Church Bulletin

Yesterday was one of those days of ‘firsts’.  It was the first time I had attended a funeral since Lockdown began in March 2020.  Not that there hadn’t been deaths of friends and relatives – just that numbers had been restricted and filled by close family.  It was the first time ever I greeted an old acquaintance with an elbow touch.  And the first time in 18 months that I shook hands with someone; each of us hesitated – but we had just been introduced to each other and it seemed the right thing to do, so we did – simultaneously admitting that this was the first hand shake we had made since pre-Covid normality.  

But the truth is we are not back to ‘normal’ yet and our handshake was probably a step too far.  Of all situations, a funeral is an occasion when we need reassurance, love and closeness and that is probably why our guard was lowered.  I noticed that there was very little social distancing in the chapel and the usual conversational grouping took place outside after the service.  It was good to remember Irene who had achieved 100 years of age before leaving us, to see people I hadn’t seen for a long time, to celebrate a life well spent and support a family who mourned their loss.  It was good to enjoy moments of ‘normality’.  May there be many more – without fear.

Irene was a lady who knew how to love.  I knew her from church – a gentle, quietly determined, and modest lady with a lovely sense of humour, who dearly loved our Lord and served Him well. She must have been a wonderful mum because her sons and their wives were so caring of her right to the end of her days. 

Love – if only we could love more. 

When asked by the Pharisees which was the greatest Commandment, Jesus responds “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it.  Love your neighbour as yourself.”  Matthew 22; 37-39

In John 15, Jesus states: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

Our world is in trouble.  Let us pray for more love:  more love for God, more love for each other and more love to replace the hate that would tear our world apart.

Lesley Lee
Reader

Church Guidelines

The PCC met on Monday 2^nd August and have agreed the following changes. These changes will start from week commencing 16^th August 2021, this allows time for preparations to be made to the church:

People are requested to:

• use the sanitiser when entering church.
• Social distance
• Use a face covering when in church.

• Singing – will now be allowed but requested to be done behind a face covering.
• Move to a 1 metre distance – therefore all pews will be open, but only 2 people (related or formally in a bubble) are allowed to sit in each pew. People will be asked to sit at the opposite end of the pew from the people in the pew in front/behind. This is to achieve the 1 metre social distance. 
• Upstairs will now be open on Sundays to increase capacity.
• If people, due to mobility or preference, wish to sit downstairs for the Sunday service you will need to contact Julie to book a place. Otherwise, the booking arrangements will be suspended, and people will be seated on a first come first served basis, utilising both the main body of the church and upstairs. The capacity of the church will be 60 people.
• People will still be encouraged to record via the track and trace app.
• We will continue with the current arrangements for sharing the peace.
• Communion – will be administered in the pews as now. We will follow the option to administer the bread only at this time. We will request that people continue to wear a face covering when receiving Communion to protect both themselves and visiting clergy.
• Coffee – will not be available after any service at this stage.
• The online service will continue to support those who are not able to return currently.
• Wednesday Service – Wednesday service at 10:00am will start again from the 18^th August.
• Life Events Weddings/Baptisms/Funerals – The church can accommodate 60 people utilising upstairs and downstairs. The number able to attend will be at the discretion of the person officiating at the service. Singing will be requested to be undertaken behind face coverings.

As you can imagine trying to get the balance right is very difficult, but we will keep the guidance under review. We will continue to take our steer from the Church of England and Public Health England guidance to make sure that we are keeping us all as safe as possible.

The church will continue to open on Thursdays and Sundays from 9am until 5pm.

Nick Tooby – Churchwarden
On behalf of the PCC

Children’s Service

Our next Children’s service will take place in church on Sunday 5th September at 10am. There is no need to book however to prepare for those who do intend to come please let Julie know if you plan to attend the service.

St Andrew’s ‘Rocks’  

This Summer we would like you to join us in designing and painting a rock on the theme ‘Why I love our Area’.

If you would like to paint a rock there will be a box outside the Church Entrance on Thursdays and Sundays throughout the Summer for you to pop your finished rocks in.

We will then display these rocks in our Rockery at the front of the Church to view and spread a little joy this Summer.

We can’t wait to see what you create!

If you have any further questions then feel free to contact our Youth Worker Emma on standrewscovyouth@gmail.com

Church Volunteers

This is a reminder that anyone who volunteers for a role at St Andrew’s, whether paid or unpaid, must be safely recruited and may also require a DBS check. St Andrew’s are proud to abide by the regulations stipulated by the diocese to ensure the safety of all as far as we possibly can. 

If you have a role, or volunteered for a role within the church and have not been safely recruited please contact either Julie Crow (Parish Administrator) or Linda Chylinksi (Parish Safeguarding Officer) immediately. The contact details are:

Parish Administrator: Julie Crow – 07756 918847 or administrator@standrews-eg.org.uk

Parish Safeguarding Officer: Linda Chylinski – 024 7646 8535 

Sidespersons Rota

We are looking to resume a sidespersons rota for Sunday services. If you are willing to do sidesperson duty please let Julie or one of the church wardens know.

Please note that each individual will need to be safely recruited for this role. We will need a very short application form completing and contact details to obtain 2 references. A DBS check will not be required for this role.

Flower Rota Coordinator

Ann Dove, having done the role for several years, is standing down as Flower Rota Coordinator. We are now looking to recruit a volunteer to take over the role. If you would like more information and a copy of the job description, please contact Julie on 07756 918847 or administrator@standrews-eg.org.uk.

Please note that you will need to be safely recruited for this role. We will need a very short application form completing and contact details to obtain 2 references. A DBS check will not be required for this role.

Book Club

The next Book Club meeting will be on Tuesday 14^th September at 7.30pm and the book we have chosen is: Who moved the Stone, by Frank Morrison.  A well-known book seller says this about the book: The classic text on examining the evidence for the Resurrection. Convinced that the story wasn’t true, Frank Morison started to write about Jesus’ last days. However, as he studied this crucial period something happened… First published in 1930, this is an exploration of what happened between the death of Jesus and the resurrection as recorded in the Bible. Writing this book changed Morison’s life.

Why not read it and join us to discuss what it says?

Any questions please contact Sue Masters.

Foodbank Donations

To donate to Central foodbank, Sue Barnes is coordinating this so please contact her to drop off food at her house. Contact Sue at susanbarnes1960@outlook.com

If you are unable to give food you can also donate online here: https://www.trusselltrust.org/rddonate-checkout/

Sunday Coffee Gathering

The access codes for the 11.15am Sunday gathering are:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88959758216?pwd=RXJ2SWdWNW5DMlhKOXJsak1GUzRCdz09

Meeting ID: 889 5975 8216
Passcode: 504896

Warwickshire Watercolourists Art Exhibition

Please see the enclosed poster for the Warwickshire Watercolourists Art Exhibition 28th – 30th August 2021 at Berkswell Reading Rooms. 10am – 5pm daily. Free Entry.

Art Exhibition Publicity 2021

Do send Julie your favourite bible verses or hymn verses, names for prayer and any birthdays, celebrations or articles for inclusion in the bulletin. Julie can be contacted on 07756 918847 or administrator@standrews-eg.org.uk

Church Contacts

Churchwardens: Nick Tooby – 07951 925772 and Becky Crowe – 07875 552518

Parish Administrator: Julie Crow – 07756 918847

Parish Safeguarding Officer and Children’s Advocate: Linda Chylinski – 024 7646 8535