Rector's Weekly Update - Beaminster Team Churches

The Beaminster Area Team
From the Hub Weekly Update Wednesday 23rd December, 2020

Dear friends.

I would like to begin by thanking you all for the wonderful help and support that you have given to me and the staff team during the past nine months of the awful pandemic. Without all the time and effort that you have given in your own villages we could not have kept things going in the way in which you have allowed us to. It is now a cliche to say things will be different this year but Christmas is a joyous occasion because as Christian communities we share the annual good news of the birth of the Christ Child, the Saviour of the world, the true meaning. I know that it will be a time of sadness for those who will miss seeing children and family but I hope that for one year we can see that it is a sacrifice worth making if it stops the spread of Covid – 19 protecting the vulnerable and saving lives. My prayer for you all is that you will have a happy and joyous Christmas and know for yourselves the peace of the Holy Child of Bethlehem.

Whilst there are changes in the regulations regarding people meeting across tiers there appears to be no changes to the guidelines for worship. For those who intend to meet outside so that they sing, please bear in mind that this is the most direct cause for the spread of Coronavirus. You must mark clearly identifiable 2 metre distances between individuals and family bubbles and keep singing to a minimal i.e 1 verse of each Carol. Generally you must check which tier visitors are coming from as those from tier 4 are not allowed to attend and tier 3 are to be encouraged not to attend.

For those who feel that they cannot attend large gatherings, there are many ways of joining us in worship online and I do encourage you to look at the wonderful Crib Service video led by Jo which went live yesterday and our Christmas service video which will be available from Christmas Eve. Many of our churches remain open during the day and you may like to sit quietly before the crib on your own.

I will continue to update you all as new regulations and guidelines come into being over the coming weeks.

In the meanwhile stay safe and well and Happy Christmas to you all.

David