Bulletin – 23rd August 2021

Church Bulletin

We all yearn for good news, don’t we, especially when there is so much that is distressing in the world?  Our news networks are bombarded with images of wild fires and floods; the earthquake in Haiti; and the awful chaos, terror and panic in Afghanistan; and the very many dedicated, selfless people who risk their own lives and strive to offer help, support and a lifeline to those in need.  It has made me ponder even more the value we place on human life.  Recently, football transfer records were broken when Manchester City paid Aston Villa £100m for Jack Grealish, a young player committed to the Villa, a club he had grown up with and which had developed his game to the point where he surely has a promising international future.  It must be very hard for a young man to turn down such an opportunity in favour of loyalty?  Lionel Messi, perhaps the world’s greatest footballer, broke down in tears, when his club was forced to release him for financial reasons, and apparently offered to stay at Barcelona for half what he had previously earned.  Even that emotional loyalty was not enough; he now plays for Paris St Germain, reportedly on £250,000 a week!!  In Afghanistan, the reality is that lives are at stake. It seems that a young Afghan footballer died trying to escape from his country.   I could not help but be touched by the report that a female member of the Afghan government, Farzana Kochai, had decided to stay in Kabul and risk her life for her family, friends and the women of Afghanistan, despite the fact that President Ashraf Ghani had fled the country.  She apparently said, “When the president just left the country, it broke our hearts just as much as the Taliban insurgents did”.  It reminded me too of the inspiring story, also reported recently, of the British surgeon, Abbas Khan, who went to Aleppo in Syria in 2012 to treat wounded civilians and was consequently tortured and murdered by the Assad regime – a sacrifice that in turn inspired a 15 year old boy from Aleppo, who “wanted to be like Dr Khan”.  That boy achieved his dream and graduated as a doctor on July 26th this year.  Dr Karimal Jian’s story reached Abbas Khan’s family, and the result was an emotional and deeply rewarding meeting between them. Even in the midst of fear and anxiety, loss and devastation, misery and desolation, there are still inspiring stories of faith, courage, hope and love.

Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”  (John 15; 13)   He also said, “I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”  (John 10: 11)

So this is the good news.  How much is a human life worth?  The answer is in the liturgy of the Holy Communion, when we remember Jesus and how “He opened His arms of love upon the cross and made for all the perfect sacrifice for sin”.  So let us thank the Lord for His infinite and everlasting love, and hold in our prayers all who suffer and those who work to alleviate their suffering.

Jeremy Thomas  

Church Guidelines

The PCC met on Monday 2nd August and have agreed the following changes with effect from the week commencing 16th August 2021:

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 18th 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 churchwardens 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.

Youth Work

We are looking to safer recruit volunteers for our Youth work. If you feel you could help with either the Drama Club, Rock Solid or the Youth Wellbeing course then please get in touch with Emma at standrewscovyouth@gmail.com 

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 

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