News from St Mary’s
6th June 2020
Letter from Bishop Ian 5th June 2020
Dear
sisters and brothers,
Pentecost is the feast of the ’new normal,’ life in the Spirit poured out on
the apostles and on all creation. As we celebrated Pentecost this year people
were talking about a different ‘new normal’ – our life after the Pandemic.
When we rebuild our lives, will we have a better sense of what is important? Or
will we just rush back to the same old life? What will ‘new normal’ mean
for the Church? What will our priorities be? How will we welcome those who have
been joining us online? How will we support those who are sad about people
and things that have been lost? What will we need to do if we are to open our
churches but keep people safe?
A week
ago over 40 clergy and lay readers shared in an online CMD Conference about
exactly these questions, organised for us by Michael Paterson.
Our discussions began from his reflections on the Four Hallmarks of
Ministry in Luke 24 (Jesus and the Disciples on the Road to Emmaus) in the
context of the pandemic. I’d like to thank all of you who attended (and
those who tried to but couldn’t due to broadband problems), to thank Michael
for organising it and for guiding our reflection, and to Carrie Applegath
and Elaine Garman for managing the event. The text and a video of
Michael’s presentation is available on the Diocesan website. https://standrews.anglican.org/clergy-development-resources/
The Scottish Government’s ‘Route Back’ outlines 4 Phases for opening up public
life. As we know, it is measured and cautious, and the timing of each Phase
will be announced when the Government decides the time is right. Phase 2
does envisage the possibility of churches being opened for individual prayer
and for funerals, but the requirements of physical distancing, provision
of handwashing and masks, deep cleaning, and support and training of
volunteers, will make this challenging and demanding for churches who
decide to offer this. And many of our active members, and some of our active
clergy and lay readers are ‘vulnerable’, and may be ‘shielding’ by
staying at home for longer than others. Very shortly the Advisory Group set up
by the College of Bishops will send out detailed practical Guidance
on what Episcopal churches would be able to do (and not do) once Phase 2
is announced by the Government. I (assisted by the Dean) will be ready to talk
to clergy and vestries who decide they want to take any of these steps
when the time comes. We all want to see the opening of our churches, but we
also know that opening them safely will require care and patience.
Globally, the pandemic is still in its early days, as we know from the present
situation in Brazil and India from our link bishops in Amazonia and
Calcutta (letters sent to you last week, and in the current
Diocesan E-News.
Also in the E-News, with Trinity Sunday and a version of Rublev’s icon in mind,
I have written about ‘Black Lives Matte’r and the reality of racism. It is in
all of our minds, in wake of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis
last week, as are the protests that have sprung up in the USA and in other
countries (the article is attached to this email). The fact is that Racism
is as real in Scotland as anywhere. Many people have said that the death of
George Floyd at the hands of police is a reminder of the equally unacceptable
death of Sheku Bayoh in Kirkcaldy in 2015. Mr Bayoh also died from
asphyxiation in the process of being detained. Accusations and
counter-accusations have circulated ever since, but it is only now, 5 years
later, that a public enquiry has been established. Mr Bayoh’s sister said,
“If he was a white man that is not the way his life would
have ended. … We are black people but we are not bad people. So
why do our children have to feel afraid walking in the streets?”
Like you I am horrified by Racism, and by how hard it still is for Black and
Asian people to be treated justly even here in Scotland. But as a White
male person I also know that I have a lot to learn about my own attitudes
formed by growing up in a world that privileges people like me. I chose to
write about Racism this month because even in the situation of pandemic and
lockdown, the Church has to engage with the other deep evils that continue
to oppress and destroy people’s lives, and to witness to the love of God that
calls us to overcome them. As clergy and lay readers we need to take
opportunities to think and pray together about enabling our churches to
engage. I hope that future CMD discussions and study gatherings will help us to
do this, even while we are struggling with Covid.
Racism, the abuse of women and children, homophobia, the exclusion of disabled
people, the neglect of older people – these evils are in reality the same evil,
the same sin: our refusal to respect and love every human
being, regardless of difference, as our equals in humanity, and as the
image of God. After Pentecost we have to pray that the Spirit will lead us and
all humankind into all the truth, that we may proclaim the word and works
of God.
Also attached to this are some further resources for you:
– the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer for 2020-21, revised with corrections received
after the draft was sent out recently.
– 2 more resources from St Luke’s Trust on the well being of those in ministry.
– the latest edition of the SEI Newsletter.
– information about bursaries offered by Ecclesiastical Insurance for clergy
study.
As always, please accept my great admiration and thanks for the love and prayer
you are bringing to help our congregations to continue in prayer and
service. Thank you for all your faithful work which is making this
possible.
With my greetings and blessings for Trinity Sunday,
Bishop Ian
Attached to Bishop Ian’s Letter were the following – click on each link to download
Also from the Diocese
Diocesan Resources for week 1st June 2020
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St Mary’s Heating project
Christopher Roads has been working incredibly hard to raise the funds for the Heating Project which has been approved by the Vestry and the Diocesan Building Committee.
Christopher writes this week;
“The SEC Building Grants Fund has awarded a grant of £8,000 towards this project. This brings the funds raised to date to £16,800 against a target of £18980.
“This sum includes three anonymous donations totalling £3050 which with Gift Aid can be increased to £3,660.
“Further fund-raising has stalled until the Covid epidemic is over as most funders, e.g. the Heritage Lottery Fund, will not entertain applications before October.”
Church Opening
The Church is still closed because of Covid-19.
But we see in the news that plans are being discussed to at least open Churches for Private Prayer in the first instance.
We will let you know as soon as we have information on this
.
Hopefully we shall be allowed to hold a form of service in the Church in due course
Richard and Melanie – Covid -19
Poor Richard and Melanie are still unable to move into their lovely new house. In the meantime, Richard is very kindly continuing to provide the congregation with Pastoral support. As a part of this, he is preparing a weekly Sunday Service, which we hope you like and enjoy.
We are VERY grateful to Richard for his continued work on our behalf.
