Message from Father Andrew

A Message from Father Andrew

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Lockdown

God of compassion,

be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation.

In their loneliness, be their consolation;

in their anxiety, be their hope;

 in their darkness, be their light;

 through him who suffered alone on the cross,

but reigns with you in glory,

Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

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We are now into our fourth week in lockdown and entering the fifth week. To say that life is strange would be an understatement. We have all had to adjust how we live our lives daily.

 

For many if not most of us the difficulty lies in our lack of social contact. Whilst some can go to the shops where we will see others, there are many who may see no-one during any given day.

 

However, like me I expect many in Resolven if not within the parish boundaries are watching on BBC 1 on Monday evenings the programme called Lockdown; a programme which has our very own Ross (autographs will be given after the crisis is over for those forming an orderly queue) my words not his.

 

As we watch those people who are participating in this programme, it has I hope helped us all to realise the seriousness of what is happening in the world at this time; at a more human level, whilst also keeping us amused (the Davies family from Swansea in particular).

 

In a way this programme shows our helplessness but, in another way, it shows our capacity for goodness, our compassion for others. This week I watched a colleague from Llantwit Major lock the doors of his church and walk away, however, I know that although he has had to walk away from a building like all of us who minister we have not walked away from church.

 

Our role may have changed, we no longer see many of those who live alongside us in the parish face to face, but we have found new ways mixed with old ways of staying in touch. I speak with so many of the congregation from all 3 churches during the week by phone. I also know that they in turn keep in contact with each other.

 

I am learning how to use aspects of social media I had not used before. Each Sunday I place a pre-recorded message on the parish Facebook page, I through the help of a colleague to join with their parish to form a zoom ministry area where some of our regular worshippers zoom in so to speak. We also hold a zoom coffee morning on a Friday at 10.30.

 

The church is alive in this place even though its buildings are closed. The community needs each other more than ever and I believe it is once again finding itself. From the stories that I hear from those telephone conversations I have daily people are reaching out for each, looking out for each other, caring for each other. What I see in the communities that I serve here in this parish is a God who alive and well and showing his face of love through each one of you.

 

If you feel the need to just have a chat about anything or nothing, then please feel free to give us a call 01639 711657.

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Lord Jesus Christ,

you taught us to love our neighbour,

 and to care for those in need

as if we were caring for you.

In this time of anxiety, give us strength

to comfort the fearful, to tend the sick,

and to assure the isolated

of our love, and your love,

for your name’s sake.

Amen.

___

 Father Andrew.

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