News

A local churches' Covid-19 team has been organised to provide help. Scroll down for details or CLICK HERE

A message passed on to us by Assistant Minister Debbie Hore:

"The new coronavirus, officially declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation, is spreading rapidly around the world. In such times of fear and uncertainty, Christians turn to God, just as we also do in times of joy and celebration. Please join us as we pray for God’s heart of love, mercy, and truth to dwell in us and show us how to face the challenges posed by the new coronavirus.

A prayer for people infected with Covid-19 or facing quarantine:

Lord Jesus, during your ministry on earth you showed your power and caring by healing people of all ages and walks of life from physical, mental, and spiritual ailments. Be present now to people who need your loving touch because of Covid-19. May they feel your power of healing through the care of doctors and nurses, and the concern and compassion of their neighbours so as to bring hope in their time of need.

Take away fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation from people receiving treatment or who are under quarantine. Give them a sense of purpose in pursuing health and protecting others from exposure to the virus. Protect their families and friends and bring peace to all who love them. We ask this in your name. Amen.

A prayer for people who are more vulnerable to the effects of the virus:

Loving God, the fountain of life and healing, we lift to you our concern for people who are more likely than others to become severely ill from Covid-19. Be their comfort in this time of fear and uncertainty, and enfold them in your arms of mercy, for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A prayer for medical professionals, caregivers, researchers, and leaders responsible for decisions about fighting the new coronavirus:

Almighty Father, we seek your wisdom daily. Be with people making decisions that affect the lives and futures of our families, friends, communities, countries, and the wider world. Inspire and invigorate people developing better tests to diagnose the virus, vaccines to prevent it, protocols and communication to eliminate its spread, and medicines to ease its effects. May truth and empathy be the touchstones of people setting policies for our protection. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

"He who rescued us from so deadly a peril will continue to rescue us; on him we have set our hope that he will rescue us again, as you also join in helping us by your prayers, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted to us through the prayers of many." [2 Corinthians 1:10-11]

Based on material from World Vision

www.worldvision.org/disaster-relief-news-stories/prayers-people-affected-new-coronavirus

Reverend Debbie Hore

Associate Minister - Great St. Mary's Sawbridgeworth

WE REGRET TO ANNOUNCE THAT ALL CHURCH SERVICES HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE AND THE CHURCH BUILDING HAS TO BE KEPT LOCKED.

Due to the ongoing Covd-19 Virus precautions issued by the Church of England our church buildings must now be closed, not only for public worship, but for private prayer as well.

Please be assured that we will continue to pray for you, as we hope that you continue to pray for us at this difficult time.

We aim to keep in touch with you by phone, email, and through other forms of technology to ensure that pastoral care is maintained.

Please do not hesitate to call or email us if you are in any kind of need. Our contact details can be found below.

VACANCY - Our Parish is currently in a ‘Vacancy’ – which means we don’t have a full time Vicar at present. Our Associate Priest, Debbie Hore, is working hard to manage the workload, ably supported by our Lay Reader, Di Kitson. If you wish to speak with a priest, please contact Debbie; for other matters, please contact Chrissy Goan in the Parish Office. The Churchwardens are also available to assist if required. Please see the back of this leaflet for all contact details. Anthony & Shona

PRAYING FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK is one of our priorities as a church. If you would like anyone included in our intercessions, please fill in a prayer Request Form which are on the table at the back of church, and pass to either Rev’d Debbie, Di, or one of the Churchwardens. Thank you. Shona & Anthony

INDUCTION OF FATHER SIMON VIVIAN – Simon and family’s arrival has sadly been postponed, we will update everyone as soon as we have details on the new date.Anthony and Shona

VISIT FROM THE ARCHBISHOP OF THE CARIBBEAN – with regret, the visit will no longer go ahead as the Lambeth Conference has been cancelled

VISIT TO ST MARY’S CHURCH, STANDON – April 18^th. This event is now cancelled. Val Bright

ANnual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) – following an announcement by the Diocese, the APCM will now be postponed until later in the year, details will be announced in due course. Shona & Anthony

FOODBANK - As Church is now closed until further notice we are unable to collect for the Foodbank. If you are able to shop please, for the time being, donate in Tesco, Sainsbury's or Budgens. All over the country Foodbanks are suffering; if you can help it would be greatly appreciated. Stay well and safe. Ann & Cathy