The Beaminster Area Team
From the Hub Covid-19 update 15th January, 2021
When the decision to suspend public worship was made last month, it was done with no idea of what length
of time it will last for. As I write, the government policy is that churches can remain open for public worship,
but with Coronavirus cases in West Dorset continuing to rise and the daily death totals repeatedly in the
thousands, I still believe that the correct decision was made. I am aware that there are a small number of
churches that continue to worship publicly. Like them, I am happy that our Covid security is as good as we
could make it. But realistically I could not guarantee the natural human desire to stretch rules to the farthest
edges which would make the updated guidelines on not making any social contact whilst gathering difficult to
control. We all need social contact and the need to meet others, for me that is what potentially makes
churches a possible place of spread. Also contained within the guidelines were directions that you should not
travel outside your town or village except for essential need and in suspending all churches the temptation is
not there. The new strain of virus loves the environment of people stretching the rules.
As I have to get content prepared for the Team News, I have made a rota for worship for February even
though it remains suspended because at this point in January I do not know when government restrictions will
be changed. Any lifting of suspension to worship will appear on our website and other online platforms. We
continue to worship through our prerecorded service each week. You can also join Thursday community
prayers and Fiona and I will be trialing Sunday prayers for the evening on Zoom at 3.30 pm. Again, you can find
the links to all of these on the website and Facebook. Ash Wednesday this year is on Wednesday 18th
February and we will announce how we will be keeping this festival, which begins the start of our season of
Lent, in due course.
Fiona and I have considered how we can encourage those who take part in study, especially during Lent, to be
able to do so this year. We will be using the book ‘Celtic Lent – 40 days of devotions to Easter’ by David Cole
and produced by the Bible Reading Fellowship. If you would like a copy contact Anne via the office emai
address. We will be using this as the basis for study at the Tuesday lunchtime fellowship (please note the new
zoom link details below), Thursday prayers, Sunday Coffee mornings and Sunday Evening prayers.
Whilst many of you continue to enjoy the recorded worship each week a number of people have asked if we
can do any live online worship which I interpret as interactive. This would be difficult other than via Zoom. But
starting this Sunday we will hold an informal prayer for the evening and the link is below.
Join Zoom Meeting for informal Sunday prayer: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85459689920?pwd=STVPZHRObjF1Wkprb0k4VHY3UGZ2Zz09
Meeting ID: 854 5968 9920
Passcode: 247528
I thank you sincerely for your continued support and understanding at this difficult time.
David
Please note there is a new Zoom link to the Tuesday Fellowship Meeting
This is a very informal get together on Zoom, with those who would like to catch up with a coffee, and spend
some time in a bible passage, exploring its meaning. Then we will finish with prayer.
If you would like to join me, please use the link below.
Day and Time: Tuesday 19th January, 12 noon
Join Zoom meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82446481817?pwd=VTNsK2pjVUo3NHdhd3VSdkJHM0J4dz09
Meeting ID: 824 4648 1817
Passcode: 872970
Looking forward to seeing you.
Fiona
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