One thing we have all valued during these past months of lockdown is the sense of community we have enjoyed in the village. Aurea Hart’s own life experience has taught her how important community is and how important it is that members of a church work together as a community.
The Church in Marshfield benefice continues to minister and worship but in a different way; using both virtual online gatherings and small physical gatherings in our church buildings for worship since the Government’s announcement regarding the re-opening of churches from 4th July.
We have carried out thorough risk assessments in each of the churches in full compliance with both Government and Church of England guidelines as we want to ensure we provide a warm welcome and a safe worship experience!
You can read the Parish Risk Assessment St Mary’s Marshfield here as an example of the measures taken in all four of our churches.
The United Church Zoom services have proved a success during lockdown and these will continue every Sunday throughout July and August at 10.30am. However, we are now also able to offer simple church services, including Communion, throughout the Benefice (see Summer Services 2020 for details).
This is an unsettling time with unexpected challenges including ongoing separation from loved ones plus job and income uncertainties. If you would like to talk with someone or ask for prayer, any of the Ministry Team would be pleased to hear from you by telephone or email. Do contact us.
- Rev. Sally Wheeler 01225 892180, marshfield.benefice@gmail.com
- Rev Lynne Godfrey 01249 446734, lynne.rev@sky.com
- Mike Strathdee 01225 891001, strathdees@outlook.com
- Aurea Hart 01225 891453, aurea.hart@gmail.com
- Andrew Gammie 01225 892392, agammie@gmail.com
- Charles Keen 01225 892446, cwlkeen@gmail.com
Our Resources page provides a number of online resources including service sheets, prayers and advice for those getting married, plus the latest on funeral advice and resources.
Finally, the Church of England website also has lots of resources and news.
Please check back here regularly, where additional online content and resources will be made available soon.
Rev. Sally Wheeler
The PCC takes the safety of everyone within the church very seriously and expects that everyone will work within the church safeguarding policies.
Our safeguarding policy and principles can be found below, alongside useful contact numbers and a code of conduct for church members.
Marshfield Benefice Safeguarding Policy 2019
Code of Conduct for Church Members
For anyone in need, we are providing a mini larder in the church porch, containing tinned and dried food.
Take what you need, no need to ask.
Those who can, please contribute when you are able and leave in-date food items in the box.
For those of you that may have missed our Sunday Zoom Services, the reflections are now available on our Resources page, alongside prayer leaflets, our monthly prayer diary, and other online resources.
Sally
Click here to read a regular thought for the day, by David Spence.
Thank you David for these uplifting daily reflections.
Jesus said, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’ John 6.35
Many of us have missed gathering for communion during the strict lockdown, but now that churches can be open with safety measures in place, we are able to offer Communion services again. These will be simple said services at 9am around the Benefice and the dates are on the Calendar. At present the communion will be with bread only and the cup will be taken by the priest alone on behalf of the those present.
You may not feel able yet to join a physical so please continue to use the prayer for spiritual communion below and know that we are all still part of one Body in Christ wherever, and however, we are able to worship.
Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits you have given me, for all the pains and insults you have borne for me. Since I cannot now receive sacramentally, I ask you to come spiritually into my heart. O most merciful Redeemer, friend and brother, may I know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ you said to your disciples, ‘I am with you always’. Be with me today, as I offer myself to you. Hear my prayers for others and for myself and keep me in your care. Amen.
O God, help me to trust you, help me to know that you are with me, help me to rest in the knowledge that nothing can separate me from your love revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
We plan to host an act of corporate worship via Zoom at 10.30am each Sunday.
To join us from a smartphone or tablet you’ll first need to download the Zoom app from your App Store. If you’re joining us from a desktop computer or laptop, the Zoom software will automatically download when you first join the service. Further guidance for installing Zoom can be found here.
Simply join us by clicking the link below on Sunday at 10.30am.
Meeting ID: 659 348 7054
Password: 145703
Resources to help you to explore the themes of today’s service with your children are available here.
There will be an increased need for foodbanks with the negative impact on people’s livelihoods caused by the Covid 19 outbreak. The homeless are still homeless, but those who were vulnerable before will be added to by those newly facing hardship. You can offer support by giving direct to the Bath Foodbank via their website.
Genesis are no longer accepting donations of food from any source other than supermarkets. They are then delivering the food parcels out to those in need, rather than have them come in to collect them. So please do continue to make food donations at your local supermarkets. Thank you.
