Dear Friends,

One of the key aspects of November in our parish life is ‘remembering’.
On the first Sunday in November, we remember, with thanksgiving, those who were connected with our parish in some way and have died over the course of the past year. On the second Sunday in November, we remember those who gave their life in times of war or in times of conflict since then. These are solemn and important occasions. It’s important, particularly, for those who have perhaps had to endure funeral services with many restrictions.

As we continue to journey through this time of pandemic, the news reminds us of rising figures through the Delta variant of Coronavirus. It’s important to stay vigilant especially as restrictions begin to ease, it’s important to pause to remember. Last year we asked the congregation to give priority to those who have been bereaved in the past year and to stay at home and watch the service on YouTube or to listen in through the dial-in service.

Even as social distancing has been reduced to one metre, our
capacity, depending on the make up of the groups who come to church, will remain less than 90. We have written to families and as this magazine goes to print, we are awaiting their response.

We are now delighted to have welcomed back our Sunday School and we seek to give them, also with their families, priority on that Sunday. For this reason, you may find the number of available spaces on the first Sunday in November greatly reduced as we have allocated preference to those who have been bereaved and wish to attend the Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance as well as our Sunday School families.

The Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance will be repeated on Sunday evening and some families who were bereaved have expressed a preference to come to that service. I would suggest that there will be more spaces available at the evening service than the morning service and encourage those who love to come in person to worship, to consider attending in the evening on that Sunday if they are able to do so.

At our Service of Remembrance on the second Sunday in November when we remember those who died in times of war and subsequent conflicts, there will be an Act of Remembrance at the morning service only. This service, too, will be livestreamed as all our morning services are and there will be the opportunity for people to book in as normal. I mention it because these are often occasions when people who are not regular church attenders like to come to church and we are still operating in a situation of restrictions with regards to numbers as we do all in our power to keep everyone safe.

As we think about remembrance this month, it’s important to bring our organisations to people’s thoughts and consideration. The St. Finnian’s Toddlers, the Boys’ Brigade and the Anchor Boys have all resumed their activities. The leaders have put a huge amount of work into putting safety measures in place to keep us all safe and help us adhere to the current guidelines and restrictions.

While we recognise that many people are understandably cautious about returning to activities, we do need people to support them to make them viable and so we remember our organisations and leaders this month in our prayers asking for God’s protection and wisdom as we cautiously reopen these groups.

In these times of remembering we are grateful for the technology team and the audio visual system in church that enables people to stay connected virtually and which enables people overseas and continents to share our services and events in church with us. These are not things we should take for granted and they reflect a huge amount of investment and effort on the part of many people behind the scenes and we are very grateful.

As we think about remembrance, one of the important things for all of us to do as a church community is to remember each other. The parish prayer meeting is a way to do that as we meet each Thursday over Zoom to pray for situations in the world, in our country and in the church. We also have an opportunity to pray for people either from the parish or beyond who have asked for our prayers. If you have never come along and would like to try it from the safety and comfort of your home, you need to download the Zoom application on a computer, tablet or smartphone and send an email to zoomtostfinnian@btconnect.com to receive the weekly invitation.

I know there are many who have been remembering others through phoning and writing cards and in their prayers and this is greatly valued.
One of our most consistent “pray-ers” is our Prayer Warrior, Robin, who spends his days remembering in prayer those who have asked for his prayers. This month Robin is having to step back temporarily from that work as he has not been well. If we could remember Robin in our prayers, as he remembers us all, that would be appreciated.

As we take a time of remembrance in November we also remember God’s faithfulness and goodness to us as we celebrate Harvest Thanksgiving at the end of October and as we look forward to the season of Advent. Further details of our Advent Services will be available in this month’s and next month’s magazine.

Very best wishes to everyone.

Yours sincerely, Jonathan Pierce (Rector)

Telephone 028 90793822