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On Monday 12 July Boris Johnson explained the way in which our country will cautiously begin ‘opening up’ society on so-called ‘Freedom Day’, Monday 19 July. However, freedom for some will also create more anxiety, isolation and a sense of imprisonment for others. This has been expressed to me by members of the congregation who have said on the one hand, ‘we won’t be back at church until we don’t have to wear masks’ and on the other, ‘when we begin to meet without masks, I will need to go back to online services because of my need to shield’. Hence, it is not easy creating a strategy that meets everyone’s requirements. However, this is our proposed plan.

Sunday 10.30 am

From 25 July people will not be required to book to come along to church – we are open for all! However, the setting at church will be slightly different from normal. Chairs will spread throughout church – not socially distanced, but separated. If you want to bring them closer to make ‘bubbles’ that is fine. Also, there will be a reasonable distance between the front row of chairs and the platform area.

People will still be encouraged to ‘gel’ on entry, but it is your choice whether or not to mask. Some of you who do not like wearing a mask may choose to wear one for the sake of others. Also, there will be an area within church that everyone who wishes to wear a mask will be able to sit, giving reassurance to those wearing masks that they are amongst like-minded people, but naturally if mask-wearers want to sit with the non-mask wearers that is fine. Also, windows (and doors where possible) will be open to ensure good ventilation and the church is regularly receiving a ‘Covid-clean’. All these arrangements are designed to give as many as possible confidence in coming to church and so as to ensure people feel welcomed and safe.

Now here is the big news – all of us are free to join in with the praise and worship led by the worship group. Also, in time, we will be offering a Sunday morning Holy Communion service as well.

Midweek Communion

For the time being, Wednesday 9.30 am Holy Communion will continue as an alternative to the 9 am Holy Communion on Sundays. Usually, this will come from Common Worship liturgy, but occasionally, perhaps monthly, we will use the Book of Common Prayer. People will still be encouraged to ‘gel’ on entry, but it is your choice whether or not to mask. In general, this service will include music, including, hymn singing.

Online services

Please be assured that for the time being online services will continue to be available, but we do hope to see as many of our church family together again soon, so that St Saviour’s may continue in its mission as an outward looking, active and healthy church.

If you have any questions or suggestions about these plans, please do let me or the churchwardens know.

God Bless.

Andy McPherson, vicar

Christie Murphy gives us individual stories from the work of ICN

Many of you know that I work for International Care Network (ICN), a local Christian charity that helps refugees and other vulnerable migrants. We welcome, love and serve them in the name of Jesus. Our goals are that they will settle well and become productive parts of the community, and that they will have a chance to hear the gospel. I spend a lot of my time teaching English. 

Instead of facts and figures, let me tell you today about three people that I know, who are or have been my students. I hope these individual stories will make the work more real to you. 

1. Abdul: in UK two months, 17 years old, Afghan 

This boy came into my beginner English class three weeks ago. He never had the chance to go to school in Afghanistan. He had almost no English, but is friendly and bright, working hard, and is making good progress. 

Last week he said a lot in a few words. It was during a class break, and we were alone in the room. 

Me:  You look tired.  
A: (Troubled face) No good sleep. 
Me: Why? 
A:  (He waves his hands around his head – troubled thoughts? Nightmares?) Afghanistan bad, very bad.  I see father, brother… (He points to the floor and stares down, as if still seeing their bodies. Then he remembers the word.) Dead. 
Me: Oh, I’m so sorry. Taliban? 
A: Ta-li-ban. (He says the word slowly, heavily.) 
Me: Your mother? 
A: No contact mother. Sisters.  
Me: Why? 
A: House. Fire. Mother, sisters, small brother… dead? (He shrugs, he doesn’t know what happened to them.) 
I am silent, sharing his grief. 
A: England, good … no family, bad. 

2. Esra: in UK four years, 33 years old, Syrian, she’s a force of nature

Raising three sons to be hard-working, compassionate, honest, respectful.

Caring for disabled husband.

Working in her profession – hairdressing.

Progressing in learning English at the college, learned to drive. 

Studied and passed the lituk exam, required for citizenship. 

Finds joy in running and volunteering at parkrun. 

Supports a local charity by weekly cooking hot meals for 50 homeless people in her own kitchen, involving her children in the project. Also gives free haircuts to the homeless. 

She is constantly thankful and cheerful. 

3. Mohammed: in the UK six years, 55 years old, Iraqi Kurd

Mohammed is here with his wife and two adult sons, who are in business together renovating houses. Mo was a farmer in Iraq, and here he has a honey production business. After starting out with a few hives in his tiny Charminster garden until the neighbours complained, he now has 30 hives on a piece of land near the New Forest. Mo and his wife are plugging away at learning English – it never comes quickly to older people. They grieve the life they lost more than younger people do. But they are very glad to be safe, and together, and they are settling well.  

Seeking refuge

Every June there is a global refugee week, and there is a special photo exhibit called Seeking Refuge that I really encourage you to go and see to understand more of the lives of those who have settled here. It’s at the Boscombe Arts Depot in the pedestrian precinct, between Boots and the Sovereign Centre. It is open every day this week, through to next Sunday and is free.   

Seeking Refuge is a photographic project that shows images and words from the lives of refugees and migrants currently seeking asylum and living in Bournemouth revealing their lives not from afar, but from the inside. 

This exhibition will introduce you to seven people who left places as diverse as Syria, Venezuela and Sudan and with lives as varied as a secondary school headteacher, a photographer with his own studio, and a student at school.  

We learn what people were escaping from and what rich and full lives they left behind. 

Christie Murphy, ICN

Christine Moyes gives an urgent appeal on behalf of our church family in Uganda

I was so grateful to hear Uganda mentioned in prayers in our Sunday services last week. Our church family there is currently in crisis as COVID 19 numbers of positive cases and deaths are rising and there has been no rainfall due to climate change, so the first harvests have failed. Many are subsistence farmers and face the prospect of, at least, severe hunger and, at worst, famine. The country is now in a 42-day lockdown with schools closed and everyone told to remain at home. Non-food markets are closed, so there is little opportunity to raise income from selling goods. The whole country is affected, but rural areas such as Teso are feeling the impact strongly. In the south of the country, Justus and his family are struggling with no income. The family are currently surviving on beans and potatoes.

The Teso Development Trust (TDT) is expecting requests for relief aid to be received in the very near future, but with our income lower now, there is concern that the level of support we can give will be limited. Could I please ask if you are able to help? I know many here are facing hardship, but anything you can give will be so appreciated. Every £1 will help to save lives. Our money can buy so much more in Uganda. As an example, Justus requires £25 to feed his family for a whole week. I am working to gain some support here also through this more difficult time.

If you are able to help, could I ask you to please pledge your level of support. Donations can be made in person at church, via the church letter box (by the Link entrance), or online. Whichever method you choose, please indicate ‘Famine Appeal’ on your giving.

Uganda is not alone in this, with more than 30 million people in 20 countries affected in the same way. It is only right that we respond especially when our own church family is suffering. Thank you.

‘Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40

Christine Moyes, churchwarden and Secretary of Teso Development Trust

Clare Shearing looks for the ‘good’ as she says ‘goodbye’ for the time being

‘There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.’ Ecclesiastes 3 :1

As this verse expresses so poetically, we go through many different times and seasons in our lives. As I leave my work as communications officer and enter a new period of caring for my mother, it is reassuring to know that exiting one season allows us to enter a new one, and that this is all part of God’s plan. For me, this change gives rise to a huge range of emotions: much sadness to be relinquishing a role I have loved; gratitude for all the ways it has allowed me to serve the Lord and the church family at St Saviour’s; but also surrender to and confidence in God’s promises and for His purposes to be fulfilled. So, though ‘goodbye’ is difficult, I find myself trusting the Lord, both for myself and my family, and for St Saviour’s.

‘Goodbye’ and ‘thank you’ often seem to be companions, words that go hand in hand as we move on through life. My particular ‘thank yous’ go to the staff team: to Andy and Mel for all the confidence and trust that they have vested in me; to Caz, Phil, and Jez (and Nathan before him), as well as former office friends, Kerry and Tanja. But really my gratitude extends to the whole church family at St Saviour’s – so many of you have supported from behind the scenes, or brought me a cuppa, or given encouragement and a friendly word. I feel very appreciative of and grateful to you all for your support and forbearance over the years!

Please be praying for the right person for this role in this new phase in St Saviour’s church life, and for Andy and the rest of the staff team as they continue to work so diligently in His service. They really are an amazing bunch of people, and serve so tirelessly.

I admit it is difficult to find the ‘good’ in ‘goodbye’ when there are so many people and memories that make it tough, but perhaps it is a bit easier as we learn to let go and let God. My next step is not an easy one, but it’s the season that God has called me into, and I find that I trust the Lord, both for myself and my family, and for St Saviour’s. As Dr Seuss says, ‘Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.’ Goodbye for the time being, and thank you!

Clare Shearing, church communications officer

Caz Gatehouse has exciting news about our children’s groups

Zoom groups and meetings, filming, editing: all things I would never have thought of as being part of my work. To be honest, I had never heard of Zoom before the pandemic got underway!! And whilst I would be the first to agree that none of these things beat seeing people face-to-face, I am grateful for the access we have had to technology (as frustrating as it is at times!) to be able to keep in touch and ‘see’ each other over these long 15 months of lockdowns and restrictions!

Baby and toddler group

But as the restrictions are easing it’s great to be starting to get back to meeting up in person! Our toddler group has been going for a few weeks, now in a slightly different form. We call it Toddler Group Meet-up and meet outside, if the weather is good, or in the Link. Over the 15 months the babies have become toddlers and the toddlers have started school!! We look forward to welcoming new families into our toddler group over the coming weeks and months!

Sunday morning groups are coming back!

Our Sunday children’s work is due to get underway soon! We will start after half term, on Sunday 13 June, with a party-style session to welcome everyone back!! It will be so good to see you all!!

As we continue to have to follow the guidelines, you will need to book a place for your children by sending me an email to caz@stsaviours.net or a text message to 07948 799332. This is so we can set out tables and chairs and have resources all ready in advance. Adults will need to wear face masks. Any parents who may want to stay in with their children (especially those younger children who may be a little unsure of coming at first) need to book a place for themselves as well. To begin with, we will just have two groups, one in the upstairs hall and one downstairs.

Join the team

Our team is a little depleted at the moment so we are looking for people to join us! So if you have a passion to share with others about Jesus and to help our children to walk in his ways, then please do get in touch to find out how you can get involved!

Messy Church

Messy Church will continue online at the moment, largely because we now need to rebuild a team!! Though, during the summer, I am planning to do a couple of ‘Messy Meet-Ups’. This will be a social time to meet up in the church garden – bring your own picnic and we will play a few games and give out craft bags. The crafts will link to the story and theme of the online session. Look out for dates and times of these – when the weather gets more settled!

Prayer points

Please pray for those involved in the children’s work, for others to come forward to join the teams, and especially for the children and families as they get back into the rhythm of ‘coming to church’ again!!

Caz Gatehouse, children’s minister

Carol Allen shares the importance of DBS checks in protecting our church family

‘”For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”‘ Jeremiah 29:11

Near the beginning of this year, I took over from Joy Bendell as the DBS officer for St Saviour’s. For those of you who don’t know, DBS stands for the Disclosure and Barring Service, previously known as the Criminal Records Bureau. Those of us who work with vulnerable adults and/or children are required to have one of these completed and for the purposes of the Church of England, as do all members of the PCC as overseers of the organisations within the church. My role in this is to organise the completion of these checks for all lay members of the church and to keep the records of when they are due, up to date. The clergy are covered by the diocesan DBS officer.

‘Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.’ Teresa of Avila

In the Jeremiah passage God has great plans for all of us, adults and children alike. He wants us to prosper, to go into the world with confidence. Sadly, this is not the case for all. We have all heard reports and seen on our television cases where both children and vulnerable adults have not seen God’s hands, eyes, feet and body in people. Anything but. They have not gone into the world with hope and confidence in the future or experienced love, care and compassion in their daily lives.

The DBS check covers criminal records, unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings. The enhanced, which we have, gives the authorities the ability to check whether there is anything specific for the roles applied for. This is one tool we have to keep our most vulnerable members as safe as possible, so that God’s plan for them is prospered and not harmed and they can face the world with confidence and resilience.

Carol Allen, DBS officer