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!
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.
As of 5th November...
The country is back into full lockdown. At the time of release, church services have been stopped. Personal prayer is continuing, as it was previously during lockdown.
There is a lot of talk - in national church circles - about an exemption for churches this time round. There is currently no such thing and churches cannot open for services. This might change and it will probably be down to the local church to decide what it will do.
Meanwhile do keep an eye out for our benefice-wide Chiristmas plans and continue with your POD, if you are part of one, and we shall let you know when things change.
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.
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!
Benefice Prayer Calendar
Click to open our most recent PrayerCal 2021a. (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.
See our YouTube Channel where you will find our online services and other videos.
Our Sunday Service for Sunday 25th July.
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 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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Call for a greener recovery
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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!
