Blog

A message from Andy and our churchwardens about re-opening St Saviour’s

You will be aware that the Government is beginning to relax the restrictions on churches being open. There are more than 35 pages of Guidelines with respect to opening of churches for Public Worship. These guidelines include
handwashing or sanitising on entry; social distancing of two metres (hence numbers attending would be limited to between 30-40); no singing; and Communion in a different way. How do you think these conditions would affect all of us in our desires to re-open St Saviour’s for Public Worship?

Furthermore, these Guidelines include advice to our over-70s and ‘shielded’ members to not attend Public Worship at present, although the
decision is left with the individual.

In addition, many of our younger adults are working in high risk areas. These people would be devastated if they passed the virus inadvertently to our older and more vulnerable members of the congregation. Since, we are not able to worship together as a whole congregation at present, we suggest that we don’t re-open for Public Worship at this time. But what about meeting in the church grounds?Unfortunately, services in our church grounds are subject to the same guidelines as in church buildings.

Hence, we are thinking that it is best not to re-open the church for Public Worship at this time. We will review this situation as and when guidelines change, and formally at a PCC meeting in September. But please, we would value questions and comments about this matter, which you can make via email (or letter) to the office, as the decision is not set in stone!

We are intending to continue our online worship services and introducing a greater variety of services. Why not watch a more formal Holy Communion service in the ‘9 am style’ on Sunday (led by Kelvin), as well as Messy Church services led by Caz, or youth events led by Jez.

In addition, for those that want to, we are thinking about meeting up via Zoom for ‘Fellowship on Sunday’ whilst drinking coffee in your own home
after our online Sunday morning service at say 11.45 am. Do let the office know if you would be interested in this.

We have made strenuous efforts to enable people to connect to these services, and those unable to do so receive a DVD or CD, as appropriate.
If you are aware of anyone having difficulties connecting, please let the office know. Similarly, if you have any thoughts about these matters,
please email the office.

In addition, we are planning to open the church for special ceremonies such as funerals and weddings, with numbers strictly limited to 30.

Furthermore, it is possible, by prior arrangement, to welcome 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 say some prayers. If you or someone you know would like to avail themselves
of this provision, please telephone 01202 425978 or email the office at office@stsaviours.net.

God bless

Andy McPherson, vicar, and the churchwardens

During the Covid-19 pandemic we have been continuing our pastoral care at St Saviour’s. In fact, our church pastoral care team has grown and has been caring in new and different ways.

Our prayer chain has been very active, not only praying for needs from our church family, but also for community needs, and specifically for our local hospital, the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, through links with the chaplaincy team and our local care homes.

We have been keeping connected through a new team, our ‘phone contacts group’, who have been contacting by telephone and writing letters to our 60 or so ‘shielding’ individuals and over-70s.

A group of fit and able people has been collecting shopping and medicines for members of the church family and delivering food parcels to those in particular need.

Those who have not been able to access the online services each week have been receiving CDs or DVDs to enable them to keep worshipping with us.

The pastoral care team has been meeting each month through Zoom. Pastoral needs have been reported to the team and we have found ways to give practical help.

Just recently the church has been opened by special arrangement with me to enable individuals and family groups to spend time in quiet reflection. If any one needs to access the church in this way, please let me know.

God bless

Andy McPherson, vicar, on behalf of the pastoral care team

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