We will be opening the church building for private prayer this Sunday June 28th at 3pm for an hour. We have thought very carefully about how to manage this as safely as possible and a separate letter will be sent out giving details. Please be aware that the number of people we can accommodate is extremely restricted.

Open for Private Prayer - It was lovely to welcome a few more people for private prayer last week in small numbers that felt we could operate safely. We will be opening the Church building and woodland again this Sunday from 3-4pm and hope to give priority to those who have not been before. Therefore, can I ask that if you came last week and would like to come again, please come prepared to use the woodland in the first instance.

Thank you to those who responded to the survey. Overall, there was a very positive response to the online services we have been able to do and I’m grateful for your encouragement and support. I still need to phone a few more people and will then discuss the responses with standing committee before reporting back to you all in my letter next week.

Adele considers the unknown's of our current plans, as a society can we build back better with the deeper changes we have been discussing over recent weeks and what does church look like in the future?

As we continue to navigate the strange times, I wanted to give you another update on how St Mary’s finances are going. Firstly, thanks to all who continue to support us with your generous giving, and a special thanks to those who have recently started to give online or by bank standing order. This makes it so much easier for our hard-working administrators. If you normally give cash via envelope or plate, would you please prayerfully consider changing to use one of these means.

As I have said before, we continue to experience a reduced income, from plate collections, envelopes, Chapter House lettings and wedding income. A survey from the diocese shows that we are not alone in this. We are fortunate in having sufficient reserves to fill the gap for this year. Assuming that these unusual conditions will continue for some time, we will need to consider how we balance the books going forward. Let us all pray that God will supply all our needs, as He has promised to do.

Adele encourages us to ‘stay still’ – enjoy some rest and the opportunity to ‘waste time with God’ and rest in Jesus. Such time is never really wasted, it strengthens our faith and gives room for God so that we are better ready to follow when the time comes to move on.

“O rest in the Lord, wait patiently for him, and he will give you your heart’s desire.” from Psalm 37

Church is open for private prayer on Sunday afternoons between 3 and 4pm for the foreseeable future. The sessions will be carefully managed based on Church of England and Government guidelines. Face coverings are required now please.

Sadly, Ann will be resigning as Parish Administrator by the end of December. I want to say a big thank you to Ann for all that she does and for the wonderful support she offers me. Please pray for Ann and Andy and for the new opportunities that lie ahead, and for wise decisions for us at St Mary’s as we begin to consider options for the future. Adele.

Adele's letter reiterates being still and goes on to consider our 'inward' relationship with God, one another and the world.

“Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.”
2 Corinthians 13 v11

Bishop Guli talks about the increased levels of anxiety and tiredness she is seeing as the pandemic is continuing for much longer than we may have thought at the outset. This short video outlines three main points - be gentle with yourself; remain faithful in prayer; and embrace uncertainty.

As the Body of Christ we are called to look outwards to share the good news of Jesus even though that is challenging in current times.

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. There is no law against such things.”
Galatians 5 vv 22-23

We are looking at how we are connected as Church across time and place with the saints who went before and those that are yet to come.
"And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith." Hebrews 12 vv 1-2

So more people can be included Matt Lax has kindly offered to update and extend the video for St Marys and full details can found in Adele's letter of 26th July.
He has set up a dropbox https://www.dropbox.com/request/rUlEKYtQbCne1QNmn2pd
which you can add to at any time and by 25 August at the latest.

As God's people we are all blessed with some superpowers but how will we use them? God can use the ordinary situations and people in extraordinary ways as we have seen throughout the pandemic.

My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
(2 Corinthians 12 v9 The Message and ESV mixed)

The letter is written by our Church Wardens Ian and Katherine this week whilst Adele takes a well deserved rest. The story of Ruth encourages us to make kindness our super power and to see how we are blessed by God in return.
The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge! Ruth 2 v12

A timely reminder to keep pressing on to aim for our goals as God has wonderful promises in store.
"So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised." Hebrews 10 vv 35-36

Leicestershire Historic Churches Trust grants aid to historic churches and chapels of all Christian denominations for repairs, restoration and some community facilities and the main fund raising is the annual sponsored Ride + Stride event.
St Marys will be open from 10am to 4pm so please contact John on 01509 557651 if you are able to help steward at the Church - full details in Adele's letter of 30th August.

Matt Lax is keen to have as many voices as possible to make a congregational sound for St Marys - if you didn't receive the original email please contact him on mail@matlax.co.uk as soon as possible

We begin our next sermon series on Creation with a particular focus provided by Ruth Valerio and the World Council of Churches on bringing freedom and rest for the earth and addressing injustice and inequality
"The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it." John 1 vv 4-5 (New Living Translation)

Bishops Martyn and Guli are exploring how God is reshaping us and the diocesan family of communities now and for the future - all our thoughts and ideas are requested using the link in Adele's letter 13th September.

“Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you. You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them.” Psalm 89:8-9

The new rules are a challenge to us all - maybe we could all think about which 6 we might apply to ourselves such as pray, eat, sleep, get outdoors, laugh and do something kind?
" Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.." Hebrews 4:16

Even at night when worries can magnify be calmed by knowing God's hand is holding us firm as we enter through Autumn and the shortening days.

“ When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars you set in place - what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?” Psalm 8: 3-4

As we recognise God's generosity and grace, through observing creation, let us respond in the same spirit with our time, money and relationships towards one another.
"Look at the birds in the sky! They don't plant or harvest. They don't even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them." Matthew 6:26

St Mary’s is open for a short service of Communion (30 minutes) on Sunday mornings at 9.30am and 10.30am. If you would like to attend, please pre-book your place by contacting the Parish Office – admin@stmaryincharnwood.org.uk or call 07901 581716 before midday on the Thursday before the Sunday you wish to attend. Places are limited and COVID restrictions will be in place. On booking, you will receive an email detailing the regulations for attending for the safety of all. The online service will continue as previously.

Evening Worship on Zoom is now established. It is at 6pm and lasts around half an hour including prayer, Bible readings and the opportunity to discuss together. At the end of the service there is time to stay on and chat for a while for those who would like to.