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Covid-19 Update
Wednesday February 10th St Eds Zoom Quiz this Friday (12th) Ash Wednesday 7.00pm on-line HC with virtual imposition of ashes Gradually discerning our ‘new normal’ Dear Friends, We are clearly approaching the time for national decisions about how and when we will emerge from this third lock-down. The Government appear to be looking for an approach that will only see restrictions lifted when there is real confidence that they will not have to be re-imposed. The PCC in Stow have just met and are minded to take the same safety-first approach to resuming services in St Edward’s. They have also given some thought as to what the best initial blend of on-line and in-church provision might be. We wish to continue to include everyone as much as possible and we want the two experiences to be complimentary with each adding to the depth of our worship. So the plan at Stow, as we emerge from lock-down, is that the 11.00am service at Stow will broadly alternate between Sunday Prayers on-line and Holy Communion in church. When we are in church, we plan to stream the service, initially in a fairly simple way, so that those who cannot get to church can still share with us each week. We will also offer a short Zoom gathering in the evening. When we are on-line at 11.00am there will be a shorter Communion Service in church at 12.00noon. In this way we intend keep the best of both worlds. Eventually, when we feel confident that the Covid-19 virus is as fully under control as it is ever going to be, we can take a longer-term view about the best future provision. The village PCCs will consider how best to continue traditional worship at 9.30am when the guidance on this becomes clear. Again, we will want to avoid any future stop-start, if possible. Whenever there are changes ahead they will be clearly signalled by a mailing like this which will point you to the relevant pages on our website. The website also has details of the St Ed’s Quiz this Friday 12th, our on-line service for Ash Wednesday and the World Day of Prayer on Zoom at 10.00am on Friday March 5th. With so much now happening on-line we have made our website easier to navigate. There are three places that you will find most helpful. 1 The latest news will be at ‘Latest Update’ https://www.scats.org.uk/latest-update/ 2 All links to services and meetings are now listed in one place under ‘ZOOM LINKS to Services and Meetings’ You will also find details of this week’s ZOOM Quiz on February 12th and the link to it on this page. https://www.scats.org.uk/zoom-links-to-services-and-meetings/ 3 Everything you might wish to download can now be found under ‘Things to Download’. This is where you will find the Sunday Service each week and the Thursday ‘Listening to God’ sheet. https://www.scats.org.uk/things-to-download/ You can also find the latest national information and other resources under Covid-19 tab on the website and use these any time. https://www.scats.org.uk/covid19-virus/ I hope this helps you find the information, links and downloads you need week by week. It is also worth visiting the ‘External Links’ section of the website where there are links to other good resources. We have just included a link to ‘Bump It Up’ which offers a way in which the increasing numbers of us who have now been vaccinated against Covid-19 can share our good fortune with health workers supporting patients in Africa. The next update will be no later than the week leading up to Sunday March 14th – Mothering Sunday With my best wishes and prayers, Martin |