Dear friends,

I hope you’re managing with everything that is going on. It’s difficult being so isolated like this. Earlier this week I was called to a nursing home to visit someone at the end of their life. It brought it home to me that I had to ask myself if I should go. I did, using the appropriate measures, and I’m glad I went, but we now live in very difficult and challenging times. I hope that the latest video sermon on our website, titled 'Hope for The Hurting', focussing on the story of Lazarus, is helpful to you.

In terms of staying in contact with each other, if you're not used to using FaceTime or WhatsApp video, can I suggest that this might be the time to try it?
In addition, various meeting platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Hangouts are all great ways of having audio or video calls with more than one person. These are ideal for home groups. Why not try it?

I have now stopped praying in Church, following guidance from the Bishop to all clergy. However, I will continue to pray each morning at home at 8am, and tomorrow will have a Eucharist (Communion) service at 8:30am in the Vicarage Chapel! So, be assured of my prayers at this time.

Prayer Focus: Please click here to watch a short video from Bishop Graham Tomlin about dealing with our current situation. His encouragement to pray seems particularly relevant. I’d like to suggest people try to develop a pattern of prayer to help give structure to the day. I suggest using Lectio365 in the morning at around 8am, and then praying for our world at 12pm (particularly our NHS staff, those we see in supermarkets, our government, and those who are sick and lonely at this time). And then finally at 5pm, how about reading the Church of England's Daily Evening Prayer? (iOS Download - Android Download)
For some of you this rota and schedule will be a new idea. But please try it for a week as part of Lent and see if you’d like to continue.

In terms of helping with practical provisions, there is more scope for helpers, but also for those who need to be helped. If you are over 70, all you need to do is contact me ([email protected]) or simply reply to this email and either myself or Kath (who is helping co-ordinate) will link you up with someone.

We are also going to be offering a drop-off point for food and other items.
However, this will not be a ‘drop in’ to pick things up or collect from our Church. Instead, anything we receive will go to our local hub at Pudsey Parish Church to be cleaned, checked, and packaged for others. Any families or individuals in need in or around Calverley can access support by contacting [email protected] or calling 07368 251 603.
By centralising the processing at Pudsey, we believe we can reach more people in a more systematic way. Leaflets will be delivered to all homes in the Parish soon about this. Until the end of April, we’ll be trialling opening our Church for drop off of food and other items on Tuesdays & Fridays from 10am-12pm.
This will also be another opportunity for some volunteers.

We also have a long association with our local Bradford North Foodbank.
Please can I suggest donating funds so they can buy food? This would be the most helpful investment for them in the current situation.
Please click here to make a single or regular donation. Thank you.

Every week we see God at work in different ways, but this is a hard season.
Please be forgiving of yourselves and others at this time.

Blessings,
Phil