14 February 2021

St Thomas à Becket

Parish Weekly News Sheet

Sunday 14th February 2021

Sunday before Lent

10.30 am Morning Zoom Service

THE BUILDING IS ALSO OPEN FOR PRIVATE PRAYER

We are open on Sundays 12.00 noon – 4.00pm

and Wednesdays 10.00am – 12.00 noon

Collect

Holy God,

you know the disorder of our sinful lives:

set straight our crooked hearts,

and bend our wills to love your goodness

and your glory

in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Please pray for those who are ill

Darren Harris

Barbara Kirby

Karen Goodall Brown

Bob Hancock

We remember those whom we know,

who are suffering in sickness or adversity,

and those who especially need our prayers at this time.

Also the families of those who have died.

Our church building is open for Private Prayer

Whenever you come to our church building, for private prayer or a service these are the things we need you to do to keep safe and within the guidelines.

Sanitize your hands on entering the building and wear a face covering unless you are medically exempt.

Go straight to a place which is marked for sitting and stay there until you leave the building.

Observe 2m social distancing at all times from those who are not in your household.

Please use the slip of paper to record your presence at the service for test and trace, details will be given on the slip and in the notices

Enter the building through the South Door and leave the building via the West door.

Follow instructions on the distribution of communion, stay in your seat.

When you leave the building don’t block the exit door and other people’s paths (maintain the 2m social distancing). Do not pause in the church or the churchyard to speak to people, or take part in any other form of ‘mingling’.

Tea with the Vicar!

There will be two ZOOM ‘Tea with the Vicar’ slots next week, Wednesday 17th at 11.30 amand Thursday 18th at 4 pm. This has been organised in response to the current “lockdown”, and is an opportunity to catch up with Janet and friends. Please contact Janet for joining details on 744458 or email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and she will send out Zoom links to Email News on Monday.

Pause to Pray

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York are asking people to pause, pray and reflect on the enormity of the pandemic

to reflect on the lives lost and to pray for consolation of all those who have been bereaved
to thank God for the NHS and other services that have sustained our nation during this time
to continue to support and uphold each other in prayer.
They suggest that people pause, pray and reflect at 6pm each day.

Please see the Church of England’s website for further information: churchofengland.org

Ash Wednesday - 17th February

There will be a Zoom service on Ash Wednesday, 17th February, at 7.30 pm. All are welcome. And the Zoom login will be sent out in the usual way.

Lent Reflections

We are so pleased that Clair is again organising our Lent e-mail reflections again this year. If you would like to sign up for these email reflections – or if you could contribute one please contact her by email.

Hello from Teresa

I’m very much looking forward to spending some time within the Lidbrook group of churches and getting to know you during my time with you. I am a third year curate, serving my curacy in West Swindon alongside working as a part time primary school teacher.

I’ve been married to Nic for thirty-one years and we have three adult children and an eleven year old step-granddaughter who is our joy. We also have a young sheltie dog called Bladon.

During my placement, I will hopefully get involved in the life of the parishes as much as I am able, both within the services and in the community although initially this will have to be online. As part of my discernment process for after my curacy ends, I wish to gain experience in a multi-church/parish setting that is more rural than I am used to and I'm very grateful to Revd Janet for agreeing to let me join you from Lent through to the end of May. I'm excited to learn from you and worship with you.

With every blessing,

Teresa

Message from Christian Aid

As more of our family, friends, and neighbours receive their COVID vaccinations, we rejoice and are glad that our loved ones are protected. We give thanks for all the NHS staff and key workers who continue to save lives across the UK.

For the poorest and most vulnerable communities across the world, there is little hope of a vaccine rollout. These people already face a lack of water, food, and healthcare.

Some are homeless. Some are living with underlying health issues such as HIV.

Christian Aid is already on the ground, helping keep people safe from coronavirus with practical support – but with your gift of thanks we can do more.

Have you or your loved ones had your vaccine?

Please give thanks with a donation to help protect our global neighbours while the vaccine is out of reach.

https://www.christianaid.org.uk/give/ways-donate/give-thanks-your-coronavirus-vaccine

St Thomas à Becket Weekly Calendar

Sunday 14th February

10.30 am Morning Zoom Service

Wednesday 17th February

10.30 am Holy Communion

11.30 am Tea with the Vicar

7.30 pm Ash Wednesday Zoom Service

Thursday 18th February

9.45am Holy Communion at Colerne