Coronavirus

Following decisions by the Methodist Church and the Sheffield Circuit, activities on our church premises have ceased for a period of 12 weeks from March 17^th.

Rev James writes:

Dear friends,

In line with Government and national Methodist Church guidance, the Sheffield Circuit which includes Coal Aston, has today advocated that all activity ceases on church premises for 12 weeks.

We are keeping in touch and I am looking at how worship material can be made available so that we can all join together on Sunday morning even if it’s in our homes as well as how we care for each other and the wider community.

Libby writes:

We WILL get through this, it will be hard but we are tough.  We will be filling our lovely little chapel again with music, laughter and best of all love. Not only with the love for each other but for the love of our God who will see us through this terrible time.

I urge you all to read Romans, Chapter 8, Verses 35 to 39.  Read those wonderful words aloud every day,  - no nothing can separate us from the love of God.

As the Boys’ Brigade hymn says “Will your anchor hold”?  Yes, it will, yes it will.

Show and Tell

www.facebook.com/pg/coalastonmethodist

To help us through this period of isolation and concerning news, our Facebook page has launched a Show and Tell series. Here readers can post a reflection, a short story, a poem, a handful of photos or a few minutes of video and add any comments they like – something which will take our minds off the virus and bring us together.

Do have a look, and feel free to contribute something of your own.

How to post

Go to the Home page (click on Home in the left-hand margin if necessary).

Find the Create Post box in the centre of the page, two rows under the Church photo.

Start typing where it says ‘Write a post’. Or click on the Photo/Video icon just below.

To view recent posts

Click on Posts in the left-hand margin.

On Facebook now

       Wander through rural Coal Aston with Tony

      James sings his There Will be a Time

      Richard introduces his bees

      A poem from Rachel        

       Libby reads 'A Place in the Sun' by Pam Ayres

       Two walks on the golf course

       Fran and Coralie - Donkey gets chosen

       Sylvia brngs a cutting of a Christian Aid walk

       Chris reflects on her favourite hymn

      A spring walk

       Three poems

       Easter photos around the village from Richard

       Libby reads a poem for coronavirus by Jan Beaumont

       Patrick compares plague food arrangements in Bristol and Eyam

       Cow and calf Apperknowle way

       Libby reads a poem for VE Day by Patricia Denise Newman

       Sylvia shares some thoughts from the Community Garden

       Looking for nature on our doorstep with Jayne

       Audrey lifts the lid on her bees

       Chris tells how she came to love Psalm 8

Coronavirus prayer for God’s intervention and protection

Dear Creator of the World,

We come before you asking your mercy on us to halt the spread of the coronavirus. 

We pray for those already infected with coronavirus that they may receive prompt, effective and compassionate medical care that will restore them to health.

We pray your protection and grace for all medical professionals who are courageously treating those infected with coronavirus.  May they be shielded, strengthened and guided as they administer healing treatments and care. 

We pray your protection over those most vulnerable to disease, for our babies, our children, our elders, our poor, disabled and those weakened by other health conditions.

We pray for those under quarantine that they might be comforted by your presence and protected from disease, anxiety and fear.   

We pray for our public healthcare leaders and government agencies that they might be informed and well prepared as they deal with the coronavirus.  Grant them the resources and manpower they need to use their wisdom in the best interest of public health.

We pray for the researchers who are tracking the course of the coronavirus.  May they uncover patterns that will help us understand how to stay healthy. 

We pray for those searching for treatments, cures and vaccines.  May you guide them, reveal new ideas and accelerate their discoveries to fight this disease. 

We pray for the communities, areas and countries hardest hit by coronavirus.  Restore their sense of wellbeing and community.  Sustain them, comfort them and give them hope. 

We pray for all whose lives are disrupted by the coronavirus.   We pray for families who have been separated and for those whose livelihoods have been jeopardized.    

We look to you, Oh God, praying that the spread of the coronavirus will be halted and that many lives might be spared.

We pray that through this crisis you may draw us closer to you, grow our compassion and increase our knowledge.

Thank you that you are the Great Physician who not only heals us but who is a a very present help in our time of need as the Bible tells us that you “Took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.”  (Matthew 8 :17 NIV)

Thank you for hearing our prayer.

Amen.

Karen Barber    February 27 2020