FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS DAY
St Mary’s and St Andrew’s Worshipping Together
A very warm welcome to all our visitors today
Readings:
Genesis 1; Psalm 92: 1-2, 11-14; John 1: 1-9; Gospel: John 20: 1-8
A Very Happy Christmas
A Very Happy Christmas to you all on this first Sunday after the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you to all who attended our Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, which was indeed a joyous occasion. My thanks go to Bishop Anne who presided and preached and to all who contributed during the service.
New Government Guidelines
Now that the new Government Guidelines are in place with effect from the 26th December, we are now only allowed a maximum of 20 people during any one service, which includes clergy, organist, sacristan and steward(s). So effectively that brings us down to 16, this number also includes children. This is an increasingly difficult time for everyone; however, we have no choice but to acquiesce accordingly until the new variant strain of the Covid virus is brought under control. It is therefore absolutely essential that should you wish to attend our services, you MUST let me know so that I can control the numbers.
Suspension of Wednesday Holy Communion and Friday Morning Prayers
In order that we as a Church can ‘do our bit’ to minimise any possibility of cross-infection, I will be suspending our Wednesday Holy Communion and Friday Morning Prayer’s with immediate effect. The numbers at these services are low, but I need to minimise the use of public worship as best I can in the current circumstances. The guidelines are initially in place for three weeks after which a further assessment will be made.
Sunday Zoom Brunches continue
The Sunday Zoom Brunch meetings will of course continue, the access details of which can be found in the emailed version of this newsletter.
We remember Dr Frank Bowser-Riley
We remember in our prayers today, Dr Frank Bowser-Riley, who passed away on the 20th of December and whose funeral will take place on Thursday the 31st of December at Baldarroch Crematorium. May he rest in peace and rise in glory and may light perpetual shine upon him.
Please save your stamps
Could you all remember to save the used stamps on your received Christmas cards through the post. If you could bring them to Church in an envelope or plastic bag and pass them to me, I would be most grateful.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins on the 18th of January 2021. It is hoped (subject to restrictions) that we will still be able to go ahead with our Ecumenical Evening Service, here at St Mary’s on Sunday the 24th of January which will commence at 6.30 pm. Watch this space for updates.
1970 Liturgy on Sunday 31st January
The 31st of January is the fifth Sunday of that month, therefore as mentioned in previous newsletters, the Holy Communion Service for the 10 am service will be from the 1970 Liturgy.
St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral AGM
St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral AGM will take place via Zoom on Sunday the 7th of February, commencing at 1230 pm. I will endeavour to circulate the necessary correspondence prior to that date. Watch this space and our website for further updates.
Looking ahead to 2021
As we look ahead to 2021, we hope and pray that it will be a year of recovery, remembrance, and celebration, as we try to come to terms with the past 12 months and all of the difficulties it has brought for so many. For those of you who continue to shield and prefer not to attend church services at this time, our prayers have been with you every week. For those of you who have felt a new lease of life in your religious outlook, we welcome you back. For those who have continued to attend our services during the pandemic, I am grateful for all of your help. To everyone then, Sam and I wish you all a very Happy New Year and that when the time comes, we shall all meet again in fellowship and love.
Services/Events at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral week commencing Sunday 27th December 2020
Sunday 27th December at 10 am – Holy Communion (Cn Terry)
Thursday 31st December at 11.30 am – Funeral for the late Dr Frank Bowser-Riley (Cn Terry)
Sunday 3rd January 2021 at 10am – Holy Communion (Cn Terry)
Blessings Always
Rev’d Canon Terry Taggart
Rector