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You will be aware that the Government is beginning to relax the restrictions on churches being open. However, there are still more than 35 pages of Guidelines with respect to opening of churches for Public Worship, and this includes advice to our over-70s and ‘shielded’ members to not attend Public Worship at present.

However, over the past week or so, by prior arrangement, I have been welcoming individuals or small family groups into St Saviour’s for a time of prayer or peaceful reflection, especially for those who are bereaved and wanting to ‘light a candle’ and say some prayers. If you or someone you know would like to avail themselves of this provision, please telephone 01202 425978, text my mobile, or email the church office: office@stsaviours.net.

In our Newsletter Special, coming out next week, there will be a fuller update on the opening of churches. Whether or not we open the church for Public Worship, until our whole church family are able to attend we are intending to continue our online services and extend the variety of services available.

If you have any thoughts about these matters, please email the office.
God bless,

Andy McPherson, vicar

‘Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain.’ Psalm 127: 1

Many of you know that my time at St Saviour’s has just come to an end and so I write this as a sad ‘so long St Saviour’s’ and ‘thank you’ all for the incredible love and support you have shown me.

As with any job, I was so nervous starting at St Saviour’s. This nervousness, however, didn’t last long. Kerry left the office in great shape, so it was ‘easy’ to slot in. Andy was always encouraging and supportive, Clare and Caz kind and helpful, and sooo pleasant to work with. Many of you came in to the office to introduce yourselves and it made me feel valuable, and as if I’d been here a long time. It’s been so good working for the church. I’d previously only worked for large corporate companies in London, so having a spiritual element to meetings and my work has been so enjoyable.

I must admit, I’m struggling with what to write as there is so much to say. Thanks for making me feel part of the family despite the fact that I worshipped elsewhere. Thank you for all the love and support you’ve shown me. Thank you for all the encouraging messages of support and prayers during Paz’s unemployment. Thank you for those serving in the Link who kept me going with caffeine and thank you to the staff team who I have really enjoyed working with.

Keep up the great work you’re all doing. So many of you serve, (often in quiet) and God sees it all and uses it all. Thank you Steve F, Chris T, Bev, Chris M, Sue, Lynne, the Hadleys, Brenda, Jayne, Penny, Laura, and so many more (hope I didn’t miss/offend anyone!) who have shown me what real servant hearts are like. I really felt challenged when I thought about how much I serve in my church and will certainly learn from you.

I leave with fond memories and will continue to pray for you. God says in Isaiah 55 verse 11: ‘It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.’ Keep on reading his word and serving those in your community because nothing you do comes back empty.

My last day was 30 June. I will visit with my St Saviour’s family one Sunday when normality resumes. Keep safe and God bless you all!

Tanja Patten, office administrator

Since lockdown began it has been a challenge to adapt our youth strategy to our current situation. However, it has been really encouraging that we have still been able to meet a couple of times each week online.

In particular, I found that Youth Alpha went really well as the video series lent itself nicely to watching together online. We intend (once things are back to normal) to meet together for an evening to follow up properly, and to give the young people an opportunity to ask any questions they didn’t feel they got to ask over the course.

Furnace online

Since Youth Alpha finished last week we have been thinking about what next! After chatting with the young people, we feel that they would benefit from a midweek catch up each week – Furnace online!

So, we’ve decided we’ll continue meeting together via Zoom on Wednesdays, at a slightly different time of 7-8pm. The Zoom code will remain the same (ID 635 654 9809), as will the password (if you need it please, contact me). The new format will be a relaxed space to share and ask questions, as well as to play some games together. Then we will watch a short video clip together at the end, as a sort of follow on from Youth Alpha, continuing to look at some of the basic principles in Christianity. Young people of all ages between 10 and 18 are welcome. We hope to see you there.

Jez Ferguson, youth minister

Pat Smart encourages us to go online with our generosity

We recently had a Finance Committee Meeting via Zoom, which seems to be the way of meetings at the present time. As you probably expect to hear, the church finances have taken a hit during this time of online services and no passing of the plate around, so to speak. But talking of going online, have you caught up with the fact that we now have another way that we can give to the church?

Give A Little Campaigns

‘Give A Little’ is a new way to give to St Saviour’s online using a credit or debit card. You can donate to the church’s general fund, or to a specific need (such as our church fabric fund for building repairs, or to support our youth and children’s workers). You can donate from £1 upwards, and gift aid if you are able. It’s really easy to use. All the details are on page 4 of this newsletter and on our website.

Quarterly accounts

The quarterly accounts show our income is down, but then so is some of our expenditure. This is mostly due to the much lower rate that we are paying to the Common Mission Fund (new name for Parish Share). But of course, other expenditure is slightly lower or the same, as heating, lighting, insurance, etc., still have to be paid, as do wages. However, we were able to claim some Government Furlough Support to keep our staff on full wages and their jobs secure, which we as a church felt was very important.

Giving to missions

As our World Mission Core Group has not been able to meet since February, no final decisions have been made as to who we will make our charity tithes to this year.

Fabric Fund

Following on from the fundraising events last year, it has been decided to get two or three quotes to renew our church ‘wedding’ doors in the coming year, and to repair some of the leaks in the roof (where possible). We will hold more fundraising events when it is permitted – but don’t forget all the ways you can now donate now without leaving your homes and worrying over social distancing!

Remember God loves a cheerful giver!

If you have any questions about giving please contact Pat Smart, Chris Thorpe or Nick Richards through the church office or email: finance@stsaviours.net

Pat Smart, treasurer

Our churchwardens, Bev and Christine, ponder on the lessons of lockdown

During the Covid 19 lockdown, your churchwardens have had two very different experiences. Bev had to go into shielded lockdown on 16 March. Christine, as a key worker, has continued to be active in the community. We’ve kept in touch through modern technology, but have both had to adapt to different ways of life.

Christine has had to adapt to new ways of working, with additional items of PPE, social distancing, and an increased workload. Bev has had to change from a busy life, with not enough hours in the day, to life within the confines of home and garden, with no social activity at all. We’ve both had to cope with limited contact with family. FaceTime is no substitute for hugs and cuddles with grandchildren!

But, over the past few months, God has taught us some valuable lessons, two of which have really resonated with us.

The Church is people and God has been showing His people how to work in new ways!

We love and value our church buildings and we are so blessed with these at St Saviour’s. But God has shown us how we can come together as a church family in new ways: through meetings and Priority 1 on Zoom, through online services, and many others. One of the highlights of the online services was at Pentecost, when so many of our church family were able to contribute to a great outpouring of joy and praise. We long for the day when we can meet and worship together again; when we can hug each other, shake hands during the Peace and share Holy Communion. But, even in lockdown, God has shown us that the Church is alive – a family that can reach out to each other and the wider community, a family that can still worship God and praise Him in all circumstances.

God is always with us!

Like many of you, we have both known God’s presence during these challenging few months. God has strengthened and protected Christine as she has been serving in the community. For Bev, when the days at home in lockdown have seemed endless and frustrating, God has spoken through a passage of scripture or a word or thought in the silence of a quiet time.
We don’t know how or when this pandemic will finally end, but we do know that God is in charge and He will use all our experiences in lockdown to help us grow as individuals and as a church family.

As the verses on the signage outside our church buildings say:

‘His banner over me is love.’ Song of Songs 2:4

‘I am still confident of this. I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.’ Psalm 27:13

With our love and prayers.

Bev Collum-Mills and Christine Moyes, churchwardens

A book review – ‘Left to their own devices’ by Katherine Hill

The digital revolution of the past 30 years has presented us with challenges not faced by previous generations. Whilst we must help our children/grandchildren make full use of digital technology, we must find new strategies to safeguard them from potential dangers. This book is subtitled ‘Confident parenting in a world of screens’ and is produced by Care for the Family, and now in its second edition. It’s a book for all parents and grandparents, indeed for anyone who has care and responsibility for children.

The book is written in an easy-to-read style and format, combining the seriousness of the subject with humour, and presenting subject matter with clear paragraph headings, interspersed with some fun cartoons. It covers such topics as: Too Much Screen Time?, Gaming, Social Media, Pornography, Sexting, On-Line Bullying, Grooming, Internet Addiction, and much more. It tackles head-on all the concerns and fears of parents in this current ‘world of screens’, as well as balancing these out with the positive benefits of the digital world.

A major challenge is how to achieve this when children know much more about digital technology than many parents! After setting the scene of what it means to be living in the digital world, subsequent chapters have an end section on What Parents Can Do, which gives some very helpful practical suggestions about strategies that parents can use to safeguard their children. One sentence that really struck me was ‘that our children are only as safe as the least protected of their friends’.

This is a valuable resource for everyone who is concerned for the protection of children in the world we live in today, and can be obtained from careforthefamily.org for £12.99.

Tony Blunden