News

Clergy Vaccinations

As the vaccination programme continues to roll out, we have been asked if clergy qualify as ‘front-line social care workers’ and therefore as a higher priority within the programme. Whilst some clergy roles call for visiting the sick and dying with a covid diagnosis (chaplains working in our hospitals on covid wards for example) most of our clergy and church leaders work is either from home or leading live-streaming/in person worship (including funerals) in covid secure churches and venues. Clergy should not be routinely be visiting covid-positive patients in their homes as pastoral care in these cases is more appropriately done via phone, zoom or with a card. Clergy working in this manner would not fit the description of ‘front-line social care workers’ as we understand it.
 
Some clergy are operating foodbanks/meal delivery services (with more happening during the school holidays we expect) but again this should be done in a covid secure manner and not require the workers to have been vaccinated. Clergy who are at higher risk due to age or other clinical vulnerability should continue to work appropriately and respond to any vaccine invitation as requested by the NHS when they are ready for you.
 
We are actively monitoring the guidance in this area and will advise you should anything change.

Daily Hope free phone line 

For almost a year, the Daily Hope free telephone phone line, launched by the Church of England, Faith in Later Life and Connections @ Holy Trinity Church in Claygate, has been reaching out and helping to support older people, providing them with hope and comfort. 

In addition to the Hymns, reflections and prayers, more options are being added to help in this time of great need. The line also offers ‘Chair Exercises on the Phone’ which are vital, but gentle exercises, to help with circulation and fitness for this most isolated section of our community.

New for February,  ‘Sleep well with the Daily Hope’.  So many people of all ages, but especially the elderly, are struggling to sleep at this worrying and unsettling time – sleep researchers are now calling this ‘Covid-somnia!’  To help with this, Daily Hope has launched a series of gentle and relaxing reflections written by our own Pippa Crama, using wonderful Bible verses for callers to listen to on the phone whilst they’re in bed.

So many (over 2.5 million) elderly ones are not connected to the internet so are not able to access any online support. Please do share the news of this line far and wide within your communities. 
 

Our ministry to the bereaved through the challenges of Covid-19 continues to be an important way in which we serve our communities at such a difficult time. The Diocese has been represented on Surrey’s Local Resilience Forum which has sought to balance the needs of the bereaved with the safety of mourners and staff, as well as ensuring that the law is obeyed. The Forum is aware that, from time to time, there have been situations where the maximum number of people currently permitted at a funeral has been exceeded, and this has been challenging to manage for clergy, funeral directors and the staff at burial grounds and crematoria. Please find a letter from the Surrey Resilience Forum which seeks to address this issue here. The key message for clergy and officiants in this situation is to work in partnership with the Funeral Director and venue staff to ensure that the service does not go ahead until the current regulations are complied with.

Ash Wednesday 17th February 
You are invited to join us online livestreamed from the Cathedral for Ash Wednesday at our 9.30am  Eucharist  or, with the musicians, a Choral Eucharist at 5.30pm. Services are available here

For many of us, the mark of the cross on our foreheads is a powerful reminder of our need of the grace of God, and our deep gratitude for all that Jesus accomplished through is life, suffering, death and resurrection.

This mark is traditionally made in ash – ashes made from the Palm crosses we brought into our homes last year on Palm Sunday.

During both services, all those who are participating at home will be invited to mark themselves, or family members mark each other, with the sign of the cross in ash. You can make your own ashes from your palm crosses in preparation. The ash from one palm cross is all you need. Instructions for preparing the ash can be found on the internet. 

Please find a helpful service guide shared with us by the Mothers Union in advance of Mothering Sunday preparations. 
 

Sunday Sermon

Preaching on the transfiguration (Mark 9:2-9 with passing reference also to 2 Cor 4:3-6), Bishop Jo’s sermon explores how the glimpse of ‘God’s glory upstairs’ might transfigure our perspective and our prayers in the midst of pandemic.

Leading into the Future: Leading through the Recovery Phase 

Fatigued’ and ‘hopeful’ were the two words leaders used to describe how they were feeling in our survey last month. The combination of the multiple deprivations of the last 10 months, and the hoped for changes during 2021, mean many people are at a low ebb, but also that there is a longing to move on. 

In this webinar, James Lawrence, CPAS Leadership Principal, will explore how we can lead ourselves and others through this time, including the launch of some new resources for your congregations and community.
 

The Lent Parish Brief will be issued on Wednesday 17th at 4pm to coincide with Ash Wednesday followed by a regular slot on a Monday.