Monthly Archives

March 2020

In CHURCH, DONCASTER, ST MARY'S

HELPING DONCASTER FOOD BANK

Unfortunately due to Covid-19 we cannot collect and take donations to the Foodbank at present, but you can still support them:

By leaving donations at the collection point at Tesco Woodfield Plantation, Balby, DN4 8SN (24hr)

By sending a money donation on line or by cheque to the Doncaster Trussell Trust Foodbank. Contact details on the Doncaster Foodbank website – https://doncaster.foodbank.org.uk/

By collecting items at home – see below.

The Foodbank can supplement donations from stock for the next few weeks. After that they will really need help to restock. That is when donations you have accumulated at home come in. Contact us at https://doncaster.foodbank.org.uk/contact-us/

Thank you.

In BISHOP, CHURCH, DIOCESE, NOTICES, ST MARY'S, TICKHILL

A MESSAGE FROM BISHOP PETE

A Message from Bishop Pete

My dear friends in Christ,

I suppose you will by now have heard, or seen reports of, the statement made by the Prime Minister tonight. I am sure it has come as a great shock even to those who have suspected that this step was bound to be taken eventually.

May I urge you please to comply fully with these severe restrictions and not to look for ways around them. Further advice will follow, probably tomorrow, about eg. emergency baptisms and numbers who might attend funerals.

But for now the message is clear:
Please stay at home; Please close your church buildings and keep them closed.

There are to be no more baptisms or weddings for the time being.

Please pray for the mercy and deliverance of God.
Please care for the vulnerable and be gentle with yourself.
Please do what you can, even from home, even while you are separated from family, friends and neighbours, to seek the perfect love which casts out fear, and to invest in relationship and community.

And now may the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

+ Pete

The Rt Revd Dr Pete Wilcox
Bishop of Sheffield

In CHURCH, DIOCESE, ST MARY'S, TICKHILL

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

It is with great sadness that we have to announce, that following the Government announcement on Monday 23rd March 2020, that the St. Mary’s Church building will no longer be opened during the day until we receive further advice from the Diocese.

However whilst the physical building is closed we will look at other ways to bring services and prayer support to the community.

If you are aware of anyone who needs our help please get in touch with us by phone, email or our contact form.  Details on our Contact page.

 

 

In CHURCH, MOTHERING SUNDAY, ST MARY'S, TICKHILL

MOTHERING SUNDAY FLOWERS

In days gone by Mothering Sunday was a day when domestic servants were given a day off to visit their mother church, usually with their own mothers and other family members. It was often the only time that whole families could gather together, since on other days they were prevented from doing so by conflicting working hours.
 
This year many are unable to spend Mothering Sunday with their mothers and families due to the current Coronavirus issue.
 
It is usual for St. Mary’s to give Mothering Sunday flowers, as a gift, during our 10:30 am service. Whilst this service cannot go ahead we do have these flowers available for collection in Church, which remains open for quiet personal reflection and prayer.
In CHURCH, ST MARY'S, TICKHILL

LIGHT A CANDLE OF HOPE

Light a candle of hope

A national call to prayer in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic

This Mothering Sunday, 22 March, we have been urged as Christians, by church leaders in Britain and Ireland, to take part in a National Day of Prayer and Action about the coronavirus.

At 7 p.m. this Sunday, please light a candle in the windows of your homes as a visible symbol of the light of life, Jesus Christ, our source and hope in prayer.

Though we are not, at present, able worship as congregation, we have the great privilege and freedom to be able to call upon God, wherever we are, individually and corporately, for healing in our nation. We would pray for all in leadership at this time, making decisions about the containment of the Covid-19 virus, for those working in health and social care, and especially for the most vulnerable, whether elderly or those with underlying health conditions.

There are already stories being told of wonderful acts of kindness across neighbourhoods. Alongside your prayers, take the opportunity to telephone or email someone who is isolated, buy some additional food for your local foodbank, or offer to deliver shopping for an elderly neighbour. We may not be able to touch physically, but we can make connections in so many other ways.

In the meantime, do please attend to all the government health advice that will be issued, and look out for resources from your specific church governing bodies. At least for those of us in the global North, we do seem to be in unusual times, and wisdom and flexibility about worship gatherings are a key part of our Christian discipleship during this period.

We note that this call to prayer and action comes on Mothering Sunday: a time of thankfulness, remembering especially mothers who have served us, often in very costly ways. It is also a very mixed day for many. For some the remembrance is painful, and for others Mothering Sunday is a reminder of disappointment or loss.

In many ways, this period under the shadow of the coronavirus will be prompting similarly diverse reactions and so it seems especially appropriate that the call to prayer is made this Sunday. At this time of uncertainty join in with the National Day of Prayer and Action, lighting a candle of hope.

“Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5.7

Presidents of Churches Together in England:
Archbishop Justin Welby, The Archbishop of Canterbury
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, The Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster
Revd Dr Hugh Osgood, The Free Churches Moderator
Archbishop Angaelos of London, CTE President for the Orthodox Churches
Pastor Agu Irukwu, CTE Pentecostal President

In CHURCH, ST MARY'S, TICKHILL

Coronavirus Update

Dear Friends,

This afternoon the Archbishop’s of Canterbury and York have suspended all public acts of worship. Therefore all our public services at St Mary’s Tickhill and St Winifrid’s Stainton,  midweek and on Sunday’s are suspended until further notice.

In the meantime St Mary’s will continue to remain open for private prayer during the day, and we will as a church community continue to pray for you all. If there is anything anyone needs, the Church community remains here for you and we will do everything we can to help.

With all our love and prayers

Revd Ali.