Dear friends,

Following the guidance of both the URC and government we have taken the decision to suspend Sunday morning worship. It is not often that we close the church for a Sunday and extremely rare in the course of over 300 years that we this sort of action will have happen. It is a big decision to make, but we feel that it is the right decision in the light of current advice.

We have also decided to close the church building as from Monday 16th March. Again, not a decision taken lightly but we are encouraging people to follow advice.

This also means any church event is suspended at least until the end of April.

How long for? We don’t know. We are going to be led by God, and by advice from many places including all our church members.

Does this mean that the church has closed? NO! The building is closed but the church is alive and well! As long as we can hold each other and God’s world in prayer, and remember to sing God’s glory (maybe even just in our hearts!), then we can fulfil functions of church. But we can do more! We have some things that we will be sharing with you soon about ways in which we can continue to be church in creative ways… watch this space!

It is perfectly normal to be troubled, disturbed, or find yourself uneasy over what we are going through. Our God though, is faithful. We never know what lies ahead, but nor did Jesus as he entered the wilderness! it was during that time that he possibly learnt to offer everything to God in prayer (as a famous hymn says!). We are in Lent, and perhaps that is something we need to take from all this… we need to offer everything to God in prayer, and know that we are not alone.

If you have questions, feel free to email/phone/text me. I may not be able to answer them! But I will try.

In the meantime, trust in God and continue to follow in the way of Christ.

May God bless us all on our journey.

David, on behalf of the Elders