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Rector’s Message
The Priory Church of St Mary and the Holy Cross is open daily between 10am and 3.30pm for individual prayer in line with social distancing and hand hygiene guidelines.
The Priory Church of St Mary and the Holy Cross is open for worship as listed under Services in line with social distancing and hand hygiene guidelines.
As we prepare for our 2021 Christmas Services, we find another wave of COVID – Omicron marching though the population. To this end, and further to the Government’s Plan B announced on 9th December and direction from the Church of England (10th December 2021) we respectfully ask that:
· Masks must be worn inside the Priory Church, unless you are exempt,
· You Sanitise your hands on entry to the Priory Church,
· You may be shown to your seat, and that you remain there for the duration of the service. The exception is going to the altar rail to take Communion,
· You exit from the church through the West Door and please try not to mingle except with your family group,
and
· The Doors maybe opened to enhance through ventilation.
Thank you for your help in reducing the risk of spreading Covid amongst our congregation.
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ZOOM SERVICES
Zoom Services on Sundays will continue on a monthly basis – the first Sunday of the month at 5pm.
To participate please telephone Ian Newton on 01328 830947 or email iannewton46@ gmail.com. You will be warmly welcomed.
Ian Whittle is very keen that we continue to offer services for any who are not able to come to church.
I have been delighted to take part in Divine Worship on Zoom, made possible by Mr. Ian & Canon Fiona Newton, with whom I’ve worked closely over these last months. Vast thanks to all.
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RECTOR’S LETTER
My Dear Friends and Parishioners,
The year draws to its close, and all things living,
plantwise, shrink away. We, though, cling to life; and so we should. We are made and equipped to Live, to face adversity, to take pleasure, to exhibit the virtues: loyalty, courage, kindness and long-suffering. New Year seems away off – but the Church’s New Year begins at Advent: Coming. There are four weeks for the preparation of ourselves for Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell; and then Christmas, the Nativity of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. And what a wonder.
Intertwined in all that we do is the heavenly, the eternal. It’s a time of forgiveness, of persistence, of loving care. But also of recognition, of determination of absolute glorious declaration. “Unto us a Son is born. Unto us a Son is given….” And here is our health, our saving, our ultimate security, our peace; and the whole created order sings: in science, art, music, simplicity.
May I wish you a thoughtful few weeks before Christmas; and then, Fire every cannon, ring every bell, pull every cracker, and proclaim Jesus Christ is born. And a peaceful, blessed and healthy New Year!
Yours very truly,
Ian Whittle,
The Rectory, Langham 01328 830246
