Prayer and Message from the Rector 18 July 2021
Heavenly Father we thank you for your love, we thank you for your gift of Grace we thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit, we thank you for the gift of each other and we pray for our ability lo see as you see and love as you love. In the name of Jesus Amen

When we went into the first lock down with the Covid pandemic we were quickly told all the things we couldn’t do. As we approach the end of restrictions things are a lot less clear. What was going to be “Freedom Day” seems to have become the end of restrictions and the start of “Common Sense Day”. While the legal restrictions are being removed it is being left up to organisations to decide for themselves what measures are appropriate for the safety of staff and customers. It is being left up to individuals to decide when it is necessary to wear a face mask or maintain social distancing. It feels a bit scary as we have been told what to do for so long but we have come through the worst of the pandemic and let’s pray that people use their common sense to stay safe. As an organisation the church also has a responsibility to those who work for it and also to those who volunteer and worship or even simply visit the buildings. The church nationally will be evaluating the new situationwith advice from the national government and we await the churches advice and guidance. In the meantime we will have to apply a little common sense ourselves. Peace and blessings Richard

This week’s Diary

Tuesday 23 June 10.30am Morning Prayer at St Clement Skegness
Wednesday 24 June 10am – 12noon Pop-in at St Matthew for coffee, cake and a chat
2-4pm Mix and Make group meet at St Clement Community Hall
Saturday 27 June 10am-12 noon Coffee Morning at St Peter and Paul, Ingoldmells
1.30pm Wedding-Riley Taylor and Isobel Hayes at St Nicholas Addlethorpe

Upcoming Diary Dates and News
On Sunday 28th June Les and Lucy Ireland will be baptising their granddaughter Mira at St Matthews church at 2pm. If you are free you are welcome to join us at the service. We would love you to come along.
Wednesday 1 July 3pm Funeral Jean Harrison at St Matthew
Thursday 2 July 2pm Jean Harrison Cremation Service (Committal) at Alford Crematorium.
A message from her son Martin: Please come to the funeral service, and if possible, also the cremation, to help me celebrate mum’s wonderful life.. I’m preparing some materials to illustrate mum’s life, best read before the service begins so you might want to come a few minutes early. You are also invited to the wake at Number 9 restaurant in Lumley Avenue after the service. Instead of flowers, donations please to be made to Barnardo’s Childrens’ Charity. They are dear to Jean’s heart. She raised over £10,000 for them. There will be a collecting box in the church, and the Funeral Director, Skegness and District Funeral Service has a number to call for card donations:.
Tuesday 7th July 7pm at St Matthew we will be hosting the Archdeacons Visitation for the swearing in of our Churchwardens and those in our Deanery. Please come and support them.
MU meeting on Monday 15th June. John, a fellow of the Royal Astronomy Society gave an inspiring talk with slides about the sun, moon and planets. He is well travelled and talked about the history of astronomy and different telescopes and their functions. On 12th August there will be a 93% eclipse to be seen on Skegness - warning, do not look directly at the sun. He was extremely knowledgeable and everyone enjoyed the afternoon.

Services

St Matthew, Skegness* – 11am Holy Communion (Every Sunday)
St Clement, Skegness – No Sunday service
St Peter & St Paul, Ingoldmells – 10.30am Sunday Service (2nd, 3rd and 5th Sunday of the month)
St Nicholas, Addlethorpe – 9.30am Holy Communion (4th Sunday of the month)
St Mary, Winthorpe – Remains closed

Midweek Services:
St Clement, Skegness – Tuesday 10.30am Morning Prayer (2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month)

*Live streamed on our Facebook page “Skegness Group of Churches”