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 |
Being an aged rocker I love listening to very loud rock music. I also love it when the same songs are played acoustically with all the sound stripped back so that the melody and the lyrics are centre stage. Lent is with us; the six weeks leading up to Easter starting this year on February 16th, Ash Wednesday. It has been used by many over the centuries as a time of stripping back, of trying to reduce the noise of external things, of the everyday, so that we can retune our hearts to God’s song - His call on our lives. It is an opportunity to take stock and decide what the lyrics of our lives should be. This year the restrictions due to the pandemic has meant that much has been stripped back for us. A great deal of what we had done before and took for granted has gone. Whilst I wish it wasn’t so I have found that there have been times when the stripped back nature of our lives at the moment has allowed the melody of love and goodness to re-emerge. We have done things differently; often more simply and in that stripping back we have found new meaning and new beauty. My prayer for us during this Lent is that the melody of life and the lyrics of love will be clearer and more precious this Lent than ever before. God bless Mike Gilbert, Rector On Sunday Mornings there will be a service live-streamed from church at 9.45am for those who don’t feel able to come to church. Even if you don’t come physically but would like a prayer or hymn included in the service we could probably arrange that if you tell us. Wednesday Evening Prayer at 7 will also continue for the time being. If you know of anybody who needs anything do tell us, we would like to help.
|
A new Contactless Donation Unit has been installed in St Anne’s Church to attract donations from an increasingly cashless world. It is located next to the visitors’ book near the main entrance to the church. The unit offers a range of donation values, starting from £3 and then in increasing steps to £5, £10, £20 and finally £30. Each donation can be individually set on the unit. Making giving contactless – and so much easier to do – helps support the funding for the church. The money will be used to maintain and develop the church as well as broaden the range of services for the village and its residents. Funds collected via this unit will be credited directly to the church’s bank account. It is totally secure with no actual cash being stored on site. This is another small step in the modernisation of St Anne’s Church – and now we are part of the cashless revolution! |