Posts here every Tuesday and Thursday by 12 noon and by 10.30am on Sundays (Please note that Internet service disruption can cause delay.) For the diocesan website, visit www.downanddromore.org.
DEVOTIONAL
Scripture Reading followed by a Reflection (both in the first audio)
Hymn 281, Rejoice, the Lord is King!
The Blessing
Video message from the Rector to parishioners of St John’s
Posts here every Tuesday and Thursday by 12 noon and by 10.30am on Sundays (Please note that Internet service disruption can cause delay.) For the diocesan website, visit www.downanddromore.org.
THE PANTRY FOODBANK
St John’s is associated with the Pantry Foodbank which is centred at Newcastle Methodist Church. If you would like to help either by donating items of food or by giving a cheque to the Pantry which can be used to purchase items, or if you need the help of the Pantry, please telephone 07517-766006. Any donations of money or goods can either be left at the Methodist Church by arrangement or can be collected from you locally.
Posts here every Tuesday and Thursday by 12 noon and by 10.30am on Sundays (Please note that Internet service disruption can cause delay.) For the diocesan website, visit www.downanddromore.org.
ORDER OF SERVICE
Today’s post takes the form of six audio worship recordings.
The Easter Anthems
Scripture lessons, read this week by Liz Byrne
Reflection and Prayer
Hymn 259, Christ triumphant, ever reigning
The Lord’s Prayer and Blessing
Posts here every Tuesday and Thursday by 12 noon and by 10.30am on Sundays (Please note that Internet service disruption can cause delay.) For the diocesan website, visit www.downanddromore.org.
THE PANTRY FOODBANK
St John’s is associated with the Pantry Foodbank which is centred at Newcastle Methodist Church. Food is going out as quickly as it is coming in at the Pantry. If you would like to help either by donating items of food or by giving a cheque to the Pantry which can be used to purchase items, or if you need the help of the Pantry, please telephone 07517-766006. Any donations of money or goods can either be left at the Methodist Church by arrangement or can be collected from you locally.
DEVOTIONAL
Scripture Reading followed by a Reflection (both in the first audio)
Hymn 269, Hark ten thousand voices sounding
The Easter Blessing
Posts here every Tuesday and Thursday by 12 noon and by 10.30am on Sundays (Please note that Internet service disruption can cause delay.) For the diocesan website, visit www.downanddromore.org.
From the Rector
DEVOTIONAL
Scripture Reading followed by a Reflection (both in the first audio)
Hymn 252, Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord!
The Easter Blessing
Posts here every Tuesday and Thursday by 12 noon and by 10.30am on Sundays (Please note that Internet service disruption can cause delay.) For the diocesan website, visit www.downanddromore.org.
Easter Video Message from the Rector to Parishioners
Followed by Worship
ORDER OF SERVICE
Today’s post takes the form of six audio worship recordings. The lessons are read this week by Dennis and Jenny Constable.
Ecce Homo (Behold, the man) - Antonio Ciseri (Pontius Pilate presents Jesus, crowned with thorns, to the crowd)
Regular posts here every Tuesday and Thursday by 12 noon and by 10.30am on Sundays (Please note that Internet service disruption can cause delay.) For the diocesan website, visit www.downanddromore.org.
From the Rector
GOOD FRIDAY DEVOTIONS
The Passion narrative may be read at St John Ch 18, verse 1 to Ch 19, verse 42.
Recordings for today:
Preparation for Worship: Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier (Dearest Jesu, we are here) (J.S. Bach)
Reflection
Hymn 247: When I survey the wondrous cross
Collect of Good Friday, The Lord’s Prayer and Blessing
Next post: Easter Sunday worship, by 10.30am
The Last Supper - Leonardo Da Vinci
Posts here every Tuesday and Thursday by 12 noon and by 10.30am on Sundays (Please note that Internet service disruption can cause delay.) This week there will be an extra worship post on Good Friday by 12 noon. For the diocesan website, visit www.downanddromore.org.
From the Rector
DEVOTIONAL
Maundy Thursday is the day when we recall the events in the Upper Room, where the Last Supper and the institution of the Holy Communion took place, and when Jesus washed his disciples’ feet.
This year, we will not be able to come together to share that Holy Communion as we always do both on Maundy Thursday and at Easter itself. But, God willing, we will return one day to our services in church and in the meantime it is good to take time to reflect on all that our worship really means to us.
Sometimes it is only when something is no longer there for us that we really begin to appreciate it. The Holy Communion is a sacred time when Christ comes to us and when all that he has done for us becomes real in sacred and mysterious way.
But Maundy Thursday is also about the washing of the disciples' feet. That action is a call to Christian service.
It is one of the really heartening things in these disturbing and distressing days that people are reaching out to one another in new ways, helping others, serving others.
So many healthcare professionals and carers are putting themselves in harm's way by tending the coronavirus sick and that is surely a real inspiration and a call for all of us to be ready to serve our neighbours, showing genuine Christian care and compassion.
It may only be a small gesture, but every good deed brings blessing to those who reach out to others.
This is a time for reflection on the solemn events of Holy Week. Tomorrow we will come to the final act in its unfolding events, the Cross itself.
Pause for reflection
Prayer – The Collect of Maundy Thursday: Almighty God, at the Last Supper your Son Jesus Christ washed the disciples’ feet and commanded them to love one another. Give us humility and obedience to be servants of others as he was the servant of all; who gave up his life and died for us, yet is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Hymn 399: ‘An Upper Room did our Lord prepare’
Next Post: Good Friday, by 12 noon
Posts here every Tuesday and Thursday by 12 noon and by 10.30am on Sundays (Please note that Internet service disruption can cause delay.) This week there will be an extra worship post here on Good Friday by 12 noon. For the diocesan website, visit www.downanddromore.org.
From the Rector
DEVOTIONAL
Verses for today: John 12: 20-21 “Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus’.”
Thought: Wanting to see Jesus is a good thing. What better person could one want to see? And yet, seeing Jesus is only the beginning of the story because, having seen him, and heard him, we are called to follow him. That means a whole new way of life. Holy Week teaches us many things, but among those things is the lesson that at the heart of being a disciple must lie the readiness to make our sacrifices.
Prayer - The Collect of the Tuesday in Holy Week: O God, who by the passion of your blessed Son made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer pain and loss for the sake of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Pause for reflection
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NEWS
The Church of Ireland Gazette is being made available free of charge this month. The following statement has been published by the Church of Ireland:
“In a gesture of support for everyone during the ongoing coronavirus crisis, the Board of the Church of Ireland Gazette has decided to make the April issue available FREE online. A PDF can be downloaded from the Gazette website. The printed magazine and the e–paper are out as normal, but distribution of the printed copies may be difficult and the Board does not want any readers or parish distributors to feel they have to leave their homes at this time.
“The April issue includes reports on the impacts of Covid–19 on church life, an interview with Archbishop–elect of Armagh, the Rt Rev John McDowell; the Rev Colin Darling’s visit to Sierra Leone; a re–enactment of an historic day in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork; the Rev Canon David Humphries on his love of the Holy Land; stories from our young people and Mothers’ Union, music, environment, comment and much more. The April Gazette is free to view and/or download at bit.ly/2yyNx1r “.
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National church leaders from around Britain and Ireland have issued a joint Holy Week statement in which they refer to the world today as being “in the midst of an unprecedented crisis”.
They continue: “In the nations that make up Britain and Ireland the Covid-19 virus continues to affect people at an alarming rate. Health services along with many of our institutions and organisations, both local and national, are under extreme pressure and people are getting used to living in a very different way, many in extreme isolation. As with all such crises, there is a danger that the most vulnerable in society will be most badly affected.”
The senior clergy say that although people are separated from each other physically, when we pray in our homes we join in with the ancient tradition of our home as a place of prayer, adding: “Wherever we are, whenever we pray, when we speak and think of Christ, there he is in the midst of us.”
They called for prayer “for those who suffer, those who face untimely death and all those who care for them”. They also call for a celebration of our common faith at a difficult time, and for everyone to help and support their neighbours in need and to observe all the safeguards in place to slow the spread of disease.
They conclud with the following prayer: Loving God, in Jesus Christ, who died and rose again for our salvation, cast out the darkness of our anxiety, fear and mourning, enfold us in your love and give us joy and hope this Easter. Amen.
(Full statement at https://ctbi.org.uk/church-leaders-united-in-response-to-covid-19-pandemic)
Posts here every Tuesday and Thursday by 12 noon and by 10.30am on Sundays (Please note that Internet service disruption can cause delay.) The recordings in this post are made by emailing the audio files and do not involve any meetings. This week there will be an extra worship post on Good Friday by 12 noon. For the diocesan website, visit www.downanddromore.org.
From the Rector
Today’s post takes the form of six audio worship recordings. The lessons are read this week by Jillian Aulds.
ORDER OF SERVICE
Preparation for Worship: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (J.S. Bach)
First Lesson: Psalm 118 verses 1-2 & 19-29
Second Lesson: Matthew 21: 1-11
Reflection and Prayer
Hymn: 238 Ride on, ride on in majesty
Lord's Prayer and Blessing
Posts every Tuesday and Thursday by 12 noon and by 10.30am on Sundays (Please note that Internet service disruption can cause delay.)
From the Rector
DEVOTIONAL
Verse for today: Psalm 40 verse 5: "Great are the wonders you have done, O Lord my God. How great your designs for us!"
Thought: If we look around us, especially here in Newcastle, we see the great beauty of creation. Yes, there is suffering in our world and we feel for those who have to endure poverty, hardship of whatever kind, or sickness - often all three at once - and especially so at this time of the coronavirus global pandemic. Yet, despite its sometimes dark mysteries, the natural world has a constancy and beauty all of its own, reflecting in many ways the constancy of God and the beauty of holiness. What is more, our verse reminds us of the wonders of God's purposes for each of our lives.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the beauty of creation and for your gracious guidance in all our lives. Grant us grace to follow in your way so that we may fulfil your purposes in all that we do. Amen
Pause for reflection
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NEWS
Regarding recent changes in abortion law in Northern Ireland, the Bishop has issued a statement.
He writes of the new legislation: "These new regulations now to be implemented mean that anyone can ask for their pregnancy of up to 12 weeks to be terminated without the need to provide any reason. As a church, the Church of Ireland has always opposed this. There is another stage at 12–24 weeks where pregnancies may be terminated if they ‘would involve risk of injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman or girl, greater than the risk of terminating the pregnancy’. This has to be assessed by ‘two medical professionals’ with medical professionals designated as a doctor, a registered nurse or a registered midwife. This is concerning because a risk to the mental health of someone, not requiring a medical diagnosis, can open the gate for what amounts to abortion on demand to continue through to 24 weeks. The new legislation most shockingly permits abortion right up to birth where ‘if the child were born it would suffer such physical or mental impairment as to be seriously disabled.’ As followers of Christ we believe that all are made in the image of God, all are of inestimable value and in society and in our churches today we rightly try to ensure that all are valued, and none discriminated against. This piece of legislation has to be deeply upsetting for the many disabled who we love and value and who contribute so much to society today."
The Bishop's full statement is available online (https://www.downanddromore.org/news/2020/03/statement-regarding-new-abortion-legislation-for-ni).
Bishop’s Palm Sunday Call to Prayer
To read about the Call to Prayer, please follow the link:
https://www.ireland.anglican.org/news/9551/bishop-davids-palm-sunday-call
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With the current challenge, now is the time to say,
‘we believe in God,’ says ecumenical leader
Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit served as a general secretary of the World Council of Churches for more than ten years. (Photo: A. Hillert/WCC)
After more than ten years heading the Geneva-based World Council of Churches (WCC), the Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, originally from Norway, says that this time of the global Covid-19 crisis must prompt us to say we believe in God "our shepherd”.
Yesterday (1st April), following his time as general secretary of the world's biggest grouping of Protestant and Orthodox churches, Dr Tveit took up his new role as Presiding Bishop of the Church of Norway, a church in the Lutheran tradition.
He was interviewed by WCC News and the news agency of the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy, the country that has suffered so much from the novel coronavirus, with more than 13,000 people killed so far by the disease.
He describes leading the WCC as having been a "privilege" and “blessing".
"It is extremely important that the churches together are able to say, we are walking, we are praying, we are working together," he says.
In the interview, Dr Tveit spoke of the importance of faith "as we in these days fear that we will see something we have not seen before". (WCC News)
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[Next post by 10.30am on Sunday 5th April. This will be an act of worship. Please note that Internet service disruption can cause delay.]
Posts every Tuesday and Thursday by 12 noon and on Sundays by 10.30am
From the Rector
DEVOTIONAL
Verse for today: Psalm 20, verse 7: “Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will call only on the name of the Lord our God.”
Thought: This verse is a reminder that physical or material power ultimately is not as strong as spiritual strength. Certainly, powerful armies can subdue nations that are militarily much weaker, but in the longer scheme of things the spirit within people has time and again been seen to prevail against powerful dictators. It is God alone who is the author of peace and concord.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, grant us grace to look beyond the things of this world to the enduring strength of your glorious kingdom. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Pause for reflection
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NEWS
Church leaders both at home and abroad have been issuing statements of encouragement and challenge in the current situation.
In a joint statement last week, following a video conference, the leaders of the Church of Ireland, the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches, the Roman Catholic Church and the Irish Council of Churches paid tribute to everyone in the health and social care services and those in the frontline, for their courage in the battle against the Coronavirus (Covid–19) pandemic.
The church leaders also pointed out: “In the midst of this suffering, however, we can see many signs of hope. The speed with which local communities - involving churches, community groups, charities, businesses and other local community leaders - have mobilised in response to this unprecedented challenge has been a great reassurance to many.”
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The heads of ecumenical organisations from around the world have come together to say that “this is a time for pastoral, prophetic and practical Christianity” amidst the Covid–19 crisis.
The Conference of European Churches (CEC), together with similar regional ecumenical organisations from Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and Latin America, and the World Council of Churches, issued a joint statement urging “people everywhere to give highest priority to assisting in whatever ways we can in our collective efforts to protect life” and adding: “This is a time to touch each other’s hearts, by what we say, share, and do.”
“As regional church bodies, we stress in a united voice that we must follow instructions from our local authorities to fight this pandemic,” said CEC General Secretary Dr Jørgen Skov Sørensen.
The joint statement highlights the importance and urgency of adapting modes of worship and fellowship to the needs of this time of pandemic infection.
The leaders state that “as a global community of faith, we affirm that, even in the midst of our vulnerability, we trust in God, as God is our hope.
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The following message (abbreviated) has been issued by the Anglican Communion:
Anglican provinces around the world have joined Churches of other denominations to suspend public worship as the global Covid-19 pandemic continues to spread.
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York, Justin Welby and John Sentamu, called for Christians to be a radically different type of church as they announced the suspension of public worship in England. They said that this was not about “shutting up shop” but about adopting to a different way of worship. “Being a part of the Church of England is going to look very different in the days ahead,” they wrote in a letter to clergy. “Our life is going to be less characterised by attendance at church on Sunday, and more characterised by the prayer and service we offer each day.”
Many other Anglican provinces, including the Church of Ireland, have also suspended public worship in response to government requests to limit social interaction to prevent the spread of the disease.
Many provinces are arranging special services broadcast on local and national media, and streamed. online.
[Next post by 12 noon on Thursday 2nd April]
From the Rector
Today’s post takes the form of six audio worship recordings. First, the voluntary, When the Lord recalls the banished by Sigfrid Karg-Elert, during which you can prepare for the worship; then two lessons from Scripture read by Sharon Williamson; then a reflection and prayer by me; then the hymn, All glory, laud and honour; and finally the Lord’s Prayer and the Blessing. There may be a short period of silence at the beginning of each audio, to allow it to load.
(Note: The recordings in this post are made by emailing the audio files and do not involve any meetings.)
Next post by 12 noon on Tuesday 31st March
From the Rector
The following is an abbreviated message from the joint-Presidents of the Conference of European Churches, of which the Church of Ireland is a member:
“Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you” 1 Peter 5:7
As we all brace to fight COVID-19, being a fellowship of European churches, we reaffirm our common Christian faith based on the certainty that life is stronger than death, that Jesus Christ overcame death and the fear of it. Our faith holds us together, that is our strength.
While we take measures to protect our loved ones, our communities and ourselves, let us remember to not lose touch. We need physical distancing – but we also need social solidarity. Let us think of each other and remain connected with our brothers and sisters.
As we distance physically from each other, let us remember to be close spiritually. Online praying may be a new experience, but we know that our members and partners across Europe are using digital means to continue congregational life in a successful way. They are offering messages of hope and encouragement, sharing online resources not only to spread information but also to support each other spiritually.
Together we pray for the vulnerable and elderly. We pray for those who are frightened or depressed because of isolation and exclusion. We also pray for the medical staff and nursing professionals at the front lines, in hospitals and care homes.
We pray too for researchers and scientists searching for proper medication and a vaccination to deliver us from this virus, and for the health authorities, who have the primary responsibility for planning, confronting and overcoming this crisis. We keep in mind all those who continue to work for our basic needs and we live with the hope that science will indeed prevail.
The pandemic is bringing economic stress, with companies struggling to survive during lock-downs and large numbers of people losing their jobs. This threatens the social fabric of our societies and sharpens social and economic divisions, making an effective response to COVID-19 even harder to achieve.
Together we pray for people who are losing their jobs and whose livelihood is at risk due to changed patterns of living and restrictions imposed to control the situation. We pray for our politicians, decision makers and experts that they may act wisely and for the common good.
Rev. Christian Krieger (President, Reformed Protestant Church of Alsace and Lorraine), Rt Rev. Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani (Vice-President, Church of England) and Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia (Vice-President, Ecumenical Patriarchate).
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The organisation Churches Together in Britain and Ireland reports that in China, the Amity Foundation, a faith-based Chinese non-governmental organisation, has expressed its deep appreciation and gratitude for the support and encouraging messages from all over the world, while it has been working actively to help contain the Coronavirus outbreak.
It has sent more than 470 tons of disinfectants, food, and hundreds of thousands of pieces of medical protective clothing and other medical equipment. Supplies have been delivered to more than 300 hospitals and medical centres, and more than 100 communities and organisations in 14 cities in Hubei and Jiangsu Province.
The Guarding Angel project, that provides meals for personnel at hospitals affected by the crisis, has delivered 120,000 meals to front-line medical workers.
The Dorca Fellowship
Christians of the Dorca Fellowship are purchasing and donating medical supplies to the Amity Foundation.
Dorca Fellowship is a fellowship of Christians in Zhejiang. It has been supporting Amity's social development projects for more than ten years. After the coronavirus outbreak, brothers and sisters did not only actively raise at home and abroad, but also actively contacted the hospitals in the affected areas to understand their needs. Moreover, they also volunteered to find supplies for Amity at home and abroad.
In order to save time for Amity, they purchased supplies themselves and donated them to Amity afterward. Brother F. of the Dorca Fellowship said, "When I heard that doctors in the epidemic area were extremely scarce of medical supplies, they risked their lives to save the patients, by just wearing normal raincoats. They saw patients without proper protection. I thought that what we could do was to help as much as possible and share more of the love of Christ." Brother F. requested anonymity because he felt that all he did, was to glorify God.
Furthermore, he said that the Dorca Fellowship hopes to share the love of Christ to those in need, to witness the faith, and to show that Christian identity is more than personal belief. [Amity Foundation]
Post No. 7 by 10.30am on Sunday 29th March. This will be a short act of worship. (Please note that Internet service disruption can cause delay.)
From the Rector
The Bishop of Down and Dromore has issued a video message to the Diocese. You will find it at this link: https://www.ireland.anglican.org/news/9510/bishop-davids-video-message-to
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Following the Prime Minister's address to the nation yesterday evening (23rd March, see below), instigating sweeping restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the virus, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have urged everyone to follow the instructions given by the him to stay in their homes in a national effort to limit the transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19). They called on the Church to “continue to pray, to love, to care for the vulnerable”.
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Regulatory advice to parishioners: Marriages and baptisms have been suspended for the time being. Funerals will proceed provided that numbers are very strictly limited. Funeral ceremonies will only be at the graveside. These are very difficult times and I trust that all concerned will understand the importance of following advice received, and will be consoled by the Christian faith and the love of God for all.
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Prime Minister's 23rd March Address to the Nation
Good Evening,
The coronavirus is the biggest threat this country has faced for decades – and this country is not alone.
All over the world we are seeing the devastating impact of this invisible killer.
And so tonight I want to update you on the latest steps we are taking to fight the disease and what you can do to help.
And I want to begin by reminding you why the UK has been taking the approach that we have.
Without a huge national effort to halt the growth of this virus, there will come a moment when no health service in the world could possibly cope; because there won’t be enough ventilators, enough intensive care beds, enough doctors and nurses.
And as we have seen elsewhere, in other countries that also have fantastic health care systems, that is the moment of real danger.
To put it simply, if too many people become seriously unwell at one time, the NHS will be unable to handle it - meaning more people are likely to die, not just from Coronavirus but from other illnesses as well.
So it’s vital to slow the spread of the disease.
Because that is the way we reduce the number of people needing hospital treatment at any one time, so we can protect the NHS’s ability to cope - and save more lives.
And that’s why we have been asking people to stay at home during this pandemic.
And though huge numbers are complying - and I thank you all - the time has now come for us all to do more.
From this evening I must give the British people a very simple instruction - you must stay at home.
Because the critical thing we must do is stop the disease spreading between households.
That is why people will only be allowed to leave their home for the following very limited purposes:
shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible
one form of exercise a day - for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household;
any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person; and
travelling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home.
That’s all - these are the only reasons you should leave your home.
You should not be meeting friends. If your friends ask you to meet, you should say No.
You should not be meeting family members who do not live in your home.
You should not be going shopping except for essentials like food and medicine - and you should do this as little as you can. And use food delivery services where you can.
If you don’t follow the rules the police will have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings.
To ensure compliance with the Government’s instruction to stay at home, we will immediately:
close all shops selling non-essential goods, including clothing and electronic stores and other premises including libraries, playgrounds and outdoor gyms, and places of worship;
we will stop all gatherings of more than two people in public – excluding people you live with;
and we’ll stop all social events, including weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies, but excluding funerals.
Parks will remain open for exercise but gatherings will be dispersed.
No Prime Minister wants to enact measures like this.
I know the damage that this disruption is doing and will do to people’s lives, to their businesses and to their jobs.
And that’s why we have produced a huge and unprecedented programme of support both for workers and for business.
And I can assure you that we will keep these restrictions under constant review. We will look again in three weeks, and relax them if the evidence shows we are able to.
But at present there are just no easy options. The way ahead is hard, and it is still true that many lives will sadly be lost.
And yet it is also true that there is a clear way through.
Day by day we are strengthening our amazing NHS with 7500 former clinicians now coming back to the service.
With the time you buy - by simply staying at home - we are increasing our stocks of equipment.
We are accelerating our search for treatments.
We are pioneering work on a vaccine.
And we are buying millions of testing kits that will enable us to turn the tide on this invisible killer.
I want to thank everyone who is working flat out to beat the virus.
Everyone from the supermarket staff to the transport workers to the carers to the nurses and doctors on the frontline.
But in this fight we can be in no doubt that each and every one of us is directly enlisted.
Each and every one of us is now obliged to join together.
To halt the spread of this disease.
To protect our NHS and to save many many thousands of lives.
And I know that as they have in the past so many times.
The people of this country will rise to that challenge.
And we will come through it stronger than ever.
We will beat the coronavirus and we will beat it together.
And therefore I urge you at this moment of national emergency to stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives.
Thank you.
Next post by 12 noon on Thursday 26th March
From the Rector
Today’s post will take the form of four audio worship recordings. First, two lessons from Scripture read by Jennifer White, then a reflection and prayer by me, then the hymn, Come down, O love divine, and finally the Lord’s Prayer and the Blessing. I hope these audio files work for you on your computer or smartphone. There may be a short period of silence at the beginning of each audio, to allow it to load. However, if there are any problems, please do not be disappointed but please do email me (newcastle@dromore.anglican.org) to let me know and I will try to sort things out for the next time.
Whether this works or not this time, and despite the serious circumstances that we are all facing, I wish you a very happy Mothering Sunday.
Next post by 12 noon on Tuesday 24th March
Message from the Rector
Following the launch of a diocesan Season of Prayer to run from St Patrick's Day until Pentecost (31st May), the Bishop asks that the following prayer be prayed daily during that period:
Almighty and merciful God, who in days of old didst give to this land the benediction of thy holy Church; Withdraw not, we pray thee, thy favour from us, but so correct what is amiss, and supply what is lacking, that we may more and more bring forth fruit to thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
For online postings from the Bishop and Diocese, please visit https://www.downanddromore.org/news
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The Anglican Communion News Service has provided the following report:
Anglican doctor helping to lead international fight
against Covid-19 as churches take precautions
A former missionary who previously worked as a senior adviser at the World Health Organisation has been called back into service following the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr Ian Smith is now serving as a senior adviser to the current Director-General of the WHO, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Dr Smith lives with his wife Sally in the Yorkshire Dales’ village of Arncliffe, where they worship in the parish of Upper Wharfedale and Littondale. He is a bell ringer and his wife Sally is a sidesperson.
The couple previously worked in Nepal for 16 years as medical missionaries with the Baptist Missionary Society and the United Mission to Nepal.
Speaking to the Anglican Communion News Service, Dr Smith said: “Many people are deeply alarmed by the rapid spread of COVID-19. The outbreak of disease has caused a pandemic of fear and panic. But we must not spread fear, stigma and misinformation. We must stop, contain, control, delay and reduce the impact of this virus at every opportunity. Every person has the capacity to contribute, to protect themselves, to protect others, whether in the home, the community, the healthcare system, the workplace or the transport system.”
Post No. 4 by 10.30am on Sunday 22nd March. This will be a short act of worship.
Further regulatory advice to parishioners [updated 24th March]: Marriages and baptisms have been suspended for the time being. Funerals will proceed provided that numbers are very strictly limited. Funeral ceremonies will only be at the graveside.
Rector’s Message
There is no doubt that we are now living through unprecedented times. The current coronavirus situation has been likened to life in time of war, when the normal course of life simply breaks down.
It is at such times as these that we must think of the common good and live as citizens who really do care for one another. This morning I read some salutary words of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in the course an address to the German people yesterday: "We are not doomed to helplessly watch the spread of the virus. We have the means to fight it: we must practice social distancing out of consideration for one another".
It is all very disturbing, because not only must we all learn to do things differently - to live differently - but also we cannot help being aware of the dark shadow of the illness that lies at the heart of this crisis. That means thinking of the suffering, the dying, the bereaved, the perplexed and, of course, those who tend the sick and those who have the responsibility of taking really difficult decisions for society as a whole.
I found it striking to see how people in Italy who are strictly confined to their homes have been coming out on to their balconies and singing to one another. There was one lady, an opera singer, who gave a tremendous performance! Her strong and rich voice rang through the street. I noticed similar things happening some time ago among residents of Wuhan, where the pandemic first really took hold. We also must encourage one another, appreciating our friends and loved ones more than ever and taking time to be thankful for every blessing in our lives.
A time such as this can be a time for really deep reflection on life and on faith: What have been, and what are, the big things in my life? What have been, and what are, the big ways my faith has influenced my life?
A Prayer for Peace of Mind
You will keep them in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you
Heavenly Father, in your love and wisdom you know the fears and anxieties of all your children. Your Son, Jesus Christ, said to his disciples: “Do not be afraid, It is I,” and to the tempest: “Peace be still”. We ask, not only for ourselves but for all others, especially our healthcare workers, that we may cast all our cares on you, for we know you care for us. Give us peace of mind and unshaken trust in you and guide us into perfect peace. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Post No. 3 by 12 noon on Saturday 21st March
(Please note that this Post is electronically dated March 19 as the page was reconfigured on that day. The Post was placed on March 17.)
Post No. 1 - St Patrick’s Day
Coronavirus situation
Message from the Rector, Canon Ian Ellis:
The Church of Ireland has called on parishes to follow government advice in the midst of the current coronavirus pandemic. Following the statements by the Prime Minister and the government's chief medical and scientific advisers yesterday (16th March), all services in St John's and St Colman's are suspended until further notice. Groups are no longer using the Parish Hall. I will be adding updates on this page of the parish website. In addition, I will be writing to all parishioners by post over the coming week.
The Bishop has issued a call to prayer in this situation, using a prayer written by the Archbishop of Dublin:
Almighty and All–loving God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we pray to you through Christ the Healer for those who suffer from the Coronavirus Covid–19 in Ireland and across the world. We pray too for all who reach out to those who mourn the loss of each and every person who has died as a result of contracting the disease. Give wisdom to policymakers, skill to healthcare professionals and researchers, comfort to everyone in distress and a sense of calm to us all in these days of uncertainty and distress. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord who showed compassion to the outcast, acceptance to the rejected and love to those to whom no love was shown. Amen
The Collect of St Patrick’s Day:
Almighty God, in your providence you chose your servant Patrick to be the apostle of the Irish people, to bring those who were wandering in darkness and error to the true light and knowledge of your Word: Grant that walking in that light we may come at last to the light of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Post No. 2 by 12 noon on Thursday 19th March
St John's Parish Church is a Charity registered with the Northern Ireland Charity Commission. Registration number NIC103477.
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