Vicars letter

July 2021

Click for the Vicars letter from June 2021

Taking our foot off the accelerator

To quote Boris Johnson, this four-week delay for the lifting of Covid restrictions isn’t ‘putting the brakes on’, it is ‘taking the foot off the accelerator’! You’ve got to love politicians, trying to put the best possible spin on something that none of us really wanted. I guess it is the right thing, but I do feel for the hospitality and entertainment industries particularly. I am pleased though that we had not introduced a different service pattern based upon all restrictions being lifted on 21 June; we now haven’t got that to ‘undo’.

On a positive note, Cakes and Chaos re-opened in June, much to the delight of many parents of babies and toddlers, and the current foot-off-the-accelerator changes have not impacted on this; we will continue to meet weekly in the church (up to 30 people allowed, excluding those ‘working’) and provide a much-needed sanity-break and outlet for parents (and grandparents, and carers).

Also on a positive note, it seems that we can now hold weddings within the ‘Covid-safe limit of the church building’, rather than a maximum of 6, 15, or 30 people attending, depending upon whichever limit has been in place at the time over the past 15 months. Numbers attending a funeral are unaffected by the announcement of 14 June.

We are still, however, awaiting guidelines and advice on the return to congregational singing in any of our services. The latest piece from the Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally (Chair of the Church of England’s Coronavirus Recovery Group), said that she “will continue to press for ongoing appraisal of choral and congregational singing”. I cannot see it being permitted until at least 19 July now, at any indoor church services, I so look forward to the when we can worship by all singing together.

There is another very positive piece of news: Revd Ylva Blid-Mackenzie is due to be ordained as a priest on 3 July. This will be in a service (with limited attendees unfortunately) at Holy Trinity Church in Folkestone. Please think of Ylva and hold her in your prayers as she takes this very exciting, and scary, step of faith. If you wish to be at the service, it is being streamed live; the link is: www.zoom.us/j/91887117748 and it is due to start at 12noon. Ylva will tell you all about it in next month’s letter.

In the meantime, keep valuing the importance of your family and friends. Don’t put the brakes on seeing them, just take your foot off the accelerator a bit.

Revd David Commander, Rector

T: 01580 240658 E: david@dc-uk.co.uk