Congregational Letter Sept 2021

Dear Friends,

Warm Spring greetings to you all. As we witness life bursting forth all around us, we are reminded of the life God offers us through Christ, who burst forth from the grave victorious over sin and death. I am sure that many of us need to be reminded of this as we continue to struggle amid the pandemic. I am grateful for the signs of hope that the vaccine offers. May we continue to do all that we can to ensure that life wins out over death.

I am very pleased to let you know that our recent Conference agreed to allow online Communion during the pandemic. This means that those who participate from home will now be able to join in with Communion. This Sunday (3 Oct) will be a Communion Service. If you are not able to join in-person, you are welcome to join online. You are invited to have some bread and grape juice ready when you watch the service and, at the appropriate time, when invited, to eat the bread and drink the juice. We trust that this will help to bridge the gap just a little more.

Please note that you are welcome to join the Sunday service in-person. At the moment we only have one service at 09h00 but, you may have already received and completed the survey to check how many would be willing to attend in-person as we consider going back to two services. If you have not yet completed the survey please click on this link https://forms.gle/b6ewi5a2UsKyWMY49 and complete the short survey.

At the moment the regulations only allow us to have 37 people attending a service (50% of full capacity with required 1.5m physical distancing). This may change again soon. Please contact the church office to book so that we can plan adequately if you intend to join us.

I can assure you that all COVID protocols are strictly adhered to. You are safer at church than in the shops.

Jean has indicated in the latest newsletter that there will be a Garden Morning on Saturday 23 Oct. This will also double as our “Harvest Festival” as we celebrate Spring together. Please feel free to pop in to the church garden from 09h30 to 11h00 and bring some fresh produce or non-perishables. All food donations received will be shared with those in need.

A huge thank you for your ongoing financial support for the mission and ministry of God in this Circuit. Our Circuit is struggling to meet our obligations and we invite you to continue to pray for God’s provision. If you have planned giving envelopes that need to be collected please contact the church office to arrange for collection.

Please note that I will be on leave from 4-10 Oct. Please contact the church office for any urgent needs during this time.

There will be no in-person service on Sunday 10 Oct. There will be an online service at 09h00 led by Nicole Terblanche (a Local Preacher from the Table Bay Circuit).

I strongly encourage you to get vaccinated if you have not already done so, so that we can begin to open up our in-person contact once again. Together, we can beat this virus.

I continue to hold you in prayer and remind you that I am available for all Pastoral needs.

Grace & Peace

Steven