Warden’s blog, stardate 20/7/2020 (Day 123)

Hello to all my friends from St Peter’s and further afield. I hope you are all okay and keeping well. I have realised that it was some time since I had posted, so here goes.

We have now had two Holy Communion services back in the church building. There were around a dozen at each service and social distancing was straightforwardly maintained, communion was in one kind only and the “one way” system seemed to work well. We plan a Sunday morning Holy Communion at 10.30am from August 2nd. It will have in place the same social distancing and “one
way” system.

For those in the community who don’t feel ready to return to the building, the online services are to continue for the foreseeable future. Our said services will not change until there is some relaxation in the rules concerning singing. There is concern about the possibility for droplet dispersal with singing at present and so it has not been allowed yet. Also, as masks are to be worn in shops, it may well be that we will need to wear masks in church although this isn’t clear yet. We
await Church of England guidance.

The staff group have been meeting weekly. There is much to be done; our planning application continues, and we have had conversations with the planners, which have been helpful. We are not sure when this application will be considered though, and prayers would be helpful. The financial situation is still a challenge, but many thanks to all those folks who have responded to the call to help the church with an increase in giving, it is most gratifying to see. We are looking at ways of streaming our church services too. There are costs involved in providing the equipment, but we feel that this is a worthwhile plan as we don’t really know how long the present situation is likely to last. There are grant bodies that we are looking at that may help with this expenditure.

If you come into the church, you may notice that the gardens have had a tidy. They were getting somewhat overgrown and a little “weedy”, so they have had a tidy ready for the church to open and also the Keys Café. The “Keys” is open again and has signed up to the government scheme to encourage people to eat out. They are offering significant price reductions on food and non-alcoholic drinks on Mondays to Wednesdays, do give them a try.

As August approaches some of the clergy and staff are having holidays, however the office will remain open as usual and any requests for help or information can be directed through the parish administrator.

Jane and I have made it up to Whitby recently, mainly to check on our apartment, but we did take the opportunity to have walks along the cliffs for some sea air! I have to say, thankfully it wasn’t too busy, but social distancing wasn’t being practiced by all, which was disappointing. I wonder if people feel when they’re on holiday the virus is too!! I think there is such a fine balance between being careful and getting people out and the economy going again. I just hope people are going to be sensible.

As most of you know, Jane and I are Town season ticket holders, and we have had a difficult season in all kinds of ways. We sat and watched the last home game of the season from the comfort of our lounge, against West Brom. Amazingly we won 2-1 and have almost certainly retained our Championship status. Interesting though, as we won it meant that Leeds United were therefore promoted to the Premier league. I expect the Leeds fans were cheering for us too during the match, which must have been tricky for them!

Well just a few snippets for today, things do seem to be moving in the right direction, albeit slowly, and as the government allows, we will be beginning to hold services in church, hopefully with music and song before too long.

Please watch out on the website and social media for info as things have been changing.

Overall, though, keep well!

Today’s Collect:
Merciful God,
you have prepared for those who love you
such good things as pass our understanding:
pour into our hearts such love toward you
that we, loving you in all things and above all things,
may obtain your promises,
which exceed all that we can desire;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.