NEWS and EVENTS

Zoom to Church!

As well as coming to church, you can participate in our church services via  Zoom during the current lockdown. Why not use Zoom to watch our Sunday 10.15 am service? The link is:

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/9158805689?pwd=OFBFY0d0MHkzdWk3SW10cHlWZHRtZz09

Meeting ID: 915 880 5689
Passcode: 6e9BKX

Please mute yourself while watching the service

Dear Parishioner,                                                                                                 8^th March 2021

REOPENING OF ST MARY’S CHURCH FOR PUBLIC WORSHIP FROM SUNDAY 14^th MARCH (Mothering Sunday)

At long last, this is the good news we have all been waiting for.  Following the Government’s relaxation of lockdown from today and the Lancashire Directors of Health advice that it is now safe to resume communal worship and prayers, it enables us to reopen church for public worship.  Our weekly pattern of services will resume as usual.

SUNDAYS:

              8.15am               Holy Communion – Order Two

              10.15am             Holy Communion – Order One.  This service will also continue to be streamed on Zoom  

THURSDAYS:

              9.30am               Holy Communion – Order Two

However, the following COVID 19 restrictions still apply and must be observed:-

• 30 chairs will set out two metres apart but families living in the same household can sit together. Please liaise with the churchwarden if it is necessary for any chairs to be moved.
• Face masks must be worn at all times in church by everybody over 11yrs of age unless they are legally exempt.
• There will be a one-way system in operation – entry via south porch and exit via the west porch under the tower.
• Hands must be washed using the sanitiser provided both on entry and exit from church.
• A record of those who attend will have to be kept for test and trace purposes using the sheet on the table on entry.
• The order of service booklet will be on every chair but we encourage you to bring your own copy I you attend the 10.15am service.  This was circulated as an attachment to previous emails sent out to parishioners.  All church copies will then be quarantined for 48 hours before being able to be used again.
• Church doors will be left open during each service for circulation, so please dress appropriately to keep warm.
• Services will be shorter than usual and at the 10.15am there will be no singing so no hymn books will be available.
• The only sacrament offered will be the bread and the celebrant will visit each person and offer the communicant the bread at arm’s length wearing a face mask. 
• Once the service finishes leave any church orders of service on your chair. People must not gather and should leave the church keeping two metres apart as soon as possible via the west door near which the alms plate will be placed.
• The Directors of Health strongly advise that nobody should gather outside but to go home straightaway.
• No refreshments (food and/or drinks) will be available.
• Toilets will not be available unless it is an emergency.
• There will be no physical contact between individuals and social distancing should be maintained at all times.  

We hope that further relaxing of these restrictions will take place as per the government’s road map as the risk factors continue to reduce. I will keep you all informed of developments together with details of when other services such as baptisms, weddings and funerals can be held.

With every blessing - Your Vicar Chris

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION

In line with Government guidelines, we can re-start our Christian Meditation group   We meet every Wednesday evening at church from 6.30 pm. The meetings last for 30-45 minutes. All are welcome.
Please note that face masks must be worn, social distancing must be maintained and hand sanitizers must be used both on entering and leaving church.

No meeting this coming week 21st April

Church Electoral Roll

A GDPR compliant 'names only' version of the Electoral Roll is available here

GIVING AND DONATIONS

Since the lockdown started it has been  difficult for parishioners to maintain their giving through the collection plate although many parishioners  make their giving using Direct Debit or Standing Order. If you feel you would like to help St. Mary's financially please would you send an e-mail to info@penwortham-stmary.co. uk.  We will contact you to discuss which methord you woud prefer, from a one-off donation to regular giving.

RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN

Our Diocesan Board of Education (DBE) staff are continuing to produce some outstanding resources that can be used by parents at home.

• ‘Off the Shelf’ RE resources which can be used by parents in the home.
• Bible Podlets is a Bible Study and Discussion Podcast for adults to do with primary aged children. There are currently 8 episodes available to listen to, with the next episode released this Friday. The theme is ‘Bible Transformers,’ focussing people in the Bible who were transformed by Jesus.
• The Weekly@ Lectionary resources which can help families to worship at home are on the DBE Facebook page along with lots of other great ideas. 
• Finally, there is a Pinterest account with inspiration on activities for Easter, Pentecost and Ascension.

ON LINE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORSHIP

• Bishop Jill will lead ‘9am Worship from the Diocese of Blackburn’ this weekend. It will be released at 9am on Sunday on the Diocesan YouTube channel. But you don’t have to watch it then – it is available from that time onwards.
• There will also be an act of worship offered by the Cathedral on Sunday morning. Simply go to their website and follow the links.
• The Worship at Home resource is again available via the website to download and email or send on to members of your congregation.
• For further information about parish streamed services (and churches using digital in our Diocese in other ways) start by going to this page on the A Church Near You website.

HELP PENWORTHAM

Will Adams and his brother have created a website called #HelpPenwortham with the aim of:

1. Allowing  vulnerable residents to view what food and other delivery and collection services are available locally, to reduce stress and anxieties. 

 2. Ensuring  our local businesses and economy can continue through this very difficult period, ensuring they can come out of this period still as vibrant as before. 

Browse our list of local businesses in Penwortham, South Ribble and Preston. Order food or other vital items for delivery or collection. Shop local and help to ensure the Penwortham and South Ribble economy emerges as diverse and vibrant as before.

Visit https://www.helppenwortham.com/

CHURCH MAGAZINE

For the first time in over 150 years we will not be printing a hard copy of our church magazine for distribution to our parishioners.  We will however continue to compile it and publish it online.  You can view our latest edition from the top of this page.