An update from Rev Louise on the Benefice lockdown situation 

Rev Louise Vincer
Interim Priest in Charge
Chartham and Upper Hardres with Stelling
tel:  07913 843526

 
25th February 2021
 
Dear Friends
 
For the past seven weeks of lockdown we have been worshipping together as a benefice by zoom. Thank you to everyone who has taken part in this shared endeavour – especially those who have tried something new whether writing intercessions or bravely going into a zoom room full of people you didn’t know after the service, or downloading the service to share with others during the week. Thank you to those who have made this possible especially by connecting up the websites between the churches.
 
As promised in our letter of 7th January, I met with the wardens yesterday to review worship in our churches in the light of the new government roadmap for lifting lockdown restrictions.
We noted:

• Bishop Rose’s permission to suspend public worship until 28 March.
• The new government roadmap easing restrictions beginning with school phased returns on 8 March.
• The greatly reduced levels of coronavirus infection locally
• The increasing numbers of people now vaccinated nationally
• The desire within all congregations in the benefice to return to church for Sunday worship as soon as possible. 

It was agreed to start opening Upper Hardres and Chartham churches for worship after 8 March, where the wardens will advise about specific requirements needed to open the churches safely and in accordance with all necessary social distancing guidelines. The first Sunday for worship in Upper Hardres and Chartham churches will be 14 March – Mothering Sunday. We still don’t know how long it will be before social distance is relaxed further and we will continue to zoom and record services to enable the greatest possible access to fellowship and worship. Stelling will review worship arrangements at a later date.
 
Whilst we will all be delighted to be moving towards seeing one another again, can I encourage you to be aware that everyone will be experiencing many different emotions, among them thanksgiving, grief, anxiety, and joy. We will need to be especially sensitive to each other’s needs, giving space for people to process their feelings in the special space of the church building. We will need to look to Jesus Christ who in holding all things together offers a peace beyond our human understanding.
 
In these coming weeks it is really important that we don’t lose contact with each other. Can I encourage everyone to continue to pray for each other in the benefice as we face ongoing challenges. Please continue to build on the relationships you have made in lockdown as we look to a new and more hopeful time ahead for our communities.
 
Louise

on behalf of the Benefice Wardens Group
Cathy Arnold, Anne Barlow, Ros Browne, Pam Burgess, Angela Hirst & Robin Slowe