Tadcaster Benefice

What’s happening next week?
 
Morning Prayer will continue next week, led by the list below from their homes.  Please join in at 9.30am. If there is something/someone you would like us to pray for please let Rachel know. You can access the document to follow the service at:  https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-service-daily-prayer 
 

• Monday – Celia Oldroyd
• Tuesday – Steve West
• Wednesday – Dorothy Clark (10.30am)
• Thursday – Tricia West
• Friday – Brenda Christmas

 
Simon will lead Compline (Night Prayer) every night apart from Friday (which will be the Wests).  You can access the document to follow the service at http://www.stmarystadcaster.co.uk/evening-prayer.html. Night Prayer will be done over Zoom conferencing on Wednesday and Sunday evenings (meeting ID 659184880).
 
How to use Zoom conferencing
You can use Zoom on a laptop, tablet or smart phone.  To join Zoom go to  https://zoom.us/  and register for a free account.  You can also download the app to your phone.  To join a meeting, at the time the meeting is scheduled to start either click the link for the meeting or open the app/website and enter the meeting ID.  If you’re struggling don’t worry – give Rachel a ring and she will try to help.
 
Virtual Coffee Morning/Afternoon
Following the success of Night Prayer via Zoom we would like to try a social meeting at 11am on Saturday 28th and 2pm on Thursday 2nd April.  Grab a hot drink and join the call for some general chat – and a quiz on Thursday for some light entertainment.  It would be lovely to catch up with people virtually. Click the link to join the meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/9861012744 or use meeting ID: 9861012744

The below statement was released on 23rd March.  This means we are no longer able to open our churches for prayer and reflection.  Please continue to pray at home.  Morning and Night Prayer will be said in the homes of those leading the service, if there's something you'd like us to pray for please get in touch.

Archbishops and Bishops: stay at home but continue to pray, to love, to care for the vulnerableThe Archbishops and Bishops of the Church of England have urged everyone to follow the instructions given by the Prime Minister to stay in their homes in a national effort to limit the transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19).But they called on the Church to “continue to pray, to love, to care for the vulnerable”.
It follows the announcement by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson of sweeping restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the virus.
It means all Church of England churches will close with immediate effect in line with the Government’s instructions. There will also be no Church weddings or baptisms.
Funerals at the graveside or in crematoriums can still take place, but only in line with the Prime minister’s Statement.
In a joint statement the bishops said: “In the light of the Government’s measures, announced by the Prime Minister this evening, we urge everyone to follow the instructions given. 
“We will give a fuller statement of advice as soon as possible. Let us continue to pray, to love, to care for the vulnerable, and build our communities, even while separated.”

Coronavirus Guidance
 
At the time of writing, 15th March 2020, the Church of England guidance on Coronavirus is as follows:
 

• All must wash hands or use hand sanitiser upon entry to church.  The sidespeople/welcomers will advise you where to do this as you arrive.
• There will be no use of the common cup (chalice) for the administration of wine. The presiding priest will receive wine on behalf of all the congregation and everyone else will receive only the wafer/bread.  Communicants are encouraged to stand to receive communion, to avoid contact with the rail.
• The Church of England commends good hygiene in the preparation and administration of Holy Communion, so that the President (and any others administering the bread) will use a hand sanitizer immediately before the preparation of the table and administration of the bread.
• Until further notice, the exchange of the Peace will not include a time of shaking hands etc.  Collection plates will not be handed round, a plate will be available for your offering at the end of the service.
• Catering is suspended (teas, coffees etc.) where multiple people touch mugs, utensils and foodstuffs.  Refreshments will not be served before/after services.  Saturday Morning Coffee Morning at the Boys’ Sunday School is suspended until further notice.

 
Some groups and events may be cancelled – we will issue updates on cancellations via social media/the website/ weekly notice sheets.  If you are unsure if a service/event/group is going to be going ahead and can’t find any information on this please contact Rachel on 07545 516949 (between 9 and 6pm). Don’t forget you can sign up to receive the notice sheet by email.  Contact Rachel on stmarystadcaster@gmail.com or telephoning 07545 516949 to be added to the notice sheet by email list.
 
At the time of writing Tadcaster Flood Action Group were setting up a community group to coordinate helping those in need during the Coronavirus outbreak.  We believe that it is important to have one central point of co-ordination rather than lots of separate groups replicating each other. Therefore, the plan at the time of writing is that we will be working in close partnership with this group. If you are self-isolating and worried about getting shopping/ prescriptions/ caring for pets or simply need someone to ring you to speak to you – please contact Rachel on 07545 516949 who will be the main point of contact for the Benefice. 

Mothering Sunday
22nd March 2020
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We will be holding special services across the Benefice on Mothering Sunday, suitable for all the family. 
 
10am Family Service at Newton Kyme

10am Morning Worship Service at Church Fenton

10.30am Family Friendly Holy Communion at Tadcaster
 
10.30am Morning Worship Service at Kirkby Wharfe
 

Come along to any of the services – flowers for all the ladies.  We look forward to seeing you.