September 2020
Dear Friends,
Conditions would seem to be returning to some semblance of normality. Personally, I have mixed feelings about this. I worry about a new spike in the Coronavirus pandemic, as we are seeing in other countries. I'm also extremely concerned about the lack of adherence to government guidelines to restrict the spread of this virus. On the other hand it is heartening to see the continuation of care and kindness being shown one to another.
In the church we have resumed our Parish Mass at 10:30 and continue also to stream this on zoom. As of the the beginning of September we are hopeful We are hopeful to augment en masse with a quartet rather than just Cantor as we have at present. I am most grateful to those members of the choir who stood in as Cantor during the pandemic.
We continue to stream on zoom the offices of Morning and Evening prayer, taken from the Book of Common Prayer. This has been a wonderful experience, well at least for me. Not only have I experienced the fellowship of other Christians on a day-to-day basis, but I have also learned many interesting little facts, especially about breadmaking. Ugh!
It has been good to welcome Julian and members of our choir back as a quartet, we have so missed them, enriching our worship. They are socially distenced on the balcony and cocooned in perspex screens for everyone's safety.
I suppose the most extraordinary thing has been the challenge to ones spiritual life. I am very fortunate in my work as a spiritual director to interact with people who have struggled spiritually, or grown perceptibly during this time. The demand for spiritual direction seems to have gone through the roof and I think I could spend all my time (willingly) just engaged in this process. It is such a privilege!
I wonder if you ever feel the need to actually make that necessary effort to deepen your spiritual life? You ought to consider a Spiritual Director. Spiritual Accompaniment, or direction, is about meeting with a spiritual director, accompanier or guide, to share your thoughts and reflections about your faith and your life in the light of that. Some people experience spiritual direction while on times of retreat and others choose to meet with a spiritual director regularly throughout the year. If so you will usually meet with your spiritual director every 6—8 weeks for about an hour. Have a word with me if you might be prepared to take a chance!
Please remember in your prayers our ex-churchwarden, John Blackburn who will be ordained to the transitional Diaconate on September 28 by the Bishop of Fulham at St Andrew's Holborn. Sady John is only allowed three guests and we do not yet know if the service will be streamed, but I will advise you as soon as I know.
Please also remember Fr Simon as St Mellitus returns for their new teaching term. This is a stressful time for him as they determine new ways of teaching, at the same time embrace a new structure and introduce a new Dean.
This month sees our Feast of Title, St Cyprian's Day. At this moment we are not sure whether we shall observe it on the 15th or anticipate it on the Sunday 13th. Our guest celebrant & preacher will be our Area Dean, friend, neighbour and sequestrator, The Reverend Claire Dowding.
Your Priest & friend
Michael
Some words of Saint Mother Teresa:
‘When you look at a crucifix you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Eucharist you understand how much Jesus loves you now!’
Dear Friends,
Conditions would seem to be returning to some semblance of normality. Personally, I have mixed feelings about this. I worry about a new spike in the Coronavirus pandemic, as we are seeing in other countries. I'm also extremely concerned about the lack of adherence to government guidelines to restrict the spread of this virus. On the other hand it is heartening to see the continuation of care and kindness being shown one to another.
In the church we have resumed our Parish Mass at 10:30 and continue also to stream this on zoom. As of the the beginning of September we are hopeful We are hopeful to augment en masse with a quartet rather than just Cantor as we have at present. I am most grateful to those members of the choir who stood in as Cantor during the pandemic.
We continue to stream on zoom the offices of Morning and Evening prayer, taken from the Book of Common Prayer. This has been a wonderful experience, well at least for me. Not only have I experienced the fellowship of other Christians on a day-to-day basis, but I have also learned many interesting little facts, especially about breadmaking. Ugh!
It has been good to welcome Julian and members of our choir back as a quartet, we have so missed them, enriching our worship. They are socially distenced on the balcony and cocooned in perspex screens for everyone's safety.
I suppose the most extraordinary thing has been the challenge to ones spiritual life. I am very fortunate in my work as a spiritual director to interact with people who have struggled spiritually, or grown perceptibly during this time. The demand for spiritual direction seems to have gone through the roof and I think I could spend all my time (willingly) just engaged in this process. It is such a privilege!
I wonder if you ever feel the need to actually make that necessary effort to deepen your spiritual life? You ought to consider a Spiritual Director. Spiritual Accompaniment, or direction, is about meeting with a spiritual director, accompanier or guide, to share your thoughts and reflections about your faith and your life in the light of that. Some people experience spiritual direction while on times of retreat and others choose to meet with a spiritual director regularly throughout the year. If so you will usually meet with your spiritual director every 6—8 weeks for about an hour. Have a word with me if you might be prepared to take a chance!
Please remember in your prayers our ex-churchwarden, John Blackburn who will be ordained to the transitional Diaconate on September 28 by the Bishop of Fulham at St Andrew's Holborn. Sady John is only allowed three guests and we do not yet know if the service will be streamed, but I will advise you as soon as I know.
Please also remember Fr Simon as St Mellitus returns for their new teaching term. This is a stressful time for him as they determine new ways of teaching, at the same time embrace a new structure and introduce a new Dean.
This month sees our Feast of Title, St Cyprian's Day. At this moment we are not sure whether we shall observe it on the 15th or anticipate it on the Sunday 13th. Our guest celebrant & preacher will be our Area Dean, friend, neighbour and sequestrator, The Reverend Claire Dowding.
Your Priest & friend
Michael
Some words of Saint Mother Teresa:
‘When you look at a crucifix you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Eucharist you understand how much Jesus loves you now!’
