Christmas update 23rd December 2020

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Dear all

Given the large number of changes the government has had to make recently, I thought it might be useful to update you regarding services in the Oldbury Benefice this Christmas.

First, as yet no services have been cancelled. Even in Tier 4 the government permits public worship to continue provided appropriate measures are taken to keep people safe. We feel that our measures are at least in line with best practice, and if you follow the rules, we can continue to meet safely.

However, I am aware that many of you feel it is no longer appropriate to gather, and I have much sympathy for that position. In fact, I would go so far as to say something I never thought I would say as a vicar – if you are able to get through this Christmas without coming to church, maybe you should do so! To help with that, I will be putting a communion service online (on Youtube) on Christmas Eve at 11pm, so that you can use it instead of a midnight communion service or on Christmas morning itself. Do please consider seriously whether this would be the better option for you and your loved ones.

If you do come to one of the services (and you are most welcome to do so, although you do need to pre-book for Calstone and Heddington, and it would be helpful if you could let me know for Cherhill or Compton Bassett), please follow the rules carefully. If we reach our capacity, I regret that we will have to turn people away. This is something else I never expected to do as a vicar, but please understand why it may be necessary.

Please stay safe this Christmas.

With prayers and blessings

Matt

Carol and Christmas Services – keeping each other safe

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As you hopefully already know, Cherhill, Heddington and Yatesbury will be holding outdoor carol services this year. We are all very grateful not only that this is possible, but also that a limited amount of singing is also permitted.

However, no one wants these wonderful events to be the cause of suffering, so could I ask you to follow the guidelines below so that we look after everyone.

1 Hands, face, space. As usual, please come with washed hands, face masks and keep your distance from others. I know we are outside, but wearing masks will reduce the risk even further, so please do consider this seriously, especially while singing.

2 Keep the volume down. The risk of spreading covid is linked to the volume of sound produced rather than whether you are singing or speaking. Could we ask you therefore to sing at a normal conversation level, even if the carols lend themselves to enthusiasm.

3 Follow the one way system. This is intended to keep everyone apart as much as possible.

4 Stick to your cone. We will have measured out 4m between each cone. This should allow you to gather as a group of up to 6 around a cone while still keeping 2m from anyone else. Please don’t move away from that cone (except to leave), even though I know it is tempting to look for a better line of sight sometimes.

5 Respect the numbers. We think there is more than enough space at each venue for the people with links to that village, church or school. They are intended for these people only (and of course family if you have decided to gather for a Christmas bubble). Once we have reached our safe limits we will have to turn people away. Please understand that we would LOVE to host everyone who wants to be there, but safety is the most important consideration.

6 Please do not hang around for long afterwards.

Sorry for all the “don’ts”. I hope they are all straightforward, and you can understand how they meet what we are all being asked to do at these times. We want these services to bring joy rather than sickness. To that end, we are more than happy for you to share these experiences with others via video (including live via FaceTime or similar), but I would be grateful if you respected the privacy of others there by not sharing images or videos publicly in social media without the permission of those who can be clearly seen in them, especially children.

Looking forward to sharing a safe and joyful Christmas with you all.

Matt and the team.

If you wish to view the Risk Assessments for the outdoor carol services please click on the village you are interested in to download a PDF file.

Heddington

Cherhill.

Praying through Lockdown 2

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The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have called us as a Church of England to make this month of November a month of prayer for our nation.

Some of us might want to do this because we have more time on our hands. Others might choose to pray because they know that bringing our worries to God helps lighten our load.

All of us will hopefully choose to pray because we are called to love the people amongst whom we live – not just our friends and family – and because we know that by doing so, we are actively making a difference. Yes, we are called to show love in practical ways wherever we can, but prayer is not a second best.

So let me encourage you to join me in accepting this call. The set prayers are available here (or as larger print here), and take just 2 or 3 minutes to pray. Of course, you can pray much longer, including specific people and situations in your prayers, but if you are not used to praying, I think that this is a great start.

The suggestion is that we pray at 6pm, and it is useful to know that thousands of others will be praying at the same time as you. But if 6pm doesn’t suit the pattern in your house, pick another time that does.

Assuring you of my prayers during these next 4 weeks and on into Christmas

Matt

PS – you can find more information about this initiative, along with lots of helpful resources to support you through this time, at the Church of England website here.

Remembrance

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In the light of the latest government guidance relating to the new lockdown, we have had to cancel all public Remembrance services. However, it is possible for services to go ahead in a different format, so the current plan is as follows (subject to change, I’m afraid):

Sunday 8th, 10.45am

On Sunday, there will be gatherings at the War Memorial in Compton Bassett and the Garden of Remembrance in Heddington. The services are limited to those involved in them, serving or retired military, and those representing the community or a relevant charity. If you are in that group and think you should be there, could you please contact the Royal British Legion for Heddington, or the Parish Council for Compton Bassett. Numbers will have to be limited for everyone’s safety.

Tuesday 10th, 6pm

There will be a service from St James’ Church Cherhill, with the Scouts (including Beavers and Cubs) joining via Zoom.

Wednesday 11th, 10.45am

There will be a service by the War Graves in All Saints’ Churchyard, Yatesbury. I regret that this service is closed to the public and will be streamed only.

The services at Compton Bassett, Cherhill and Yatesbury will be streamed live via Youtube (look for “Oldbury Benefice”) and are open to everyone to watch. A direct link for each service will also be available on this website in the “Online Services” section and we will try to share the links via email and Facebook as widely as possible.

Please note, all the services will be more or less identical, so it is a case of which one you wish to view, if any. You may prefer to follow the suggestion of the Royal British Legion and stand at your door in silence for 2 minutes at 11am on Sunday morning.

Finally, although there is a general bann on singing, special permission has been given to sing the national anthem on this occasion.

Back everywhere!

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6 months after we were required to shut our churches to public worship, and 2 months after services recommenced in Heddington and Calstone, we are finally going back into all our churches. Look out for services in Cherhill, Compton Bassett and Yatesbury.

It isn’t possible to have services everywhere each week, so do keep a look out for where the services are each week. You can find the latest details on this website, in the Villages Magazine, and on https://www.achurchnearyou.com.

We will also continue to provide online services for those who feel uncomfortable inside with others – at least a live stream of one of the services, and a pre-recorded option where possible.

Looking forward to seeing you at something over the next few weeks.

Matt, Linda and the Oldbury Benefice