Dear All,
Apologies for what will be a long, but I hope thorough email,
Taking advice from the Church of England and Government advice we have decided to suspend Sunday services for the time being. I attach the letter sent to all churches from the Archbishops sent today.
Sundays
We will be offering a live online ‘living room’ style service for Sundays where there is no church gathering. More information will follow in a separate email tomorrow. I am well aware that online services are in no way a replacement for face to face encounter, however, with the current information we have been given, I feel this is the wisest option. The online option will also offer a telephone option for those who do not have internet access.
Small groups/Networks/Prayer meetings
We are recommending to groups to cancel in person gatherings for the time being. We hope that this recommendation will be able to change soon. We would encourage groups to try to meet/catch up virtually.
New Networks
However, this change in our gatherings in no way indicates a lack of activity. The joy of being network church is that we have the flexibility to create new spaces and networks, as we continue to grow in our faith and share Jesus with those around us.
With that in mind we are launching several online ’networks’ over the next week which we hope will be helpful.
Zoom
Many of the networks will trialed using ‘zoom’ a free online video platform which we hope is the easiest way of meeting virtually. You can use zoom on a computer or smart phone. It is also to join zoom calls from a normal telephone. I will send out a more detailed tutorial on how to use this platform tomorrow. If you need any tech help at all (no silly questions) please do get in touch- I am more than happy to cycle over and set this up/explain how to install over the
phone! Please don’t feel that not having internet access/being confident online will exclude you from being part of community- where there is a will there is a way! Equally if you are tech proficient and would happy to help others please let me know!
These networks will continue as long as they need to- my hope is that they remind us that whilst we are unable to gather we are not alone. I will send more info about each network as they begin (and tech evolves).
Pajama Prayers– Monday- Thursday 7.30am-7.45am
15 mins of prayer to start the day. A reading from the Bible and brief time of prayer together too. Beginning tomorrow
Will be streamed on Instagram live and Zoom (email sarah@cnc.church for the link).
Virtual Alpha– Mondays 8-9.30pm. (starting the 23rd of March) Alpha is an informal way to explore life and the Christian faith. We will be watching the Alpha videos and then discussing them together. Great opportunity to invite friends to explore the Christian faith.
Zoom (email sarah@cnc.church for the link)
NT Wright Bible Study/Prayer– Wednesdays- 8-9.30pm (starts this week). First Wednesday prayer meeting- second exploring the NT Wright Study on Philippians (email sarah@cnc.church for the link)
Teatime Quiz– Thursdays 5pm-6pm (starts this week)- Virtual Pub Quiz for all ages – compete as a family/couple or go it alone and see if you can win- Prizes each week! (email sarah@cnc.church for the link)
Psalm reflections– We are going to be posting and emailing out a daily reflection on the Psalms (starting at number 1 and working along) we are hoping to have different people share each day so if you are interested please email rob@cnc.church
If you have an idea for a temporary virtual network and would like to set one up- let me know!
Pastoral care– In any time of uncertainty and difficult it is important to look after each other please do get in touch if you need any kind of support- whether practical or emotional. We will pass along needs as they emerge from our charity links. If network leaders could stay in regular contact with members as well that would be great.
Note from Youth for Christ
Due to the government guidelines, we will not be running our usual youth groups.
But there is good news! In partnership with Youth for Christ Gloucestershire we will be running an active and lively online youth program, which will continue throughout this time. We will be sharing isolation tips, Bible studies and running fun online events and games!
Be sure to follow us, we’ll keep you company!
Youth for Christ Gloucestershire social media
Follow us, we’ll keep you company!
Instagram: @yfcglos
Twitter: @YFCGlos
Facebook: Youth for Christ Gloucestershire
http://www.yfcgloucestershire.co.uk/
This Sunday has been designated a national day of prayer- we have been encouraged to leave a lit candle in the window at 7pm and take the time to pray for our world.
We are in a time of great challenge and great opportunity, as the Archbishops wrote, -“This is a defining moment for the Church of England. Are we truly a church for all, or just the church for ourselves? We urge you sisters and brothers to become a different sort of church in these coming months: hopeful and rooted in the offering of prayer and praise and overflowing in service to the world.”
CNC is a church who has had to show more flexibility than most and I am confident that once again we can rise to the challenge- to adapt to our context and ask the Holy Spirit to use us in a new way.
With every blessing,
Sarah
07957669157