Between posts last autumn, our new DDO Craig Holmes ran an ultra-marathon. I remember googling ‘Grand to Grand Ultra’ to learn more about him (and it). I couldn’t quite believe what I read amidst pictures of rocky outcrops and campsites in the desert: ‘Challenge yourself to an experience unlike any other. Running from the rim of the Grand Canyon to the summit of the Grand Staircase you will discover new strengths and lifelong friends, running in the remotest part of America. Grand to Grand has become a legendary feat of endurance. Are you up for it?’

 
You can ask Craig for yourself how it went. He survived, though I don’t think even he understands quite how, in some parts. One element was utterly key: the comfort and joy of being in it with others. Of not being alone.
 
Back in April I recall Bishop Andrew urging us in lockdown to prepare for a marathon not a sprint. Now in August, it seems to be turning into an ultra-marathon. The end point continues to recede and the dangers of exhaustion and discouragement increase.
 
From the Local Ministry Programme to confirmation classes, from baptisms to ordinations, from homegroups to almost every parish worship service across the diocese, we need to dig deep, slim down and stick together. Like never before we’re forced to ask: what is essential?
 
It is essential that we continue to worship, lifting our hearts together to the Almighty who chooses to be with us forever in Christ. And it is essential that each disciple is resourced for their running– to step out each morning in faith and witness. At the risk of stating the obvious, our campsites may flex and the meal options be hybrid. That might mean sharing worship services or youth meetings or alpha courses or music resources for a season, between churches and across deaneries. I urge clergy and lay ministers and wardens to reduce not increase their load: by working out what they have that can readily be shared, and by working out what they need that could be received from others.
 
A diocese is nothing if not about recognising the comfort and joy of being in this together.  Our Parish Coordination Team has been founded for this very purpose, and it has never been so lean and fit and focused. Do contact them with your offerings and your longings – so they can do what they exist to do, and coordinate us all!
 
Finally, I want to repeat: we are in this together. Would you help foster our fellowship and camaraderie at this time? No need to manage this ultra-marathon alone. Please ask for help, and offer help. Grand to grand. Parish to Parish. Ultra!
 
+ Jo

1. Guidance changes – your questions answered – face mask and dealing with a local lock down
2. Action resources – how to report an outbreak 
3. Planning for Autumn Festivals
4. FAQ’s for parishes employing staff
5. Ordinations
6. Sunday Sermon
7. Tools, Training & Resources 

Face masks
Last week the Prime Minister announced that face masks are going to become mandatory from 8 August in places of worship. You can see here for guidance that has been drawn up by Church House. Please note that the Church of England intends to publish guidance on this by Thursday so we may need to adjust ours, but we wanted to get something out to you earlier in the week in order to help you prepare for this Sunday. The Church of England guidance will be uploaded here when it becomes available and we will also alert you to any differences via our facebook group, so do keep a look out.
 
 

In the event that there is a local lock-down, in the first instance we ask that you follow Government guidance and local government guidance. We appreciate that it is often unclear or unavailable but we ask that you initially respond locally based on what guidelines are available and the experiences you gained during the original national lock-down. Local parish decisions and actions will be affected by a number of factors specific to your community and the risks during that period.

As a Diocese we will provide, as soon as we are able, additional Church of England Guidance and supporting information. 

Local government, NHS and other organisations are working together to identify, be ready for and contain localised outbreaks by creating Local Outbreak Control Plans. Below are copies of the Local Outbreak Control Plans relevant to parishes across the diocese:

We’d advise familiarizing yourself with your local resilience forums and local Government plans

https://coronavirusresources.phe.gov.uk/reporting-an-outbreak/resources/small-and-large-gatherings-workplace-action-cards/ 
 

We will be sharing more about this in the weeks to come, but at this point we have two (not at all urgent) requests to make of you:
1. If you are planning anything for the autumn festivals that you would be willing to share with other parishes (ideas, videos, scripts etc) please do send them through to parishcoordination@cofeguildford.org.uk
2. If you are starting to plan ahead for Christmas you might want to consider using the Church of England theme and resources for this year of Comfort and Joy.

You can read more about it on the Church of England webpage here including why they have chosen the theme especially for the current circumstances. We hope that the more parishes that use this theme, the more resources will be available to share and lessen the burden of all our parishes.  Church House will also be sharing more ideas on this theme in the autumn.

Coming up …  our diocesan HR team are planning to run two short workshops (on Wednesday, 26 August and Thursday, 3 September) on managing our teams during these challenging times, including how we bring furlough leave to an end. The workshops will also provide an overview on the government’s ‘Good Work Plan 2020’ and guidance on a range of frequently asked questions. Registration details here

‘Soft Hearts and Hard Feet’ is the theme of Bishop Andrew’s sermon this week, focussing on the lectionary readings for the 9th Sunday after Trinity, especially the gospel passage, Matthew 14:22-33. 

• How has the Culture of our church changed during COVID? How have our Plans been challenged and what are the best next steps?
• How has our Leadership practice changed? What lessons have we learned about Leadership and Governance and how to Grow New Leaders?
• Have our Church family been ‘furloughed’ from their ministry during COVID? How do we help them re-engage?
• Has the COVID crisis shone a new light on the effectiveness of our approach to mission?  What new plans might we develop for the future?
• How have we been Making and Nurturing Disciples in lock-down? Are there new approaches to spiritual formation?

 
New Start Date & Extended Registration Deadline 
As a number of churches are planning to open their physical locations in September, the start of ChurchNEXT has been delayed to October.   The deadline for registration is now: Friday 11 September. 
 

The Energy Audit 2020 registration form is now live. You have until 30 September to apply for an energy audit, which will be carried out between 1 October 2020 and March 31, 2021.

Please note from the 28th July, we will only be issuing one update per week on a Tuesday at 4pm for August. We will re-evaluate in September.