An update on our response to the Coronavirus epidemic

Dear Friends,

At a recent online meeting for those leading the church during the lockdown period, it was suggested it is time we updated our letter on the website about closing our services. Time has gone by and the situation has moved on so it is good to record where we are now and indicate what we can about future plans. For the interim we will continue to put the Sunday service on the website each week, provide a bible-study both on the website and as a document, and send out a weekly letter.

FIRSTLY: NO CHANGE IN REGARDS WHAT WE KNOW OF THE FUTURE

We don’t have a date or clear instructions regarding the lockdown restrictions on worship being lifted. God willing we hope to recommence meeting in July. Once we have a date and instructions we will put a statement on the website and circulate you all about what we will be doing. We will organise so that those worshipping with us are as safe as possible. We know that not everyone will be able to recommence worshipping with us at that point so we will also give details of the improved provision we are hoping to put in place for those not able to be with us.

SECONDLY: A LOT OF THANK-YOUS TO SHARE

I want to express our gratitude to those who are keeping in touch with members of the congregation by phone call or text or whatever means has worked out best. We are also very grateful to those who have provided food and burnt CDs and delivered CDs, DVDs, books and letters in order to support others during lockdown. We hope these services we are seeking to provide are running smoothly and no-one is missing out. Let us know if it isn’t working well for you and we will try to sort things out. If you are not on our circulation list and would like to be please let me know and we will be glad to include you.

THIRDLY: CHECKING UP ON ONGOING NEEDS

Isolation is difficult because of shopping, prescriptions and other needs. If you need practical help let us know - we want to help. We are also conscious that we are not designed by God with a view to prolonged isolation and so psychologically and spiritually everyone will struggle and some of us will find it particularly difficult and wearing. If we can help either by phone or online or even by a socially-distanced visit these are things we are very willing to undertake – don’t hesitate to be in touch with us.

FOURTHLY: HELPFUL CONSIDERATIONS AT THIS TIME

At our meeting this morning our thoughts were turned to Romans 8: 28 – 39 which emphasize God’s absolute control of all things and that our confidence in him rests on his sovereignty and his love for us (verse 32), ‘He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not along with him graciously give us all things?’ If he has already done the greater thing, giving his Son to secure our eternal salvation, we know he will supply our needs of grace and help during this coronavirus crisis, and indeed in any other crises we may face in our lifetime.

Yours in Christian Fellowship,

Mike Plant (25 th May 2020)