Dear Church Family
We are living in unprecedented times. I am sorry that so many of you find yourselves locked away in your homes. Please know that you are in my prayers and that I am working with the Leadership Team to ensure that we are all in communication with each other – using as many types of media as possible.
I am also delighted to be able to report that the parish is working alongside our friends from Hutton Community Centre and Lighthouse Furniture to ensure that all residents in our community who need food and supplies over the coming months will have their needs met. It is going to be a large operation and I am grateful to the Leadership Team for taking on so much of the parish pastoral work at this time, as it has enabled me to put the church at the centre of care provision for our community. I believe that at times such as these we have to show our neighbours just why we are Christians and that we have a purpose beyond what we do on a Sunday. We must bear witness to the faith we have in Jesus Christ. I encourage you to find ways to bless those around you – be it a phone call, a letter or dropping off some shopping for a neighbour.
I have also been delighted that our live streaming of Morning Prayer and the Sunday Eucharist have been well received. Each video I have posted has been viewed over 200 times each and last Sunday’s Eucharist was seen by over 500 people. Truly remarkable.
I have also started a YouTube channel so that I can continue to provide the children of the parish with regular worship and teaching. I would encourage you to find it through the links on the Facebook page and to subscribe to the channel.
If you are reading this letter online, you can access the channel here:
We will also continue to produce the weekly Pew Sheets. As I said last week: Just because we cannot gather, does not mean that church is cancelled! Remember that we are the church wherever we are. We can worship and pray at any time we choose to and should continue to look out for those in need in our community.
This week's sheet can be downloaded here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/jem7dci32mkl3gh/newsletter%2029%20March%202020.pdf?dl=0
The parish Facebook page - www.facebook.com/huttonparish - is proving to be an effective way of communicating with many people. Here you can access live videos of daily services as well as receiving news updates. Do consider signing up for Facebook if you haven't already - and do ask if you need any help doing this!
The Daily Bread Café are continuing to distribute food to those in need throughout this time of national crisis. Food parcels can be collected at least 3 times a week from the hall in St Peter's:
Sundays - 10.30am till 11.30am
Tuesdays - 9am till 12 midday.
Thursdays – 10pm till 12 midday
Please do come down at these times to collect food for you or maybe for a neighbour in need. Contact the church office or Lisa Whymark on 07795 966453 (lisa@huttonparish.com) if you need a food delivery or further information.
Please also remember to donate non-perishables to help stock our food ministry cupboards. An extra few items in your weekly shop will make all the difference to a needy family or individual.
We will do our best to keep you up to date with what's going on. I would encourage you to commit to regular prayer and worship over the coming weeks and months - it is a vital part of what being the church is all about. Please also keep an eye on those who might need a little extra support - a few groceries, a phone call or even a note through the door can make all the difference.
If you are fit and well and willing to deliver parish communications and/or food etc, then please do get in touch with Dawn Shaxon in the office.
With every blessing,
