The Vicar's "Two Penn'orth"
April 2021:
Looking to the Future
Looking to the Future
Rev Paul, Vicar of Hoylake writes ...
Spring is evident all around us, and I am feeling very optimistic about the future. It looks like we are on the road to recovery, and it won’t be long before we can meet again socially. I particularly miss our “Bacon Butty mornings” in our church centre - it will be so good to just sit and chat and enjoy each other’s company.
If things continue to go as planned, we will be on track to open up more services at St Hildeburgh’s, and hopefully, come the summer, we will be able to reinstate Evensong and Open Worship. It was a real joy to hold an Easter Eucharist in church and celebrate with thankfulness the resurrection of the Lord. I am reminded of the words from 1 Peter 3:4:
If things continue to go as planned, we will be on track to open up more services at St Hildeburgh’s, and hopefully, come the summer, we will be able to reinstate Evensong and Open Worship. It was a real joy to hold an Easter Eucharist in church and celebrate with thankfulness the resurrection of the Lord. I am reminded of the words from 1 Peter 3:4:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.”
This was the beginning of our tentative steps in going forward. During Easter Saturday we even managed a virtual “Messy Church”, and I am really grateful to Peter and Jane and all those who helped make it such a success.
I am sure we have all learned a great deal from the lockdown - and what is really important - looking after each other and the wider community. The things that matter it seems to me are the simple things in life. Time with our family and our friends has been highlighted as one of the most precious things of all - and I include our church family in that. The book of Isaiah informs us in chapter 54 :10:
I am sure we have all learned a great deal from the lockdown - and what is really important - looking after each other and the wider community. The things that matter it seems to me are the simple things in life. Time with our family and our friends has been highlighted as one of the most precious things of all - and I include our church family in that. The book of Isaiah informs us in chapter 54 :10:
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”
It’s not always what we do in church but rather what we do for others that’s important. Seeing the church family caring and compassionate, helping feed the hungry is essential as we move forward to a new situation.
It’s been truly humbling to see our church school of Holy Trinity, Mrs Wright, and the staff get back to teaching face to face, and witnessing the care that the teachers put into keeping the children learning throughout the pandemic. I have heard many parents say how much more they now appreciate what our teachers do; it’s no easy matter keeping the children on task.
The Church of course has suffered by the loss of income during the last year or so and somehow we will have to address that. A huge ‘Thank You’ to everyone who has continued with planned giving - it has helped us keep going. However we now need to recommit ourselves to building the future and all of us to prayerfully review our giving. This year we will see a rise in the “Parish Share” and we have a “Quinquennial” architectural inspection looming - which will mean that repairs will be identified and that may be costly.
In all of this we must keep the faith, be thankful that God has brought us through this pandemic so far, and will, I know, continue to have his hand upon us.
The Old Testament reading from the book of Joshua 1:9 encourages us all:
It’s been truly humbling to see our church school of Holy Trinity, Mrs Wright, and the staff get back to teaching face to face, and witnessing the care that the teachers put into keeping the children learning throughout the pandemic. I have heard many parents say how much more they now appreciate what our teachers do; it’s no easy matter keeping the children on task.
The Church of course has suffered by the loss of income during the last year or so and somehow we will have to address that. A huge ‘Thank You’ to everyone who has continued with planned giving - it has helped us keep going. However we now need to recommit ourselves to building the future and all of us to prayerfully review our giving. This year we will see a rise in the “Parish Share” and we have a “Quinquennial” architectural inspection looming - which will mean that repairs will be identified and that may be costly.
In all of this we must keep the faith, be thankful that God has brought us through this pandemic so far, and will, I know, continue to have his hand upon us.
The Old Testament reading from the book of Joshua 1:9 encourages us all:
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Your friend,
Rev Paul,
Vicar of Hoylake
Vicar of Hoylake
