On account of the Coronavirus we’ve had to suspend all public worship and close our church buildings, but we continue to be a community of prayer and service. Now, perhaps more than ever, we are called to keep our focus on the things that truly matter – love of God and love of neighbour.
Every Sunday we will podcast services of Holy Communion – with an audio recording and accompanying Order of Service – on our website. And in the weeks ahead we will continue to use every means we can – audio, video and text resources – to facilitate our praying together whilst we are staying physically apart. Regular services may be suspended, but service most definitely continues. Public worship may be halted, but prayer never ceases. Please subscribe to our YouTube channel, follow us on SoundCloud and follow us on Facebook so that you're alerted to all new content. And if you, or someone you know, can't access services online, then please get in touch with the Parish Office, or with the Rector, and we will do our best to get a CD of the service recordings to them.
Although our Youth Group cannot meet in person, every Sunday evening there is a group Zoom chat at 6:30pm. If your young person in the School Year 7+ age group would like to join us, then please let Dave Whymark know and he can give you the meeting code and also add you to the mailing list for other youth content.
There are also plans to care for our vulnerable members, with all encouraged to pray and give practical help where it is safe to do so. We don’t know how long this period of disruption and challenge will last but we know that God is with us and we are all here to support one another. Please see documents below from more information, and see also the Church of England website for further prayer resources.
Since the beginning of lockdown we've been running an electronic prayer group. This takes the form of a weekly email with a prayer activity, reflection or meditation idea, prayer starters, specific prayer requests and a prayer for the week - these have come from a variety of sources including the Church of England's coronavirus liturgy, Common Worship and the New Zealand Book of Common Prayer. If you'd like to sign-up for emails, please send your request to prayer@esherparish.org.uk and we'll add you to the list.
Finally, the Church of England has launched a 'Daily Hope' phone line which offers music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services from the Church of England all at the end of a telephone line. The line – which is available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044 – has been set up particularly with those unable to join online church services in mind during this period of restriction. Calls are free.
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94 v.19
