Coffee with God by Gail Spence

More Coffee with God? What’s all that about? Well, for those who have not come across it before, Coffee with God is an article I write in our church magazine. It started as a ‘one-off’ after a sleepless night. I think the first one was about ‘prayer’. Prayer is important to me, and even more so at the moment. It’s the first thing I go to most days during breakfast; for me it’s a time to be still and think about the day, hence the title “Coffee with God”.

I have a disability, so planning at the start of a day is important and, like I said in that first church magazine article, sometimes my prayer can just be saying, “Morning God”, or just sitting still with my drink and concentrating on my breathing - to a full blown “Why? it’s not fair!” conversation, or “Who cares anyway?” Today was one of those days. I got up as normal and felt good, the morning went well, I managed to get a few little jobs done, then everything started falling apart. The TV reported that the PM had caught the covid-19 virus, then others from the government were confirmed as testing positive. The reporter was constantly going on and on about it; how is he going to cope? who will take over if he can’t run the country? what will happen to the government if more fall ill? Well, call me cynical but they will just have to do what the rest of us are doing - work from home, keep safe, and do our best.

We can all follow the example of the NHS who are dealing with a situation never been seen before, yet they carry on, and most of the time (as I write) without proper personal protection, yet still turn up for work, working long hours. I know some have felt guilty when they can’t go into work due to illness in their family. So let’s pray for all the frontline NHS workers; doctors, nurses, auxiliary staff, porters, cleaners and kitchen staff, clerical and administration staff, all those working in our doctors’ surgeries, pharmacy staff and prescription delivery people, all those delivering vital equipment, the half a million plus who have volunteered in any way to help, and all those unsung volunteers I have missed.

THANK YOU!!!

We pray for protection for them and the strength to deal with each day. When they get time off, hold them Lord, help them rest to renew their energy. We also pray for those who seem to have no regard for others, or the health restrictions, but carry on with their normal lives; Lord open their eyes.

Yes we are living in a time of a viral pandemic, but we are also living with a pandemic of God’s love in action. I know which I would prefer. It’s within each and every one of us, and (thankfully) there is no cure!

Yet you can get a prescription for it.

Prescription for: Patients name. you

Charge: None

To be taken: Daily as and when needed

Repeat prescriptions: Unlimited

Side-effects: Love, Joy, Peace, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Self-control, Feeling of well-being.

It doesn’t come in a bottle or packet and can be passed on easily to others in every action we do to help, from a simple phone call, or a card through the door, to full-on care for those who are ill.

So, what is it? God’s Spirit.

So, I pray for peace for us all, that any fear will be stilled as we journey together through these difficult times.

May God hold you,

Christ walk with you,

And the Holy Spirit fill you.

God bless,

Gail

Keep safe and keep taking your prescription.

P.S. This was sent to me just as I had finished writing. It says it all.

Life at Christ's Church

Hello Everyone

We do hope you have managed to read the Vicar’s Blog and watch Rev’d Julia Gordon’s video which were posted on this website a couple of days ago.

We are hoping to bring you updates as, and when they are required about the life and times of our church during this time of great uncertainty and worry.

The news is we have been informed by the Diocese that APCMs (AGM) which normally have to be held before the 31 May each year for churchwardens, deanery synod reps and PCC members to be elected must now be held by 31 October this year.  This means that our present  PCC and officers will continue in post until we can actually have a meeting.

Archbishop of Canterbury to lead first national virtual Church of England Service

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby is to lead a national broadcast as the Church of England responds to the challenge of becoming a “different sort of church” in the face of the coronavirus crisis.

The service including prayers, hymns and a short sermon will be broadcast online by the Church of England and broadcast across 39 local BBC radio stations this Sunday, Mothering Sunday as congregations across the country find new ways of sharing worship together after public church services were put on hold.

National Day of Prayer

This Mothering Sunday, 22 March, all major denominations are calling all churches to a National Day of Prayer and Action.

At such a time as this, when so many are fearful and there is great uncertainty, we are reminded of our
dependence on our loving heavenly Father and the future that He holds.

At 7pm this Sunday, light a candle in the windows of your homes as a visible
symbol of the light of life, Jesus Christ, our source and hope in prayer.

We have the great privilege and freedom to be able to call upon God, wherever we are, individually and corporately, for healing in our country.

Please pray for all in leadership at this time, making decisions about the containment of the Covid-19 virus, for those working in health and social care, and especially for the most vulnerable, whether elderly or those with underlying health conditions.

Message from Rev Wendy Oliver

I don’t know about you, but I feel like I’m living through some kind of disaster movie at the present time!  What will happen next? Society seems to have gone a bit bonkers doesn’t it?  Well never fear God is still here and so is Christ’s Church, Harwood.

Sadly though in the light of the Government guidance around non-essential contact to help stem the spread of the Coronavirus, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have issued advice that public worship is suspended until further notice.  Therefore, it is with great sadness that we must announce that there will be no more formal worship services held at Christ’s Church, Harwood during this very difficult period.  Our APCM (AGM) due to take place on 28 March is also postponed.  All other church groups including the Lounge Café are cancelled until further notice.

However, this does not mean that the church is not still alive and active!  WE ARE!!!  We are still church although in different ways.  AND there are lots of ways we can support one another, stay in touch, pray even if we don’t meet for regular worship on Sundays.

There is no way COVID-19 will defeat us!  I know many people are feeling fearful of the future and what it holds, but remember we are a Church of HOPE!  That hope is what will bring us through to the end of this difficult time.

How can we bring HOPE in this situation? Well first let’s look to scripture, Psalm 23 is a marvellous place to start, with acknowledgement that God is the good shepherd always with us, meeting our needs, even if that leads us to walk through the shadow of death, he brings us through to the other side and is still with us.  Let’s remember too that as Christians we have HOPE of a future, eternally with God.

We can PRAY, and if we don’t know the words to use, or we feel we’ve never really prayed before and are nervous why not try using the Lord’s Prayer.

Christ’s Church, Harwood has a Strategy Team which is looking at different ways we can still be church in a very different world. 

Although there will not be usual worship services on Sunday morning the church will be open this Sunday from 9.30-10.30am for people to come and spend a time of quiet reflective prayer in our beautiful church building.  Obviously safety measures will need to be adhered to.  

From Monday 23 March a number of us will, in our own homes, be using the Church of England Daily Prayer at 10am and 7pm.  If you would like to join in the app can be downloaded at the Google and Apple app stores, it’s called Daily Prayer.  It is very easy to use.

It is hoped that we will be able to make sure that the majority if not all of our regular congregation will be contacted by someone from church and are putting plans in place so everyone knows we are there for them.

Our social media sites will be regularly updated with prayers, podcasts, videos and information to help everyone through.  The magazine due out at the beginning of March will have lots of articles prayers and articles which we hope will encourage us all in this difficult time.

Please remember that we also have a Grub Tub here in Church and many people will need help from Food Banks during this time of uncertainty, so if you have an extra tin or two, toilet rolls or anything else which could help someone else, please do drop it off on Sunday mornings whilst we are open.

The Canon Slade register will also be available to sign and a collection plate for your regular giving.  Please remember that just because the church is closed we still have to keep it aired and cleaned, we also have a busy churchyard that needs maintaining and without all of us continuing to give financially, it can quickly fall into disrepair.  It is 181 years old after all!!!

A small number of notice sheets will be available for collection on Sundays for those who can’t get online, together with lists of people who are available to volunteer to shop & deliver food and for those who are self-isolating and need our help.  There are also some volunteer forms you might like to put through your neighbours doors to let them know you are there for them. We are already being contacted by members of the community to see if we can help out as they are self-isolating.

Finally my dear brothers and sisters let’s remember that even if we are self-isolating, feeling ill, alone and scared that God is always there and if we ask will wrap his loving arms around us. Also we, The Church is there for you too.

Be safe and trust in the Lord.

Wendy