September 2020 Letter from our Superintendent Minister, Rev. Adam Wells
Dear Friends,
I wonder how you feel about returning to our Church buildings to share in worship
together?
I know that, for very understandable reasons, some are reluctant to go to a communal
event such as a worship service. Others are champing at the bit and long to be physically
in the same space as other sisters and brothers in Christ, even in a socially distanced way.
The issue of singing is important for a number of people. The worship will certainly be
different!
Apart from the person leading the worship at any time, as reader, minister or notice giver
we will all be wearing face coverings that we have brought with us from home. This is not
just about obeying the injunctions that come from the Government, it is also about our
practical caring and watching over each other in love by reducing as far as we can the risk
of spreading Covid-19. There will be no congregational singing and the services are required
to be shorter at 30 to 45 minutes. After worship we will leave the building rather than staying
for an extended conversation or refreshments. All of the above can sound quite negative so please read on.
I venture to suggest that this time of worship during the Covid-19 pandemic will give us the opportunity to explore aspects of worship that maybe we do not always give as much attention
to as we could. We will be able to spend more time listening; to the words of a hymn that is
being played, or the words of a Psalm recited gently, or perhaps to the sound of silence in
which we may get a glimpse of what God is saying to us. We may get time to use more of our quiet imagination when we engage with the Scriptures. All of these are positive and enriching
of ourselves and our relationship with God.
I am looking forward to leading worship in church once more, I hope to see as many of you
as feel able when we gather together. For service details please see the Circuit Plan.
Best wishes and prayers,
Adam