Coronavirus – Current Situation

Update from 26/3/2020

Well, hello, long time no see, literally.

We hope you all enjoyed last Sunday’s services. A lot of new skills were learnt, and we shall be honing things for this next week, so, we hope you will join us again. We may not quite be up to Joe Wicks’ numbers, but we were heartened by the numbers of people who had tuned in live to the morning service, and the numbers who watched it after the event.

I can’t speak for you, but for where we were, we certainly felt that we were taking part in something much bigger, and that we were still part of a larger Community. Certainly, we found the commute much easier, a lot less setting up and the refreshments were really quick!

Obviously, this isn’t supposed to become church, or be church, as, this is only temporary, but it does serve as a good reminder that wherever 2 or 3 are gathered together, Jesus is in our midst. Church is wherever we are, as the flood reminded us in November.

We have also begun to put some other content up on the YouTube page so, click on the link, and you will be able to see what we’ve been up to. This is also where you’ll find this Sunday’s services.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTHC9LYm7oj-O7JlJnTtBAw

Tonight’s Lent course is going to appear on the above link, like last week, but a little later, as we’re going to run the course Live, via Zoom. We’re doing this to allow for some interaction. If you don’t get our update emails, but would like to join us, please let us know and we can forward you the details.

You will hopefully now be aware that the church has had to be locked up. We have asked 1 person to look after the building, by popping down occasionally. If we haven’t asked you, then, you are not that person. Even if you have a key, please do not venture down there. It sends the wrong message to the village and to other church members. If you think of a task that may need doing (no, grass-cutting doesn’t count), then let the office know and we’ll pass it on.

If you would like to receive the update emails that we’re sending out to church, then, please do email the office on office@stalkmundsduffield.co.uk and we can add you, and send you a GDPR form for our records.

We have now been able to allocate almost everyone into a small group, but if this is something you feel you would like to be a part of, please do email the office.

Similarly if you become aware of anyone who may be struggling, do, please, let us know so that we can put them in contact with someone.

And, the office does have a phone (07961 891168). It will be with Diane, who is going to working every morning at other times, it will be switched off and so, you can leave a message. Emma will be working Thursdays and Fridays. However, the best way to get a response will be to email, as we can both access those on the days we work. I hope that makes sense.

We have been so touched by people’s obvious care for one another, and would urge everyone to keep doing what they can do whilst they are able to do it.

Bless you,

The Staff Team

Update from 19/3/2020

Hello everyone, anyone know how Desmond Carrington must have felt? Or, Robinson Crusoe?

We’ve set up a YouTube channel across the Benefice where we can keep you updated with video’s to encourage, inform and also be visible to you all.

You can view our first video here from James Hughes who will explain about Sunday, but also have some suggestions for how we can be connecting with one another.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GORPSadJZVI

In this video, James reflects briefly on Psalm 46, reminding us that God is our refuge and strength; that the Lord is sovereign over all things, and that in the midst of current events, we should use our time wisely to reflect on God and who He is. He also outlines our plans as a Benefice to have an online service this Sunday 22nd March, at 10am and 4:30pm, for people to watch and participate in. We are encouraging everyone as a Benefice to utilise videoconferencing technology to keep in touch and in contact; we will be developing more video content in due course and looking into how we can continue other activities, such as youth groups, online too.

If you wish the receive these links, or other updates from the church office, then, please email the office at office@stalkmundsduffield.co.uk and we can add you to our distribution list.

Thank you to all those of you who have informed us that you’re self isolating, please do let us know if your circumstances change.

“The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is out fortress.” Psalm 46 v 7

Update from 17/3/2020

Well hello everyone, wherever you are, in whatever state of isolation, distancing or sanitisation.

We have “met” as staff time this morning ~(over the internet – anti-virus packages all up-to-date; keyboards wiped with anti-bac cloths) and discussed a few things going forward in these unprecedented times.

Firstly, is everyone well? Do let us know. We have agreed as the staff team to be working from home. and this means, that the email will be working, but if you do need to call someone, we’ve reverted to the office mobile (a temporary fix following the flooding). Emma will be in possession of this, but please note, she only works Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and so, it will be switched off at other times. It does have a voicemail feature, though and so, messages will be responded to on Emma’s working days. However, we are having a few technical hitches, so you may need to contact Emma at home. If this is the case,  please phone a vicar if you need the number (but only on those days, and please, not in the evenings. That’s family time.

The lunchtime concert next week, is cancelled, as well as the April’s Songs of Praise at Little Eaton.

Sunday Services will be discussed on Thursday. We’ll let you know via here and on Social Media what we are able to offer.

You will be aware that the government advice is changing rapidly, as is the advice from the C of E, and so, we will keep this page updated as soon as we have something for you.

Please, if you know if people without Internet, please pass on these details to them and try to, safely, keep them in the loop.

We are trying to organize ways to keep up contact with those who are self-isolating, or social distancing, so, if you think someone isn’t being contacted, please do let us know.

At the moment, it looks as though the Lent course will be pre-recorded and the handouts added on to the Lent course page. So, if you’re able, do, virtually, join us for that.

The church is remaining open, thanks to our dedicated team of opener-uppers, so, if it is safe for you to do so, and you would like to go down for a bit of quiet reflection, please do make use of that.

Again, if that advice changes, we will let you know.

We are not going to be producing any Notice sheets, for the time being. This is due to the speed of the change in advice, and therefore, whatever we produce, will be out of date when we go to print. So, keep an eye out here, on social media (might be a good time to join? We’re on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin), or phone a friend.

We will be updating via the church noticeboards as well, so, if people are asking, do be pointing them there as well.

Let’s be looking out for one another, looking after one another, and, above all else, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way.” Psalm 46:1-2a.

Update from 17/3/2020

Well hello everyone, wherever you are, in whatever state of isolation, distancing or sanitisation.

We have “met” as staff time this morning ~(over the internet – anti-virus packages all up-to-date; keyboards wiped with anti-bac cloths) and discussed a few things going forward in these unprecedented times.

Firstly, is everyone well? Do let us know. We have agreed as the staff team to be working from home. and this means, that the email will be working, but if you do need to call someone, we’ve reverted to the office mobile (a temporary fix following the flooding). Emma will be in possession of this, but please note, she only works Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and so, it will be switched off at other times. It does have a voicemail feature, though and so, messages will be responded to on Emma’s working days. However, we are having a few technical hitches, so you may need to contact Emma at home. If this is the case,  please phone a vicar if you need the number (but only on those days, and please, not in the evenings. That’s family time.

The lunchtime concert next week, is cancelled, as well as the April’s Songs of Praise at Little Eaton.

Sunday Services will be discussed on Thursday. We’ll let you know via here and on Social Media what we are able to offer.

You will be aware that the government advice is changing rapidly, as is the advice from the C of E, and so, we will keep this page updated as soon as we have something for you.

Please, if you know if people without Internet, please pass on these details to them and try to, safely, keep them in the loop.

We are trying to organize ways to keep up contact with those who are self-isolating, or social distancing, so, if you think someone isn’t being contacted, please do let us know.

At the moment, it looks as though the Lent course will be pre-recorded and the handouts added on to the Lent course page. So, if you’re able, do, virtually, join us for that.

The church is remaining open, thanks to our dedicated team of opener-uppers, so, if it is safe for you to do so, and you would like to go down for a bit of quiet reflection, please do make use of that.

Again, if that advice changes, we will let you know.

We are not going to be producing any Notice sheets, for the time being. This is due to the speed of the change in advice, and therefore, whatever we produce, will be out of date when we go to print. So, keep an eye out here, on social media (might be a good time to join? We’re on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin), or phone a friend.

We will be updating via the church noticeboards as well, so, if people are asking, do be pointing them there as well.

Let’s be looking out for one another, looking after one another, and, above all else, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way.” Psalm 46:1-2a.