At last there are signs of hope. Many will now have received their first vaccine and locally infection rates are much lower then when we decided to close for Public Worship.
After consultation with the PCC we are reopening this Sunday, Mothering Sunday, 14th March and unless advised, will continue to be open. St. Francis will open this coming Thursday, 18th March, Some will be ready to return but others will still be wary, and that’s fine. Looking at the Government Road map I will be able to visit for Home Communions from 17th May.
I will send out details for Holy Week nearer the time along with Palm Crosses, but the plan is to stream a service for Maundy Thursday, open St. James for Good Friday and celebrate Easter at St. Francis on Saturday evening and St. James at the normal time on Easter Day.
Restrictions still apply with social distancing and face masks, no congregational singing and choir limited to three! I don’t foresee that we will be able to sing until restrictions end, but hopefully I will be proved wrong.
Looking ahead, weddings only slowly increase numbers allowed – at present still 6, and afternoon baptisms can restart with a maximum of 30 from 17th May. If any of you have family or neighbours asking about weddings and Baptisms please pass this information on.
News around town is that Revd. Robin Ham is now priest-in-charge of St. Pauls as well as minister in charge of Grace Church. Jonathan Elvey has been licensed as a reader based at St. Mary, Walney. We are still stretched with the interregnum at Walney and Barrow Island, and Fr. Carl is still unwell and unable to minister across the South Barrow team.
In this are the materials for the Vision Refresh Lent Course.
Keep safe
Fr. Jack.