Fr Patrick writes… The CofE has now dropped the requirement for all printed matter to be distributed via the post office. I therefore hope that with this July/August edition of the parish magazine we will be back to near normal
COVID-19 Church Guidance – Recent Developments
Fr Patrick writes… On Monday 4th May The Times published a letter signed by 600 people requesting that clergy be allowed to enter their churches for their own prayers and to make video services. The letter was skilfully timed, just
Update on the Parish Magazine
Fr Patrick writes… Last month I wrote about my experience of losing and receiving with the May edition of the Parish Magazine. On 11th April, with great reluctance, I finally accepted that that CofE guidance on the Coronavirus meant that
The Rectory Garden and Online Services
Fr Patrick writes… The Rectory garden is at its best in May, and I have enjoyed using it for online services. I especially enjoyed doing a service among the bluebells on 26th April, the day we should have had the
Marking VE Day
Fr Patrick writes… This year 8th May was designated as a Bank Holiday to mark the 75th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day. I cycled through Henley-in-Arden where lots of socially distanced street parties were happening; each household in
Holy Week and Easter 2020
Fr Patrick writes… It felt very unusual to be observing Holy Week and Easter with the churches closed. At 11am on Maundy Thursday we usually have the “Chrism Mass” with the Bishop in the Cathedral. This year I followed it
Church Buildings in the CofE closed to prevent spread of the Coronavirus
Fr. Patrick writes… It is rare to get a joint letter from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, but in March 2020 the clergy of the CofE received four! On 10th March, the Archbishops wrote to us advising us to
Bronze Eco Church Award
Mr Mike Parkes, Churchwarden at St Mary’s, writes… Eco Church is an award scheme for churches in England and Wales that has been set up by A Rocha UK. Participants fill in an online survey which gives an idea as
The New Verger – Michele Twelftree
Fr Patrick writes… On Sunday 1st December 2019 Michele Twelftree started as the new verger/sexton at St Mary’s Lapworth. A few days earlier she and her husband Michael moved from Garretts Green to the Clerks House, by St Mary’s Church.
The Crib at St Mary’s Lapworth
Fr Patrick writes… We enjoyed assembling our crib scene at the Crib Service with all the children on Christmas Eve. Lots of children brought paper angels which they brought forward as we sang the carol, “It came upon a midnight