20th June 2020
Benefice of Farleigh, Candover and Wield
Dear friends,
We are gradually working towards getting our church buildings open for prayer now that restrictions have lifted – some are open as previously, others will be restricted a little – we will compile a list for next week’s letter.
As of today, we still wait for guidance as to when we may re-start Sunday worship, but in anticipation of re-starting on 5th July, rotas have been prepared and will go out to churchwardens and others in next 48 hours, so that readers can be briefed and each parish send round their email contact lists when and what to expect.
Farleigh Parish usually has “Fellowship Month” in July, with one weekly service at 11.00 a.m., which moves around the 4 churches and the PCC decided on Thursday that this will apply for both July and August, with July’s services held in the open air with some singing – we are trusting the Lord for sunny Sunday mornings! July’s sequence will be, assuming restarting on 5 July, Dummer, 12 July Farleigh, 19 July Cliddesden, 26 July Ellisfield. No refreshments until distancing rules are relaxed, but we will enjoy one another’s company in worship. We think most folk will probably stick to their own villages to begin with, which is fine. We will continue online services for the next couple of months – we hope you are all enjoying the variety on offer.
Thank you to those who have given some feedback on our services – it does help us to “pitch” them as best we can, and I hope you are happy with the occasional newer hymn to increase the repertoire!
We hope that both “Oxdrove” and “Hill and Dale” will be published and distributed in the next couple of weeks, and so some sense of normality will be returning to life.
We are looking for a new editor for “Hill and Dale” – we have some interest being expressed but nothing is settled as yet, and we would like to see a small team develop in due course – any interested parties, please contact Stephen.
We would also like to remind everyone that it is important to keep giving levels up across the different parishes as many only give when they attend. You can give online, and Farleigh Parish has a “Donate” section on the benefice website as well – giving by text message or via mobile phone; Wield has something similar but as yet details have not reached the website. Thank you to all who have been giving during these difficult months.
Although these times seem to have affected us all, God is our strength and refuge, He never changes, and He knows each of our situations intimately; take time to seek Him in prayer, to give yourself to Him in surrender, for He waits for you to speak, and to listen; He will speak too – often through His Word to us, so do use the Daily Bible Reading and Prayer diary available on the website.
We look forward to restarting worship soon – please do be praying for confidence to return, for hope to be restored, and for healing of those personally affected emotionally, physically, mentally, financially and socially.
Services are being recorded and uploaded as we write, so may God bless you as we worship together tomorrow,
As always we are available on phone, email, or face to face over a garden gate or wall, for all matters.
Prayer times Wednesdays 9.00 to 9.30 a.m. on Zoom – contact peter.c.w.raine@btinternet.com ; fellowship group on Wednesday evenings 7.45 to 9.15 p.m. likewise.
May God bless each of you this week,
Every blessing,
With our prayers and greetings,