Dear Friends
Well, the situation with the pandemic is looking so much better, and I read yesterday that the level of infection in Shropshire is now the lowest in the West Midlands area AND below the national average! So things are looking very positive for us being able to begin re-opening for public worship on Palm Sunday. You can read all about that and find a list of the services from Palm Sunday through Holy Week to Easter Day in the Loop. Please do book places at church for these services by contacting your churchwarden(s) – we just don’t know how many people are likely to want to come, so to avoid difficulty or disappointment at this very special time of year, it’ll be such a help to know who is planning to come, as we’re still restricted by all the same social distancing regulations.
On Tuesday there is to be a national Day of Reflection, to mark the anniversary of the beginning of the first lockdown in 2020, you can find details of that in the Loop too. There is also a special service planning for Holy Saturday, coming from Lichfield Cathedral on the same theme.
I hope this finds you in good heart, as we approach the 29 March, when the PM will announce whether the next phase of the roadmap can be unlocked. Let’s pray that things continue to go in the right direction so that the chance to meet up with loved ones outside becomes a reality again! We can pray too for the continued vaccine rollout, despite this week’s tensions and the news of how it will be affected in April by reduced supplies. Thank God that all those due to have their 2nd jabs will still be able to. And pray too for the many poor countries of the world where vaccination has hardly started. We are so blessed by the vaccine provision for us here in the UK, we give thanks, while not forgetting that there are still many, many challenges arising from the pandemic for individuals and families across the nation, and praying about those.
So, as we approach that point in the year (next weekend!) when the clocks go forward, we can have a greater sense of hope that we’ve had for some time. Officially now there is more light than darkness each day! Spring is happening around us, and the most precious part of the year for Christians is almost with us. There is so much for which to give thanks.
God’s blessing be with you, and all those you love and pray for, today and always ~
Mary-Lou x
21 Mar Loop
