Dear Friends

Thank you for your prayers for us today. The PCC Covid response working group had a very positive and honest meeting this morning full of the Holy Spirit.

As a result, the decision was taken that Christ Church would remain open for personal prayer each day.  With great reluctance the decision was also taken to close public worship at Christ Church and St Mary’s. This is with immediate effect from today onwards for the rest of January. This decision will be reviewed at our next working party meeting on Wednesday 27th January.

We will advertise these decisions as widely as possible from now onwards.  I will be present with Jim in Christ Church from 9.30am on Sunday to explain what is happening and apologise to any people who turn up expecting a service.

We are delighted that, as in previous lockdowns, our Sunday service will be recorded and will be available on our CC website from Sunday morning. We are especially aware of the importance of supporting the National Health service and our GWH in all they are doing on our behalf.

We are also very aware of those from our Christian community who will be saddened by this decision that we have taken because they will miss not receiving Holy Communion and will miss the comfort of being together in public worship especially if they are suffering from anxiety or mental health challenges. We hope people will know that they are welcome to come and pray through the day. We will continue to do all we can with your help to keep people safe through our church cleaning and risk procedures.

Please be aware of our friendship support and prayers. Do be in touch directly at any time, so our Keeping in touch pastoral scheme can do all they can to support you practically and spiritually. Also this coming Wednesday we begin the online 8 session Wellbeing Journey course which has been highly recommended. Do contact me for further details.

If you have any questions or concerns about this communication, please contact me directly by phone or email. Please join me in praying for God’s blessing and guidance for all who those who live and work in our Old Town Swindon parish including our Old Town Partnership,

                                            Thank you for all your support,

                                                                 Every blessing,

                                                                                     Simon