Dear Friends,
We are writing to invite you to become part of something new in our churches. We have been praying and discussing the best way to see church survive the winter under lockdown. In fact we hope we will not just survive but thrive and grow - it could be an exciting winter!
Lockdown has, so far, been almost endurable with the help of a glorious summer, but we all know that winter is approaching, which will put a new slant on what life will be like. Who knows what further or different restrictions may follow during this season? We may even see face-to-face services being stopped once more.
Our question of God was, how can we structure ourselves to best combat the uncertainties and restrictions, yet still meet together in the Lord's name? "Where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them." Is Christ's promise to us - what a wonderfully enduring promise! From there we went to Acts 2 - the story of the birth of the church - where they met with glad and sincere hearts, in each other's homes, sharing, praying and devoting themselves to God. We feel he has inspired us to look in the direction of small groups.
A name that came to mind for these small groups is POD. The imagery is helpful too. Pods hold seeds that speak of new life and growth - as well as connection into something larger. Thinking mechanically, a pod can also be a place of safety and protection. But we also think of a pod of whales, suggesting extended family journeying together through rough seas. Of course, a three-letter word lends itself to an acronym too... People of Devotion? People on Discipleship? Can you think of something better?
The Basic Idea
Groups would be made up of four people. You would commit to meet togther once a week for 30-45 minutes. You could meet together in any way the group agrees on. It could be in a garden, a home, a café, via Zoom (or any other) or by phone, in fact there are many ways for a group of this size to meet together at the moment. Your group would be all the same gender but may not all be the same age or from the same place.
You will meet for a purpose
Whatever you decide to do together and however you do it, you should be asking each other these questions:
1. How are you doing - have you got all you need?
2. What are you praying for this week?
3. How have you seen God at work this week? What are you thankful for?
4. Have you read anything in the Bible that has spoken to you?
Nobody likes being put on the spot, so a legitimate answer to these questions could be "pass!" But what a great chance to be thinking, during the week, of how you could answer these questions. Each group will have someone who will facilitate your meeting together and perhaps kick-off the questions. Nobody's in charge and nobody has the final say, but everyone gets to contribute.
Rule of Six
That's the current limit for groups meeting together, we know about that. So think and pray together about who you could invite to your group to grow it to that limit of six. That's not a requirement - some groups may stay at just four - but feel free to ‘add to your number' if you want.
Are you in?
If you are interested in joining us in POD church you will need to say. Let us know by emailing us and sending these details: your name, contact number and preferred way in which you'd like to meet. (in person, online, phone) We look forward to welcoming you into an exciting venture together as we continue to meet in God's name throughout the winter.
Email us here:
or click here to tell us your details: Form
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.
Late September...
The latest restrictions responding to the increased rate of infections do not seem to affect church services. So we will continue, for the time being, with our current practice and schedule - which will probably see us through until Christmas, see below.
As the numbers for our face-to-face services remain high, can you please let us know if you plan coming to any particular service to help us better manage seating and distancing - see below how to do this.
We will continue to produce a weekly online service, hopefully taken in large part from recordings of the live services, so no-one will miss out.
Sunday Services in October onwards
Sunday 25th October - Cottesmore Church
Sunday 1st November - Greetham Church Communion Service
Sunday 8th November Remembrance. Services in various of the churches, please refer to the local context.
Cottesmore - Rogues Lane 10.45. Greetham - 9.30. Also Stretton and Clipsham. Exton act of Remembrance on 11th
Sunday 15th November - Greetham Church
Sunday 22nd November - Cottesmore Church
Sunday 29th November - Greetham Church
Unless otherwise indicated, all these services will start at 9.30am. Please bring and wear suitable facial covering.
To tell us you are coming either
Tel/Txt: 07434 664316 or
Email: CottesmoreBenefice.Office@gmail.com
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.
Unite714: Join with the world in Prayer
https://www.24-7prayer.com/unite714
This is an exciting opportunity to join our voices with our fellow Christians across the world and to do exactly what God asks us to do if we are to claim His promises to us.
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
God bless
Cathy
Regular Reflection
Dear friends
As we try to navigate shifting guidelines and what is being called 'the new normal', we can be reassured by the unchanging nature of God described by James (1:17):
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
Life around us may be full of 'shifting shadows' but God, our Father, never changes in His deep love for each one of us and in His faithfulness. May we all rest in that love and faithfulness today.
Love Cathy
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Dear friends,
Don't forget to join us in prayer together each Thursday. Eight o'clock prayer - if you can't make it at 8am then go for 8pm. Of course you could always pray twice!
We also have an online Prayer Watch that happens every Tuesday at Noon via Zoom. You are very welcome to join us - to do so contact us at CottesmoreBenefice.Office@gmail.com to receive the link.
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Urgent Prayer Need
and also a chance to take action...
This is a request from the Tearfund humanitarian team for the people of Yemen.For details, click Yemen. For a possible letter to your MP click Letter.
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Click to open our most recent PrayerCal 2020c.
(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.
Our Sunday Service for 25th October.
Also - did you know you can listen to our weekly service on the phone? Tel: (01572) 497000
An excerpt from the Communion Service if you'd like to celebrate the Lord's Supper.
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Links to the Charities mentioned in this week's service
Christian Aid Coronavirus Emergency Appeal
Christians Against Poverty and their special Kick Start project
The Lodge Trust and Tel: 767234
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Tearfund Big Quiz night
Raising money to help some of the world's poorest countries.
Saturday 14th November at 7.30 pm. Online, using Zoom.For details click Big Quiz flyer.
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The Prayer Room
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.
We are currently on A Journey with Jesus.
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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!
