Covid19 virus

Life is suddenly very different. Yesterday we asked all Synod Office staff to work remotely and I sent out a letter to all local churches in the SW Synod recommending the closure of church buildings for hirings, to protect the public, and that church communities should think hard about whether to gather for worship. Most are now closing their doors. We don't know for how long and we don't really know what church life will look like when this is over.
Instead of posting sermons here (which Ive been really bad at lately anyway!) I have decided to post some thoughts about theology and church as the situation in the UK changes and evolves.
I begin by posting the close of my letter to churches in the South Western Synod:

"Being a church is about more than just gathering for Sunday worship.
We can continue to pray together: you might like to join me in prayer each evening at 19.00 to pray for all those affected by Corvid 19; there will be news of ‘streamed’ service coming from the central URC very soon; the Daily Devotions from the URC are valued by many; and we all have our Bibles at home to read, reflect and pray.
Local churches will also be an important source of support for one another – please think about how the most vulnerable can be supported, emotionally and practically.
We can face uncertainty with faith. The people of God in the Hebrew Scriptures found their existence as God’s own people tested but ultimately reinforced by their time in the wilderness. God’s love and care is as sure for us as it was for them – we may not see the “fire and cloudy pillar” but we sing of it (in the hymn “Guide me oh thou great Redeemer”). Jesus has promised “I will be with you always” and although we may have to celebrate Easter in our homes, the truth of the resurrection of Jesus from death is undiminished by whatever we may live through. I offer this prayer for the days to come -

May God the Father hold you safe in arms of love
May Christ the risen Lord shine in your homes
And may the Holy Spirit be with you as comforter and strength. Amen.

Yours in Christ,


Ruth"

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Spring IS coming!

I love to dip into Revgalblogpals, and though I don't usually 'play' at the Friday five questions, I thought that with no sermon to do I would, for a change: Sally writes: Candlemass is past, and Christmas is well and truly over, here in the UK February looks set to be its usual grey and cold self. Signs of spring are yet to emerge; if like me you long for them perhaps you need ways to get through these long dark days. So lets share a few tips for a cold and rainy/ snowy day.... 1. Exercise, what do you do if you can't face getting out into the cold and damp? I do find it therapeutic to clean the house vigourously - but if you could see the dust you'd know I don't often get round to it! I also make a point of always running, rather than walking, upstairs - something my mum always did until her stroke. 2. Food; time to comfort eat, or time to prepare your body for the coming spring/summer? I try to eat healthily, but my body craves carbohydrate. 3. Brainpower; do...
Read more

Epiphany 2: Nathanael... & Jacob

Genesis 28: 10-22 (not the lectionary reading!); John 1: 43-51 I love the Sundays of Epiphany – starting with the visit of the Magi (which we celebrated last week) and then moving on to other stories of God’s presence on earth being revealed to people. I think what I most love is the idea that we don’t just pack away the Christmas decorations and forget about God’s love being incarnate in Jesus, but we allow the story of Jesus’ coming to earth to open our eyes to other ways in which God’s love is present to us.   What can be better to start the new year than a series of reminders that God is with us and that we can expect to meet with God in 2024.   Today we heard two very related Biblical stories of God’s presence.   The first is the vision given to Jacob, when he saw angels going up and down a ladder between earth and heaven.    You might think that Jacob is a specially holy person to be given this vision: nothing could be further from the truth. Jacob is the ...
Read more

Judging.

Amos 7: 7-15;   Mark 6: 14-29 To be honest, I’ve had a bit of a hectic week since returning from URC General Assembly late on Monday night; involving a church path, a funeral, 2 more funerals to organize, and many more things you don’t need to know about. What I really needed was a break after Assembly – which was hard work and faced the URC with some tough choices about budget cuts and how to find God’s way forward. Of course the general Synod of the Church of England was no picnic, either – and I know Methodist Conference had a hairy time, too. I’m left feeling that Church politics is bad for your health. And anyway, the Gospel reading seems a bit gory and unnecessary and I’m tired and ready for a holiday. So I was all ready to preach about Amos and plumblines & how God helps us to sort our lives out by showing us what is good and true and straight. In any case I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels uncomfortable with the idea of a God who judges you – or will ...
Read more