Noticeboard
Important notices and informationNotices
St Luke’s Church, Holmes Chapel
Suspension of Public Worship and Emergency Pastoral Provision (updated 28 Mar 20)
Following the Government’s announcement of no social gatherings, and the confirmation in Parliament that this includes all faith groups including churches, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York reinforced this by writing on 17th March to all Church of England clergy suspending public worship until further notice. See Press Release.
The Prime Minister has announced further restrictions to tackle the spread of coronavirus COVID-19 including the immediate closure of places of worship.
As a result, and until further notice:
- St Luke’s Church is now closed.
- All services at St Luke’s, including all Sunday services and baptisms, Wednesday services and discipleship groups, are suspended.
- Small funerals at the graveside and the crematorium are now all that is permitted.
- The Church Hall is now closed for all meetings and any hiring.
In their letter the Archbishops have written:
“Being a part of the Church of England is going to look very different in the days ahead.
“Our life is going to be less characterised by attendance at church on Sunday, and more characterised by the prayer and service we offer each day.
“We may not be able to pray with people in the ways that we are used to, but we can certainly pray for people. And we can certainly offer practical care and support.
St Luke’s will be doing its best to keep in touch through its website, Facebook page, messaging and by phone, focusing especially on those in our community who may be self-isolating, and by offering help with shopping and errands.
- A shortened form of Morning Prayer is available on St Luke’s website so that all can share a service in their homes at 8.30 and 10am on Sundays, and 10.30am on Wednesdays. In this way we can be together in spirit and pray as one at our usual times.
- Daily Bible readings for each week and links to other devotional materials will be posted on our website and Facebook page.
- The weekly Link newssheet will continue to be available through the website.
- We are developing an interim version of the Parish Magazine available through the website as printed copies become unavailable.
- We will actively support village initiatives to help those affected during the emergency whilst complying with government movement and social distancing restrictions.
This is a challenge but it will help us remember that the church is the people of God, not a building or a particular meeting. We encourage you to keep trusting the Lord, spending time in the Bible (through which our soul is refreshed) and in prayer (presenting our requests to the heavenly Father who cares for us like a good shepherd).
Rob McLaren – Vicar (tel. 01477 668695 or 07591 730255)
Alastair Cragg, Jayne Weaver – Churchwardens
Safeguarding: Past Cases Review 2 (PCR2)
In 2007, the Church of England commissioned a national Past Case Review which sought to look at the handling by the Church of child protection case over many years. All parishes nationally are required to respond by checking records and reporting to the review all known cases of concern about the behaviour of clergy and church officers towards children and vulnerable adults.
Revision of Church Electoral Roll
Because of the COVID-19 restrictions, our annual Church meetings need to be delayed until later this year. However, the required annual revision of the Church Electoral Roll by the Parochial Church Council will still begin as already notified from Sunday 22nd March but the revision period will be extended until at least 15 days from the new date (still to be decided and notified) of the delayed annual Church meetings.
Revised Churchyard Rules 2007
A copy of the revised Churchyard Rules 2007 applying to St Luke’s Knutsford Road Churchyard and now adopted by the Church Council in January 2019 can be downloaded here.
Website Changes
The Church website is now published in new more secure software. The process is continuing but we now provide basic information about services and who to contact.
During the necessary public health restrictions during the COVID-19 emergency, we are developing an online version of our monthly Parish Magazine linked to this website – more information about this soon!
Coming events
Parish Weekend Cancellation 25-27 Sep 2020
Our church weekend away planned for 25-27th Sep at Willersley Castle, Matlock Bath is cancelled, which is very disappointing to me and those who booked for a late September spiritual treat.
It would be timely to say we have cancelled because of the coronavirus but that is not true. Despite booking an excellent speaker and a lovely place and pushing it for ten weeks, we had only 26 people return their booking forms.
Pete Shackleton, the wardens and myself are keen to know why the take-up was so weak. Please fill in a questionnaire after Easter to help us see if it is worth planning anything similar in the future.
Your vicar, Rob McLaren
Lent Friday Lunches
Lent Lunches and Friday Recitals are now cancelled due to coronavirus precautions. It is hoped to reschedule the Friday Recitals in the Autumn.
St Luke's Music Festival
Scheduled for Weekend of 25th and 26th April
May be postponed because of the coronavirus restrictions
More information here soon.
Workshop – postponed
Sight-loss friendly church workshop - postponed Unfortunately this Workshop, scheduled for Sat 28th March at NewLife community church in Crewe, is now POSTPONED until the autumn in the light of Government guidance responding to the coronavirus emergency. The new date...
Can you help?
Update: 27 Mar 2020
THANK YOU for your very generous past donations of food, clothing and money to this vital charity, supporting the homeless on the streets of Manchester.
St Luke’s Church and Church Hall is now closed for all purposes during the Government restrictions to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. As a result local donation and collection of non-perishable food, clothes, shoes etc is not possible.
However you can still support BARNABUS directly now with a monetary donation during this time of great need.
DONATIONS: GIVE £5 a month (or more) or a one-off donation and make a real impact so that together we can change lives!
Visit www.barnabus-manchester.org.uk and click donate now.
Other information
Parish Magazines
Update:26 Mar 2020
Printing of our monthly Parish Magazine is suspended during the Government restrictions to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Those subscribing to the Magazine should have already received their print copy of the April issue.
We are developing an online version of the Magazine tied to our website to be delivered shortly. This will include content from the April issue.
Our regular Church Groups are suspended during the coronavirus emergency
Mothers’ Union
Evening Group – Tues @ 7:45 pm
Afternoon group Weds @ 2:00 pm
in the church hall
Meets twice monthly in the Church Hall – see Diary for details. Contact Carole (HC 533882) or Dorothy (HC 533704) for information about joining or just come along to a meeting!
House Group
Mondays @ 7:45 pm
Meets twice monthly – see Diary for details and venue. Contact Tim (07773 756336) for more information.
GENESIS Sunday School
Each Sunday (except 3rd – see Diary)
@ 10:00 am in the Church Hall
Contact Fiona (HC 537796) for details or just come along on a Sunday morning.
Bells
FridayS @ 7:30 pm
Practises most Friday evenings – contact Mervyn (HC 537187) for more information.
Daytime Group
Thursday @ 9:30 am in Church
Led by Rob every Thursday. Including discussion, study, prayer and spiritual encouragement. All welcome.
St Luke’s Community Choir
Wednesdays @ 8:00 pm
in the church hall
Meets most Wednesday evenings – contact Wendy (HC 533718) for details or just come along to a meeting!