NEWS AND ARRANGEMENTS DURING THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK
Last updated: 16 August 2021
OPENING OF CHURCH FOR WORSHIP AND PRIVATE PRAYER
Sunday service times are currently as follows:
8.30 am Holy Communion at Holy Trinity
9.30 am Holy Communion at St Michael's
10.30 am Morning Prayer at Holy Trinity
Wednesday Communion services have also resumed:
10.00 am at St Michael's, Altcar
11.00 am at Holy Trinity, Formby
We have resumed singing while masked at our Sunday services.
Otherwise, our churches remain closed for private prayer on weekdays. When the situation changes, information will be posted here.
Online services and daily reflections will continue for the foreseeable future (see below).
YOU-TUBE BROADCASTS
We continue to produce short services and reflections on YouTube - they can be accessed at any time by clicking on the YouTube link (the red button) at the bottom of this page. You can find a morning service each Sunday, posted at 10.45 am. Our evening online service is posted at 4.00 pm. You can also find daily short reflections on Bible readings for the day from Monday to Saturday, posted at 9.00 am.
If you have more time on your hands, you might also wish to follow our series of "Experiencing God" videos posted on YouTube a few years ago and still available on the same button.
We are always keen to include photos or video clips in the "activities" section of the online Sunday morning service so if you have something to share (anything from an exciting event to a photo that sums up your daily routine) you are welcome to send it to duncan.wylie@ymail.com or by text or WhatsApp to 07455 067084.
INTERACTIVE SERVICES
Morning Prayer will return when Mark is back from holiday. Watch this space!
WHATSAPP 'CHATS WITH GOD' and EMAIL PRAYER CHAIN
You are invited to join 'Chats with God', our continuing prayer-sharing thread on WhatsApp. Please message Sue on 07920 858673 or Sylvia on 07872 314103 if you wish to be added to the group.
In addition, Geraldine Foster is co-ordinating a new email prayer chain. If you would like to find out more please email Mark (mark-stanford@hotmail.co.uk) and he will pass your details to Geraldine.
FOODBANK AND FOOD PANTRY
We are accepting Foodbank donations when the church is open on Sunday and Wednesday mornings (see times above). Also, Helen Davies is willing to collect foodbank donations from people during lockdown: please email Mark (see above) for Helen's contact details if you require a collection.
Several supermarkets and convenience stores are also collecting Foodbank donations in-store.
Suggested items: jars of baby food, tinned meat, tinned fruit, tinned vegetables, jars of jam, tinned rice and other puddings, sugar, rice, fruit juice, long-life milk, toilet rolls, miscellaneous treats.
If you are in need of a food bank voucher, for instance if you are facing a significant change in income or are awaiting benefits, please let Mark know (mark-stanford@hotmail.co.uk).
Also, the recently established Formby Food Pantry operates on Mondays, from 10.00 am, in the Workshop at Holy Trinity Church (see Notices).
ONLINE RESOURCES
Mark recommends Lectio 365; you can find details of their free app here:
https://www.24-7prayer.com/dailydevotional
Want to dig deeper, but don’t know where to start? Bible Project have some great videos and pod casts:
Want to read the bible on your phone? Download the free YouVersion app:
Lastly the Church of England’s Daily Office app - you’ll find details here:
https://www.chpublishing.co.uk/apps/time-to-pray
FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Vicky Higgins, a clinical psychologist and a member of our congregation, has produced some great short videos with tips on sustaining emotional well being. You can find them on our YouTube channel (click the red button below).
Emily (Mark and Sam’s daughter) has done some story telling for children, you can find them here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD32TU8IYas
And here some more ideas from Tim (Mark and Sam’s son-in-law) for older children:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkrNVQ_Fz7o
OTHER IDEAS?
Do please let us know if you wish to suggest other ways in which we can continue to serve our congregations and the local community in these "troublous times". Contact Mark as above.