My dear friends,
Thank you for your wonderful support of the Parish of Esher. Thank you that you are finding new ways to reach-out to each other and to those in need in our community. As Her Majesty the Queen said recently, ‘our streets are not empty, they are filled with the love and the care that we have for each other.’ Every act of kindness, every offer of practical support, and every prayer offered for others is a reflection of the divine light which enlightens us all.
Thank you too that you have enabled the worship life of the parish to continue online. Many have commented that the weekly audio services have inspired and sustained them in these past weeks. This would not have been possible without the participation of so many in leading prayers, reading lessons, and offering their musical talent in service to others.
Like all churches, our finances have been affected by the virus-related restrictions. Our weekly offerings gathered and presented during each Sunday service are, for the time being, suspended. I am acutely conscious that this loss of church income is nothing compared to the suffering of so many who, through no fault of their own, have lost financial security at this time. I’m mindful too of those who are devastated after losing a loved one, or having to cope with long term illness.
The PCC and I have been considering how to deal with the unique situation we, as a parish, find ourselves in, while also supporting our wider parish community. We have decided to put in place an ‘ONLINE OFFERTORY’ to support our church and also support those most in need.
Half of the total sums received each week in the ‘Online Offertory’ will go to maintaining the work and witness of the Parish of Esher and the other half will go to local charities working with the most vulnerable. For the next four weeks, that worthy cause will be Kingston Churches Against Homelessness (https://www.kcah.org.uk/), a charity which supports people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Supporting this organisation is especially poignant at the moment, as one of its founders, the Revd Peter Holmes, Vicar of St Peter’s Norbiton, died recently of COVID-19.
Can I ask you, please, to consider how you might be able to support this appeal? These are extremely challenging days for many people, and if you are not able to contribute financially at this time, please don’t feel under any pressure to do so. We value you for you – first, foremost and always (just like God does!).
God bless,
Darren.
If you would like to donate to the ‘Online Offertory’ you can do so here at our JustGiving page. Alternatively, you can use the form available on the parish website (http://esherparish.org.uk/?q=content/get-involved) or you can make a credit transfer to Esher PCC, Account no. 41150961, Sort Code 60-08-04 at NatWest Bank, Walton. Please include ‘Online Offertory’ in the reference details.
