St Laurence Church, 173 Church Road, Northfield, B31 2LX    
     Registered Charity 1132975
     

Hello

I hope you are keeping as well as possible, both physically and mentally.  We are living through very strange times with what was dubbed “Freedom Day” feeling more like “CAUTION DAY.”  Cases of Covid rise steadily and more and more people have to self-isolate, including Revd Theresa until 26th July.  Although the vaccine means far fewer people are going into hospital the numbers in ITU are increasing and the impact on the waiting lists is enormous.  St Laurence Church Schools have been badly affected these past 3 weeks with a lot of staff really quite poorly despite having been double vaccinated.  

In the light of this, the Bishop is advising us not to rush into returning to church life as it was.  For the moment, and probably for all of August, we will keep things as they are with pre-booking, wearing masks etc.    The building of the new porch is progressing so we hope to be able to use the main (flat) exit again before too long.  Services on Zoom/YouTube will also continue but a few more people to help host Zoom would be very helpful.  We’re aware that the quality of the broadcasting varies from week to week; some of this is outside our control but we’ve learning all the time.   They didn’t teach any of this at theological college.  

Some of you receiving this may not be aware that Fr David has recently retired.  He has served with us as Asst Curate and then as Associate Priest for 8 years during which time he has exercised a remarkable and generous ministry spiritually, pastorally and practically – and sometimes all 3 at once!   
His final Sunday was 11th July and the church was as full as it could be with a good number of people on zoom too. 
He and Anne have sent this message…. 
“We would like to thank everyone for the generous good wishes and for the gifts both personal and to Water Aid.  It is good that my retirement should be able to help bring clean water to those in need.  We will remember you all and pray for you in the weeks, months and years to come.  Thank you”
The Water Aid fundraiser is now up to £380 (and still open) or you can give a donation to Elaine Clements
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stlaurencenorthfield  

It was lovely to see quite a few people we had not seen for a while at CASH on Saturday 10th July.  Thank you to Rowena and her team for organising it.  Sadly, the next day we discovered that we had received an overnight visit from a burglar.  One of the small windows in the clergy vestry had been forced and the contents of the cupboards and drawers were all over the floor.  Thankfully very little seems to have been stolen or gone missing.    

The Ordinations, a couple of weeks ago, went well and Revd Theresa has put together some photos including some of ordinands who have done placements with us (Chris Chalmers and Ruth Harley) as well as Jacob and Dorothea’s daughter.  

Do find the Green Hearts and Bookmark in the pack; these are linked to our ‘Climate Sunday’ Service and the ongoing challenge to reduce our carbon footprint.  Also, over the summer we will be offering Forest Church on Wednesdays 11.30am – 12.15pm at Masefield Community Garden.  It is aimed at children already at primary school and accompanying adults.  Pre-booking will be required and further details on our web-site.  

Going forward, we have a demonstration from the lighting experts we are working with at 7pm on Wednesday 28th July.  We have about 15 places available for those not on the PCC.  If you would like to attend please let Lorraine Freeman know (0121 475 1518.)  

Meanwhile, enjoy the lighter evenings and whether or not you get away, I hope you have a summer which brings some relaxation and restoration.  I’m ‘holidaying at home’ this week…. 

Blessings   Can Jan                                                                                                            17th July 2021