Dear Friends,
The view from the vicarage is a tantalizing one. When I look out of the vicarage window I see St Andrews Church, which reminds me of a lost world: of an open church, of services and the freedom to visit and go anywhere I want. But, not anymore. At the time of writing we have been in lockdown for a week and a half and I am finding the 1001 instructions and warnings about Covid 19 from my lovely wife, Pam, unbearable. Let me out! Apart from the funerals, visits to the shop and walks for exercise, the vicarage has been something of a prison. Don’t get me wrong, there is still a great deal to do, but it is mainly done on the laptop and on the ‘phone. I imagine that it will have been the same for you being in your own home. Maybe you are working from home. The Government’s directive, for the sake of the NHS, is that we stay at home and only make the occasional journey for food, medicine or exercise, when necessary. Life as we have known it has been changed beyond all recognition. Being able to pop out to a café seems like another life. Having to stay put is hard when you are used to going hither and thither with complete freedom and no fear of being stopped by the authorities. Thank goodness if we have a garden, but not everyone has one of those! It is harrowing to think what it must be like for the poor in India, for instance. Of course, it’s not all bad being at home. Even for those working from home there is more time to spend doing those jobs we have been putting off for so long as well as quality time with the children. At least in this time of confinement, Bramble has remained calm and seems to be particularly pleased to have us both at home so much more. Another positive side to all this - as I said in one of my recorded services on youtube and facebook - Covid 19 may have put us all into isolation, yet, we are surrounded by so much goodwill, kind people who want to do something to help and make contact with the isolated, older members of our community. Then I think of the people who are working to keep communal services going like food shops, utilities and the post, as well as our amazing National Health Service. We are conscious of the risks taken by people working in the NHS caring for the sick, when we hear of them falling ill or even dying from the disease. There is so much for which to be thankful. I am praying that you all keep safe, that those clever scientists will soon discover a vaccine to be made available to safeguard the world against the disease. If you haven’t already seen links to online services, then here is a reminder. Services from Holy Trinity and Acaster Malbis can be found on St Andrew’s Church facebook page by clicking here and on youtube by clicking here. There are also services on the Church of England’s Facebook page. You can find prayer resources that focus on the beauty of creation by clicking here. I finish with a prayer: Come, O Holy Spirit! Come, power of God and tender sweetness of God! Come you who are both motion and rest! Renew our daring, be our companion so that we may not feel lonely in this world. Create in us intimacy with God! We do not say any longer, as the Prophet said, “Come from the four winds” as though we did not yet know where you come from. We say, “Come, Sprit, from the pierced side of Christ on the Cross! Come on the breath blowing from the lips of the Risen Jesus!” AMEN Take care Chris PS: On Palm Sunday 5th April the Bishops of the Diocese of York (Bishop Alison of Hull, Bishop John of Selby, Bishop Paul of Whitby) will be offering short prayers at 12 noon, 4pm and 8pm, which you can join via Facebook (click here), or on Twitter (click here), or Vimeo (click here). If you can’t make the exact time, you can still watch the recording later. During Holy Week I shall be posting an online service of Stations of the Cross. Do watch the website!
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