22nd March 2020

Dear Friends,

The Bishop of Chelmsford has this evening asked that all church buildings in the Diocese of Chelmsford close their doors to ensure that the spread of COVID-19 is limited, and it is important that we all take this on board. You can find his message here.

This must have been a very difficult decision to make and I personally feel very saddened by this news, but it is important that we do so for the good of our neighbours, our community, and nation.

From tomorrow (23rd March 2020), therefore, none of our churches will be open to the public for private prayer. I will still be saying prayers in church for as long as possible and we will still be producing our online services with the Saffron team.
Please remember that is is not the church building that makes the church but you, the people of God. .This week we have seen how remarkable our communities are in coming together and serving one another. It is the light of Christ that we share that never can be extinguished.

"I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness." John 12:46

You all remain in my prayers and please do contact me if you need pastoral support at this difficult time.

With love,

Rev. Alex.


18th March 2020

Dear Friends,

By now you may have heard that the Church of England has had to make the difficult decision to suspend services for the time being. This excludes funerals and weddings but means that we will not be able to gather together as a worshipping community at our churches for a while. However, many of our churches will remain open and you can go in and pray or just enjoy the stillness. Revd. Tim and Revd. Alex will be in church Sunday mornings to pray for our communities and you can pray with them either at home or in church.  Revd. Alex will continue to pray for our communities at 11am each day at All Saints, Great Chesterford.

As we battle against fear, the Coronavirus and isolation, we wanted to assure you all of our prayers in the coming days.

Life in all its highs and lows is a journey. As the church embarks on this journey we are invited to join together in a national Day of Prayer and Action, this Sunday 22nd March, Mothering Sunday. We will remember those who are sick or anxious and those working in our Health Service. As one action we are calling on everyone to place a lighted candle in their window at 7pm as a sign of solidarity and hope in the light of Christ that can never be extinguished. Please join in with this simple act of faith if you would like to do so.
You will all be in our thoughts in the time ahead.

With love,
Alex and Tim.

A prayer for COVID-19

Keep us, good Lord,
under the shadow of your mercy
in this time of uncertainty and distress.
Sustain and support the anxious and fearful,
and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may rejoice in your comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.

New to church? More about us