This is where you will be able to find our plans for re-opening our church buildings as the country juggles with lockdown. This is a tricky process to negotiate, but we have people's health and safety as top priority. Please follow our protocols to keep yourself and others safe.
A new horizon - Autumn 2021
The country is out of lockdown and all compulsory restrictions on meeting and movement have been removed. But this has not removed the worry that many still feel in the face of potential infection.
We'd like to see everyone return to church if they feel able to, and we'd like all to feel safe in returning to face-to-face services. So we would ask all who come to services to be prepared to where masks and socially distance as they are asked to. There will always be space for people to sit socially distanced and everyone has the choice to where a mask if that's what helps them feel safe. Hand cleanser is still available too.
Online Services
Come the beginning of September we are enjoying a full schedule of Sunday services in all the churches, except Stretton who are still completing their refurbishment. This means that there's just not the manpower or time to be able to continue producing the services that we had during lockdown for those to watch at home. It's a gentle reminder to us all that, as smaller rural parishes, we can't do everything that the larger churches can. But church services continue... in the churches. Please think carefully about coming along and sharing fellowship with us as we seek to look towards the future.
Usual Sunday services happen at these times:
Cottesmore - every Sunday at 9.30am, Holy Communion on third Sundays
Greetham - every Sunday at 9.30am, Holy Communion on fourth Sundays
Exton - second and fourth Sundays at 11.15am. Holy Communion on fourth Sundays
Clipsham - second and fourth Sundays at 11.15am. Holy Communion on second Sundays
When they re-open
Stretton - first and third Sundays at 11.15am. Holy Communion on third Sundays
Dear Friends,
We saw wonderful success in our Winter Support Groups over the winter. Some have stopped, some are continuing - meeting in person and online.
Meanwhile, if you would like to join a small group that meets together for fellowship and mutual support as well as bible study and prayer, do contact the benefice office to ask.
You might be thinking about taking the chance to read the Bible more or regularly. Here are some links to places that provide daily readings that you can use.
Benefice Prayer Calendar
Click to open our most recent PrayerCal 2022a. (pdf file, ready to print onto A4)
In our Benefice we take safeguarding children and vulnerable adults very seriously.
Click to view our Safeguarding Policy and who you can Contact.
Sadly, we are not able to continue our online weekly services. But have a look on our YouTube Channel where you will find our past online services and other videos.
The Church of England are still producing weekly services you can watch - the link is here: ChurchofEngland
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Links to Charities mentioned in our services
Christian Aid Coronavirus Emergency Appeal
Christians Against Poverty and their special Kick Start project
The Lodge Trust and Tel: 767234
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Rev Rhona Knight from Oakham, whom some of you will know, is producing some thoughtful and creative prayer activities that she's sharing with us. To take a look at all the activities there are - click on the picture and choose a day.
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A Superb Online Game for Children!
The Guardians of Ancora is a game developed by Scripture Union and is both Biblically based as well as safe for children to play.
You can play it through the web or via a number of different apps available for phones and other mobile devices. Just search online for it and have fun!
