1st March 2021
Pastoral Message from Fr Colin
Someone remarked to me yesterday that at St George’s we are very lucky to have the option of coming to church physically, or to follow our services online. You will doubtless be aware that many churches have closed their doors for public worship because they do not feel in safe to be open. We are lucky to have a large church building which can be kept well ventilated and, provided we abide by the rules laid out in our risk assessment, I hope we can continue to be open for public worship.
The rollout of the vaccine against Covid-19 has been remarkable, and doubtless many of you will have received at least one dose of a vaccine. I have no doubt this will have lifted your spirits and given you a greater sense of confidence. However, this is also an apposite time to remind you of the lockdown rules in relation to the opening of St George’s Church.
The medical and scientific community have stressed that although there is light at the end of the tunnel, we are not out of the woods yet. In order to ensure that we all keep safe and well during this time I must insist that the following rules are adhered to, stressing that failure to do so may result in the church having to be closed for public worship in order to prevent Illness or death. This is not something that any of us would wish to happen, not least in the run-up to Holy Week and Easter.
You must not enter the church for any reason except for public worship.
If there is any essential maintenance that needs to be carried out, please do speak to me or one of the wardens. By essential maintenance I mean something that must be done immediately and cannot wait until the end of the current restrictions.
There might be a need for authorised persons to access the parish office. If this is the case please let me or the wardens know, as you have been, when you are going into the office so that I can make a note of it in the event that details might be needed for track and trace.
Please book a place in the usual way if you are intending coming to a service in church. This is extremely important for purposes of track and trace, but also to ensure that we do not exceed the maximum number of worshippers that the current restrictions allow.
Before you enter the church please ensure that you are wearing your mask properly, covering both your nose and mouth. If you have forgotten to bring a mask or face covering please let a steward know. We have plenty of disposable masks available.
As you enter the church please ensure that you sanitise your hands from one of the sanitising stations at the entrance, and have your temperature taken.
Please maintain the two-metre rule as you enter the church and when seated. Please do not hang around at the back of church or move around the church for a chat, and be seated as soon as possible.
Once seated please remain in your place for the duration of the service. Communion will be brought to you in your place.
At the end of the service please leave service books on your seat and depart quickly, and in an orderly fashion. Do not congregate at the back of church for a chat.
I appreciate this all sounds rather restrictive, but it is imperative that if we are to remain open then we must observe these rules to ensure that everyone remains safe. Even if you have been vaccinated you are not guaranteed complete immunity from this dreadful virus, and you can still pass it on to others. Remember, not all of us have received the vaccine.
If we keep to the rules then we can look forward to the church remaining open for Lent, Holy Week and Easter, and beyond, and to a time when many of the restrictions can be lifted and we can get back to a sense of normality.
With love and prayers
Fr Colin
25th February 2021
Sunday Bulletin and Reading Sheet for Sunday 28th February
The Bulletin for Sunday 28th February is now available to download, read and print out at the "at home resources" page of the church website. Also the Reading Sheet and the links you need to view the live feed video of the Eucharist on 28th February at 10am. Go HERE
Please remember to book in for either our 8AM or 10AM services this Sunday by emailing bookings@stgeorges.church or by calling the Parish Office (02392 258079) and leaving a message on the answerphone. Let us know which service you would like to book for and the names & contact numbers of the people attending. For services in Church, please remember to bring a face covering.
The Lent and Easter 2021 issue of St George’s News is now published, and available for collection in Church. If you are unable to visit the Church, please email feedback@stgeorgesnews.org with your address and we will try and deliver it to you. Or telephone the Parish Office on 023 9225 8079 and leave a message.
Best wishes,
Alex
Parish Administrator
25th February 2021
Give the Church an Easter gift
As we approach the great Christian Festival of Easter, when we give thanks to God for the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, would you like to give a gift in thanksgiving for the day to day work and witness of St George’s Church? This was an idea that was discussed by a recent meeting of our Social and Fundraising sub-committee. The idea is that the gift comes in the form of a contribution towards some of the major costs that we incur to keep our church running smoothly, and to ensure that we continue to be a beacon of the light, love and compassion of God at the centre of Waterlooville.
Below is a breakdown of the annual cost of some of the major items of expenditure, excluding the Parish Share.
Gas £384
Electricity £564
Water £150
Piano/Organ tuning £170
Pest Control £105
Photocopier rental and copies £815
Software licences £75
Copyright licences £287
Window Cleaning £320
Communion wafers £90
Liturgical expenses £90
Fire extinguisher servicing £135
Lightning conductor test £210
Royal School of Church Music Subscription £107
If you would like to give a gift by way of a contribution to one of these items please speak to one of the Church Wardens, or to our treasurer, Sara Pask. Please be assured this is entirely voluntary and no one should feel pressurised into doing so.
Fr Colin
13th December 2020
Announcement
Dear Friends
It was announced today that Bishop Christopher is to retire as Bishop of Portsmouth in April 2021. Bishop Christopher has been a wonderful Diocesan Bishop for the past 10 years. I am sure that you will want to join me in praying for him, and for his wife Sally, and wishing them every blessing in their retirement in Somerset.
The announcement, is, as follows:
‘THE Rt Rev Christopher Foster today announced that he is to retire as Bishop of Portsmouth.
Bishop Christopher, who is 67, had delayed his resignation to lead the Church of England’s Diocese of Portsmouth through the Covid pandemic. He will now step down as bishop in April 2021.
He made the announcement on the same day as his wife, the Canon Sally Davenport, told worshippers at Holy Trinity and St Columba Churches in Fareham that she was also to resign as their Team Rector. The couple will retire together and live in Somerset.
“It has been a privilege to serve as bishop in this diocese for over a decade,” he said. “Because we are a small diocese with a family feel, our clergy and lay people have been able to collaborate effectively and respond quickly to changing circumstances – as the past year has shown.
“Over the past 10 years, I have seen courage, generosity and resourcefulness as our congregations have faithfully shared God’s love, through prayer, worship and serving others. I look forward to working with those fellow disciples over the coming months to continue discovering what the post-Covid Church will look like as we renew our commitment to respond collaboratively in changing times.
“It may seem surprising that I should make this announcement just before Christmas, but the timing means that the period that the Diocese of Portsmouth will be without a diocesan bishop will be as short as possible.
“Thank you to all those who have prayed for us and worked alongside us over the past 10 years, in the churches and communities of south-east Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Sally and I will be sorry to leave so many valued friends and colleagues.”
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Please also pray for those who will be tasked with discerning a new Bishop to serve in our diocese.
I am also delighted to confirm that David Cain has accepted our offer to become our new Director of Music and Organist (to replace Rod who retires at the end of this year). David, who works at the Diocesan office and, until recently, was organist at St Mary’s in Porchester, may be known to some of you.
Love and prayers
Fr Colin
