We have decided to re-start Public Worship on Palm Sunday, the 28th March.
8.00am Holy Communion at Hampton
9.30am Parish Eucharist at Hampton.
The procedure in Church will be the same as we have become used to with social distancing and use of masks etc. Communion will be in one kind (only the wafer). I think we can have confidence that this has worked well. Please refrain from gathering in groups before and after the Service. The day will come when we can mingle together and enjoy refreshments. But for the moment there is a little way to go. For those of us who have received our first Vaccine jabs this is a big step towards a return to normal life and gives hope for the future. We are in great appreciation of the NHS for the speed of the Vaccine rollout. At each stage of the government’s lockdown exit strategy we will review what can be safely changed.
Holy Week will be more minimal in the range of Services offered. There will be Holy Communion on Tuesday 10am at Bengeworth, Wednesday 10am at Hampton, Maundy Thursday 7pm at All Saints. On Good Friday there will be no procession of witness through the town. In the afternoon there will Services at 2pm at Bengeworth, Hampton and Sedgeberrow. There will be a Service on the Saturday 4pm at Hampton for children. Easter Day will follow the normal rota pattern.
If you feel unable to return to Church at the present time then please contact the Benefice Office for Palm Crosses and Communion Wafers. We would like to keep in touch. Caryl is there on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday each week. Fairfield Church will continue their Services online until September.
As we re-start our Worship we pray that we may all seek the renewal of our Church as we ponder the pandemic and the effect it has had on our lives. We enter Holy Week knowing that our Lord understands suffering and despair. The Cross is a symbol of love and hope for our World that He is with us whenever we gather together. May you know the presence of the risen Lord.
Mark Binney
Rector