. Jesus had a different idea and instead offered them food. Jesus called for the five loaves of bread and two fish, gave thanks for the meal and then used the disciples to distribute the food to the crowd. All those present were fed and Jesus provided until they had all ate and were satisfied. Indeed in Mark’s account he recalls significant food left over. This reminds us that “Little is much when God is in it” God will use ordinary things and people to create extraordinary outcomes, as long as we trust in him.
Jesus did not feed the crowd directly, instead he tasked his disciples to do so, meaning that they themselves had to trust in the Lord for all they distributed. They could only give because they themselves had received. Perhaps this miracle reminds us of the compassion of Jesus for those hungry and in need, not only with the provision of food but in extending and demonstrating the kingdom of God. It is also a call for action; we can practically and spiritually feed others. Unlike some shops, the Foodbank remains open and the demands are greater than ever. The donation of small gifts of food or money make a huge difference to those in our community who are in need and hungry.  Jacqueline and Alan would be happy to receive these donations and continue to take items to the distribution warehouse weekly. Your donations are welcome to support those in need. As well as the practical act of giving food, it also shows the kindness, love and compassion that Jesus shows his followers.
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. Please do pray for those in need and hungry for both food and spiritual care. You may want to use this prayer developed by Methodist charity All we Can.
Loving and compassionate Jesus,
Help us to respond to the things our eyes perceive.
Help us to tend to the people in this world who are in need.
Help us be generous with our resources, words and time.
Help us to follow as you lead and guide.
Amen
 
Please pray for those on our prayer list.  
Barry, Linda and family.
Ashley, Debbie and family.
Frank & Barbara
Margaret W
Jane
Ken & Pat
Rev Alec
Don
Margaret B
Alan
Doreen
Pat
Danni
Beaulah
Alan & Heather
Linda and family
Pauline, Jay, Maria & Eddie
Brenda
If you would like to join the Sunday Morning Service by Zoom at 11.00am
Join Zoom Meeting – just click on the link (from 10.45am) and you’ll be placed in a waiting area until the host lets you in. This is a safeguarding measure.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4775422768?pwd=ZDB3UXhyZmtJVFhqNXlLbEZhd3gvZz09
or just click here.
Meeting ID: 477 542 2768
Password: 909013
Dial by your location
0203 481 5240
0203 901 7895
0131 460 1196
0203 051 2874
0203 481 5237
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 as 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 #
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