The Rector recently attended a meeting of Diocesan clergy at which there was an opportunity to comment or ask questions about the recent decisions of General Synod in relation to marriage and relationships. You may be aware that General Synod recently considered proposals from the House of Bishops regarding the possible future issuing of approved prayers of blessing for couples in same-sex relationships, the decision not to permit the celebration of same-sex marriages in church and the proposed revision of the current guidance...

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
(Isaiah 41:10, NIV)

The Church of England has produced some
Lent resources called ‘Dust and Glory’. (You
can get these for free from the CofE website).
The resources are based on Emma Ineson’s book ‘Failure’ mentioned below.

Bishop Michael (who, you may remember, worked as an epidemiologist before becoming a bishop) has recently reviewed the risk  of COVID transmission associated with sharing the common cup during Holy Communion. Based on recent scientific  studies, his conclusion is that the risk of COVID being transmitted through sharing the common cup is minimal.

Our Christian faith is something that informs and underpins the whole of our lives, not just certain times in the day or week or year. When we think about what ‘church’ is and what ‘church’ is for, we naturally tend to think of Sunday services, festivals and  baptisms, weddings and funerals.