Covid-19 Update

Baslow St Anne’s PCC has decided, in the light of the seriousness of the current stage of the pandemic, to review its position on opening the church. The law is unchanged and it permits the Church to be open, both during the day and for services. However the PCC felt it right to review our current position in the light of the seriousness of the current situation. The decisions we have reached are borne out of concern for the safety of those attending the building, and the risks that are associated with people gathering together.

We are concerned to offer spiritual support to those in need. But the risks are now much greater than previously and so, for the time being, the church will no longer be open during the day. Services, strictly controlled on numbers, social distancing etc will continue on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings, with online services for those who do not wish to or cannot attend in person. The gaps between the church being in use ensure we can open safely, maintain the cleaning required to make it safe to do so, and reduce the risk of the virus being present on surfaces. Funerals will take place, in line with the regulations, by arrangement with the Rector.

This decision will be reviewed and may change if the situation worsens. We hope, and pray, that you are all safe and well and we look forward to welcoming you all at St Anne’s once the virus is under control and the law permits us to do so.

The church is here for all. If you would like to get in touch the phone numbers to use are :

• the Rector - Mike Gilbert – 07947 092951

• Churchwarden – Irene Roscoe - 01246 582900 or mobile 07484 201989

Dear friends,

Grief and gratitude

It’s a game of two halves, to quote a well-worn phrase. During the last twelve months or so we have lost so much. There has been so much grief. The loss of so many people because of the virus has been devastating. Even if we haven’t had someone close to us die there has been so much loss in other ways. We have lost opportunities, human touch, holidays, experiences, companionship, regular and familiar events. The list seems to go on and on.  

On the other hand, it is right to count our blessings as well. Though they vary from person to person, people have found much to celebrate over, much to give thanks for. These include the endless resourcefulness of people, the creative ways of finding different ways of doing things, the thousands of touching and beautiful acts of kindness.

As I open my Bible, it is there also, this game of two halves. Much that is written there is ‘lament’, a crying out to God, to anybody who is listening, that things aren’t right, that things should be different. Yet, in the midst of the mess, there is this golden thread of hope and thankfulness where joy and goodness are found.

As a church we are therefore having a time of ‘grief and gratitude’, a chance to process together the grief but also celebrate the goodness of God and others. Before we can truly recover from this pandemic, like all trauma, we have to process it. I would like to invite you also have a think about your grief and gratitude. If you would find it helpful there is a board in church where you could write these things down, because one thing we are grateful for is that we are able to open up St. Anne’s during the day once more.

Mike Gilbert, Rector

World Day of Prayer

Friday 21 May 2021

in St Anne’s Church at 10.00am 

a service prepared by the Christian Women of Vanuatu:

“Build on a Strong Foundation”

Please come & join us

Last Sunday morning my alarm clock started ringing, I looked at it with surprise! Rubbing my eyes and looking at the date on my watch, I remembered! It was Easter Sunday, it was 4.30am and I had to be somewhere! Today was a special day for I was on my way to meet with friends and give thanks for the risen Lord! 

I arrived at the churchyard to be greeted by the Rev Graham Duncan who was busy filling the chiminea with logs, “good idea”I thought as it was pretty cold at 5.30am that morning! 

“Hi Irene” said Graham “would you like to say the Bible reading today?” There was no hesitation from me, reading from the Bible on Easter morning and welcoming the risen Jesus was wonderful! The Bible Reading was Mark 16 verses 1-8.

As we all gathered around the warmth of the burning chiminea we listened to the dawn chorus, so beautiful, even the birds were excited as we were at the thought that Jesus was here amongst us! Communion was given by Graham to everyone and we praised the risen Jesus.

Lord God,

You loved this world so much that you gave your one and only Son, that we might be called your children too. Lord, help us to live in the gladness and grace of Easter Sunday, every day. Let us have hearts of thankfulness for your sacrifice. Let us have eyes that look upon your grace and rejoice in our salvation. Help us to walk in that mighty grace and tell your good news to the world. 

All for your glory do we pray, Lord, Amen

Irene Roscoe

Church Choir

During the current lock down, the Church Choir will be practicing on the Church Facebook page, at 6.00pm each Tuesday

Bel Canto will be practicing on the Bel Canto Facebook page, at 6.00pm each Wednesday

New choir members are always welcome, so if interested, please telephone Claire on 07515 287222. 
 

Church Library

Our library facility is temporarily closed to minimise the risk of Covid-19 transmission. 

Parish Safeguarding 

The Church of England is called to share the good news of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ. The life of our communities and institutions is integral to how we address this task. The good news speaks of welcome for all, with a particular regard for those who are most vulnerable, into a community where the value and dignity of every human being is affirmed and those in positions of responsibility and authority are truly trustworthy. Being faithful to our call to share the gospel therefore compels us to take with the utmost seriousness the challenge of preventing abuse from happening and responding well where it has.’  HANDBOOK

PCR2

Protocols and practice guidance for the Church of England’s Past Cases Review 2, (PCR2) have been published and are on the National Church of England Website. 

Individual survivors who wish to make representations to the PCR2 process in the Derby Diocese or who need to come forward with information or make any disclosures regarding church related abuse are encouraged to make direct contact with the Safeguarding Team 01332 388678. 

However, recognising that this may not feel safe for those with experience of abuse from within the church, a dedicated national helpline - 0800 80 20 20 - operated independently from the church, by the NSPCC, was set up in September 2019 and remains available.

Survivors were not invited to contribute to the 2007-2009 PCR and the Church has wanted to ensure a different, trauma informed approach is taken by PCR2. Listening to survivor voices has helped to shape how this review will be conducted. 

We are now at the beginning of the PCR2 process, this is an independent review to look at all the safeguarding files, historic and current for both adults and children, including all Church officers. The review aims to ensure that wherever concerns have been raised that the cases have been handled appropriately.

The National Church has given a commitment to undertake a new Past Cases Review (PCR2) which will not only look at all types of harm, both to children and or adults, but will probe much deeper in records or concerns held in parishes, some of which may not have been reported to the DSA. Your vicar (or church warden if in Interregnum) will now have received a letter from +Libby outlining what is required to enable this significant piece of work to be completed. We need to submit the final report to the National Safeguarding team by the end of December 2020. We will be in touch directly with PSOs’ to give the detail of the next step, but it may be helpful if you identify where any parish records are held so that there is less work to do when we ask you for the details. The timescale for responding to PCR2 in the Diocese of Derby is by 31st March 2020.

Safeguarding Concerns

If you have any concerns over any safeguarding matter, please contact the Parish Safeguarding Officer, Richard Nicholson on 01246 583023 or Member of the Clergy, Revd Mike Gilbert on 07947092951 or the Diocesan Safeguarding Team on 01332 388678.