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‘Maureen’s Musings’
The Vicar’s monthly letter for the Parish News
February 2021
So some of my worst fears were realised… The numbers climbed steadily at the end of last year and beginning of this.
It soon became obvious to me that it would be really difficult to justify keeping St Chad’s open for public worship when everyone was going into a new lockdown and we were all being encouraged to stay at home as much as possible.
So, having consulted with the PCC, I regretfully decided that we would have to stop in-person worship in the interests of public safety.
Let me make it clear: it isn’t so much the actual services that I think are dangerous – not with the social distancing measures we have in place – but it is evident that it is impossible asking people not to mingle and socialise before and after a service. Given that we are all desperate for social contact, I am not surprised, and I hope you can all understand our reasoning.
Be assured that as soon as I feel it will be safe again, we will go back on Sundays and Wednesdays – but I doubt that will be before the end of February, and more likely March.
But the church building remains open for private prayer; please observe all the requirements to wear masks, mark where you have been sitting and try to avoid more than one person being inside the building at the same time. The only exception to this will be funerals where up to 30 people may attend for a service in church or at the Crematorium.
And of course, our online worship continues, and technology allows a wide range of people to get involved. If you haven’t been asked to take part recently and would like to do so, please get in touch! And naturally, if anyone has a prayer request or feels desperate to receive the sacrament, contact me and I will try to sort out something.
It feels so strange to have to tell you that the best way we can love our neighbour within our community is to stay as far away from each other as possible! But if anyone needs help of any kind, don’t be afraid to ask . . . there are many people anxious to help if they can.
And it is great to know that people have begun to receive the vaccination! I know that I will be keen to accept as soon as I get ‘the call’. You may have seen that our Cathedral in Lichfield has now begun acting as a mass vaccination hub? I was delighted to see the pictures and it emphasises how flexible a large indoor open space can be when not full of pews! (I will just leave that there! – I know that many will disagree with me.)
Lent begins in February. I am pretty sure that our usual Ash Wednesday services will not be able to be held in church, but – along with many colleagues around the country – I am looking at ways of making available ‘Lent in a bag’ resources for you to collect and use with your household ‘bubbles’.
Mothering Sunday was I think one of the first services that went online in 2020, so we are nearly at the year’s anniversary of this crazy time.
So, until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand. Stay safe; wear your mask; keep your distance; stay at home…
Every blessing,
Maureen.