St.Martin of Tours
Chelsfield, Kent
Church Road, Chelsfield, BR6 7SN
© 2020 Chelsfield PCC
Charity Number 1131573
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Welcome
Weekly Letter, Prayers & Notices - pdf: 27 Mar
Rectors Weekly Letter - Link: 29 Mar
Staying In Touch - Link: 22 Mar
Recording of our Services - Link: 29 Mar
A walk in the Churchyard - Link: 22 Mar
29 March 2020 PASSION SUNDAY
Dear Friends,
As the Covid -19 virus tightens its grip on our nation and community even more stringent conditions are being placed on churches as well as individuals.
The Archbishops and Bishops of the Church of England have urged everyone to follow the instructions given by the Prime Minister to stay in their homes in a national effort to limit the transmission of the coronavirus (Covid-19). The Archbishops have also instructed the clergy to refrain from attending church buildings for worship.
The Church continues to be alive and active, but our buildings must close as the UK is seeing a huge increase in the number of people falling sick with COVID-19. We must distance ourselves from one another and prevent the spread of infection in order to save lives. Therefore, as well as public worship being suspended, all church buildings in Country are now closed.'
This means that from today the doors of St Martin’s must remain shut. But as Bishop James reminds us – though the building may be closed the church remains alive and active. Here are our current plans:
Worship – I will continue to pray daily on your behalf, though this may be from the newly appointed ‘St Martin’s Chapel’ (formerly known as the rectory dining room). The times given below are for our ‘Community Worship’ when I shall pray and praise on your behalf.
Sunday 10.00am Holy Communion
Monday 9.30am Morning Prayer
Tuesday 11.30am Holy Communion
Wednesday 9.30am Morning Prayer
Thursday 7.00pm Evening Prayer
Friday 11.30am Holy Communion
Saturday 9.30am Morning Prayer
We hope to add to our video worship accessed via this website, though we are now prevented from recording in the church.
Weekly newsletter – will still be produced but available only via this Web site and will include readings and prayers and a thought for the week..
Prayer – if you have specific prayer requests or wish to have a candle lit for a suffering loved one, please provide me with brief details and I will act on your behalf.
Private Prayer – can now only be done at home. Please make use of the many resources available.
Magazine – we are no longer permitted to produce printed material but will endeavour to provide material as an email attachment to those who would like it, Hopefully monthly. Please continue to share stories and messages.
Our Lord’s Summary of the Law reminds us of the way forward:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength . . . Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”
To protect the vulnerable amongst us, please do not leave your home except as authorised by the Government.
I remind you that you may call me at any time for prayer or a chat, and please let me know if you have any bright ideas about how we might develop our ministry in these difficult times.
Please do refer regularly to the church website www.stmartinchelsfield.org.uk for updates. If you have any pastoral needs, or are anxious and need prayer please contact Rev John at the Rectory on 01689 825749
or rector@stmartinchelsfield.org.uk
Rev John
Rev John Tranter
Rector
