Feast of St Cuthbert, 20th March 2020
Brothers and sisters,
As you will now be aware, public worship and events are suspended at All Saints for a season. However, Church is not suspended! Those of us who are online can connect via the live streaming of Morning and Evening Prayer at 8.30am and 5pm Tuesday—Friday and of the Eucharist on Sundays at 9.30am. Head to beneficeoflangelei.org.uk/allsaints for details of how to join in and keep an eye on our Facebook page. We may have to change these arrangements as the advice changes: we will update you. You may also wish to tune in as Archbishop Justin leads a national broadcast this Sunday 22nd March across BBC radio at 8am.
Pastoral care and service in the community also continues. Every church member will be kept in touch with by the pastoral care team over the ‘phone. If you need any assistance, please share this with the person who calls you and we will arrange appropriate support in partnership with Kings Langley Good Neighbours. If you are in a position to offer support please also share that with your caller, with the Churchwardens or me, or contact Kings Langley Good Neighbours directly: klgna.org tel. 07790 668672
As a sign of solidarity with each other and our neighbours and as symbol of hope, the national church is inviting us to display a lighted candle in our windows at 7pm this Sunday 22nd March. If you have received this via email I hope you can find a candle or improvise at home! If you have received a hard copy through your door you will have also received a tea light. May I also encourage everyone to pray the prayer at the end of this letter when they light their candle at 7pm. We can pray together even though we cannot meet together!
I hope we will be able to meet in church again soon. If you are able to get out, the church will remain open until further notice between 9.30 and 5pm for quiet reflection. If you would like to speak to me or a churchwarden about anything or just for a chat, our details are below.
You may find it helpful to reflect on the passage below. St. Paul encourages the Ephesians that despite their different backgrounds they are one in Christ. Despite our physical distance we remain one in Christ too.
Ephesians 2: 17-22
Christ came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling-place for God.
This comes with my love and prayers for you, especially as we approach Mothering Sunday, which some of us may find particularly hard under the circumstances. Please may I ask you to pray for each other, our community and our world.
May the peace of the Lord be always with you.
Father James
A special Prayer for Mothering Sunday
Jesus, like a mother you gather your people to you;
You are as gentle with us as a mother with her children.
Despair turns to hope through your sweet goodness;
Through your gentleness we find comfort in fear.
Your warmth gives life to the dead,
Your touch makes sinners righteous.
Lord Jesus, in your mercy heal us;
In your love and tenderness remake us.
In your compassion bring grace and forgiveness,
For the beauty of heaven, may your love prepare us.
Saint Anselm (1109)
Contact Details
Fr. James: Tel. 01923 903531 Email james.a.mcdonald@live.co.uk
Brian McAdam: Tel 01923 266667 Email b.mcadam1@sky.com
Ingrid Allen: Tel 01923 268253 Email iruthallen@talktalk.net
Safeguarding Officer: Lynne Head 07496994091 itslindy@gmail.com