Lockdown 3 – what it means for The Wychwood Benefice

lockdown

5 January, 2021

Dear Friends

Following the announcement of a new lockdown Monday evening I have given some thought to how we will go forward with our Sunday Services.

The Church of England has issued a statement part of which reads:

“…The Prime Minister’s words tonight underline the severity of the situation for the country, as the virus continues to spread rapidly. At a time like this, the Church is here to offer comfort and spiritual support to everyone. We have a duty to care for each other, but particularly those who are vulnerable or who may be most at risk.

“The Government has chosen not to suspend public worship in England at this time and we will continue to follow the guidance and ensure that churches remain as safe as possible. The Government guidance on the safe use of places of worship makes clear that those attending a place of worship must not mingle with anyone outside their household or support bubble.

“However, some may feel that it is currently better not to attend in person, and there will be parishes which decide to offer only digital services for the time-being…“

I am proposing that for the time being there will be only one service of Communion each Sunday for the duration of the lockdown as well as the Wednesday Service in Milton. An online service will continue to be posted for those who wish to stay at home.

These will be simple said services, I do not wish to oblige anyone to attend who does not wish to, this includes sides-men/women or sacristans, readers, intercessors, so please can we suspend any rotas for the duration. I will bring my own Chalice and Pattern to minimise the involvement of others. I urge you to think seriously about attending these services, your safety must come first, and I will not be disappointed if there is no one attending.

 

The pattern would therefore be:

January

10th Fifield 11am

17th Milton 9:30

24th Idbury 11am

31st Milton 9:30 am

February

7th Shipton 11am

14th Fifield 11am

17th Ash Wednesday 10.30 am Milton

21st Milton 9:30 am

28th Idbury 11am

 

plus a Wednesday mid week Holy Communion service in Milton Church at 10.30am.

Kindest regards
Geoffrey
Vicar, Wychwood Benefice

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revised Services for January and February 2021

services Jan and Feb

Services in January & February 2021

www.facebook.com/WychwoodBenefice

Revised for lockdown

A church service will be recorded and posted  on Facebook and YouTube each week

Sunday 10 January 11.00am BCP Holy Communion in Fifield

Sunday 17 January 9.30am Holy Communion in Milton

Sunday 24 January 11.00am BCP Holy Communion in Idbury

Sunday 31 January 9.30am Holy Communion in Milton

Sunday 7 February 11.00am BCP Holy Communion in Shipton

Sunday 14 February 11.00am BCP Holy Communion in Fifield

Ash Wednesday 17 February 10.30am Holy Communion in Milton

Sunday 21 February 9.30am Holy Communion in Milton

Sunday 28 February 11.00am BCP Holy Communion in Idbury

Every Wednesday 10.30am Mid-Week Holy Communion in Milton

ALL SERVICES WILL BE HELD UNDER THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES OF SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. SEE THE WEBSITE FOR LATEST DETAILS

Sign up to our Monthly Draw (£100 prize each month!) and help raise funds for Shipton Church

Shipton monthly draw

St Mary’s Improvements and Restoration Fund

As I am sure you are aware, the important 905-year-old church building in Shipton is in desperate need of repairs to the nave and south aisle roof. The problems stem from damp rot and deathwatch beetle which have caused some of the roof timbers to fail. We are also planning to carry out some improvements to
the church to bring the standard of facilities more up to date.

Last December, the WI very kindly helped the church by organising a Christmas Tree Festival which was a great success. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions, it is not possible to repeat that this year. Instead, we are formulating plans for several fundraising initiatives, one of which is a monthly draw.

We are setting up a monthly draw at the very low cost of £36 (12 x £3) per annum membership although it is entirely permissible to hold more than one number thereby increasing your chance of a share in a monthly prize pot! There will be a prize each month of £100.

A further event we are planning is an online Auction of Promises. Further details of that very shortly.
The work is vital to keep our beautiful church building an important feature of our village and anything you can do to help would be hugely appreciated. I hope that you will feel able to adopt a number in the draw. Please  return the attached application form to our Treasurer.

Download the application form for the Monthly Draw here: MONTHLY DRAW APPLICATION NOV 20

Kind regards

Geoffrey

 

 

Photo by dylan nolte on Unsplash