The light shines in the darkness  

Although at one level, we were expecting a January lockdown, nonetheless, yesterday evening's announcement will have been a shock to many of us.

Unlike during the previous lockdowns, you may have heard that places of worship are allowed to remain open. However, the Bishop has made it very clear that the leadership of each church should make their own decision about whether it is safe and appropriate, in their context, to offer public worship.

There are a number of factors to take into consideration, and the safety of our staff, volunteers and congregations is paramount. In that light, the senior leadership team of the church have made the decision not to open for public worship this Sunday, to allow us to take the time to make an informed and considered decision about what to do in the coming weeks. It is already clear that we will not be able to offer Earth Church or Toddler Church under the current restrictions. 

We will, as we have since March, continue to offer live streamed morning prayer at 9am every day, and a live streamed service of Holy Communion every Sunday at 10am which you can find on our Facebook page or here on our website. So while we cannot gather in person, we can still gather in prayer and worship.

This new lockdown will be challenging, at a practical and emotional level, for many if not all of us. If there is anything our church community can do to support you, please do contact your ContacTree caller, or the Parish Office on 03301 594919, or me on kat.campion-spall@stmaryredcliffe.co.uk

In these difficult times, the words of John's gospel speak to us even more profoundly: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.  My prayer for you is that you will see glimpses of that divine light in the darkness, and that it will give you the hope you need to see you through to better times. God be with you.



Every blessing,

Kat

The Rev'd Kat Campion-Spall
Associate Vicar, St Mary Redcliffe Church