Rector’s Newsletter 20th June 2021
Dear friends
I recall in the early days of the pandemic spending a lot of time on zoom with one of the Bishop’s PAs who was acting as secretary to one COVID response group that I was chairing. It was only after many online encounters that I thought to ask him in passing where he actually was? I discovered to my surprise that the whole time I had been interacting with him, he had been staying with his parents in Surrey. Few anecdotes sum up quite so well how much some of our working lives have changed. We were planning how best to support the neediest people in Coventry to safeguard them against the ravages of the virus, but in his case from over 100 miles away.
I share this so that you might understand mine and Fran’s thinking with regard to our home in Tywyn. It was my plan to visit regularly (I have never been sure about how regularly), travelling over on a Wednesday night, working from there on Thursdays and Saturday mornings, while enjoying our day off together on Fridays by the seaside or in the mountains, before travelling back on Saturday afternoon ready for Sunday. I am hopeful that this will work because technology means it doesn’t really matter where someone is if you are going to meet with them on zoom, telephone or email them. Nevertheless, it is important that you all understand that while I may not be readily available on Fridays, I remain ready to talk or correspond on Thursdays and Saturdays as much as if I were in the Deanery. After all, Tywyn has a better Wi-Fi signal than Habberley or Shelve!
Church Café at Minsterley
The PCC at Minsterley would like to reopen the church café in the autumn. Historically, the café has been much appreciated by locals and has been important in providing an opportunity for isolated people to experience community. We believe we have a reasonable stock of volunteers, but what we don’t have is a coordinator, someone to take responsibility for the overall running of the café. This is a role that might be shared by two people potentially. If you would like to know more, please speak to Greg or one of the churchwardens at Holy Trinity.
Alpha
We are planning a Deanery Alpha taster over the summer for anyone who thinks they might like to take part in an Alpha course or invite a friend along, but don’t quite know what they might be letting themselves in for. Further details available from Mark Hackney at mark.hackney@hereford.anglican.org
June 21st
We are going to go ahead with the “Welcome” service on Monday at 7 p.m. preceded by a buffet supper at 6 p.m. The government decision not to further lift restrictions means that there will be no congregational singing and face masks will need to be worn, but otherwise the service will unfold as planned. Do join us if you can.
Letterhead designer
Many thanks to Robert Pither who has come forward to offer his assistance.
Good Neighbours
Many thanks to those who have come forward to volunteer for Good Neighbours. There is still a pressing need for befrienders who will occasionally visit or telephone people living on their own. At present, the coordinator is unable to meet all the requests she is getting for a befriending service. If you feel you could spare an hour or so a week to befriend someone in Minsterley or Pontesbury, please let Greg know.
Colin Willcox
Many will be saddened to hear of the death of Colin Willcox, a former PE and geography teacher at Mary Webb following a long battle with cancer. The only way we feel we can sensibly manage this and any other large funeral that takes place at St George’s under COVID restrictions is by reserving seats for the family and then counting people into a capacity of 120. Anyone arriving after that limit has been reached will be invited to stand outside.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens
Let your glory be over all the earth
Psalm 57.11
