A Letter from Chair of District 

Dear friends,
I am aware of the anxiety around as we step into 2021.  This morning we woke up in Tier 4 of Covid restrictions and the news that deaths are now over 70,000 since the pandemic started, plus daily figures were over 50,000 Covid cases and over 900 deaths.  Most of the Chester and Stoke Methodist District are also now in Tier 4.  We have therefore received the letter below from our District Chair, Helen Kirk, urging us to stay safe and encouraging us - please have a read.  I will be sending a Circuit letter next week. 
My thoughts and prayers are with you all and I wish you all a Happy New Year. 
God bless from Rev Linda.
 
From the Chair of District, Rev Helen R Kirk
Dear Friends
‘Grace and Peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.’
On 31 December, most of the Chester and Stoke-on-Trent Methodist District entered Tier 4 restrictions for Covid-19. Although the Government is still allowing places of worship to remain open, the Methodist Church I believe, must act in all ways to safeguard our communities, our congregations and protect the most vulnerable among us. The phrase, 'just because we can does not mean we should’ comes to mind.
Therefore, although within the Methodist Church authority for such decisions lies with local trustees, I would strongly urge churches to close their buildings for worship during this time when the pandemic is at its worst.
We have just celebrated Christmas and although we have perhaps not managed to share in all the usual traditions of the festival we will have reflected on the name of ‘Immanuel, God with us’ and the way in which God is incarnate in our lives and in our world. As Christians, we are called to be an incarnational people; to be the bearers of Christ presence beyond the wood and stone of our buildings. You have done this magnificently through online worship, by posting newsletters and prayers, making telephone calls, offering creative community engagement and by meeting the needs of those in most need. Thank you.
It has been an incredibly difficult nine months, but the church has never been closed.
The news of vaccines has raised our hopes that 2021 will allow ‘normal’ life to gradually resume; however the next few weeks will be challenging for all. Please do all that you can to stay safe, respect the needs of those who are vulnerable and most of all continue to have faith in the One who promises to be with us even to the end of the age.
Every blessing
Helen