St Luke’s Church, Holmes Chapel

Suspension of Public Worship and Emergency Pastoral Provision (updated 2 May 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.
• We are regularly using Zoom internet meetings for short daily Morning Prayer meetings each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 9am and a Prayer meeting on Thursdays at 9.30am.

Note: Joining details for our Zoom meetings have been emailed to most of our parishioners but if you don’t have these and are local to Holmes Chapel, please contact secy@stlukesholmeschapel.uk ]

• Daily Bible readings for each week and links to other devotional materials are posted on our website and Facebook page.
• Updates and notices will continue to be available through our website and Facebook page.
• An interim version of the Parish Magazine is available through the website as printed copies are no longer available – link here.
• We are actively supporting  village initiatives to help those affected during the emergency whilst complying with government movement and social distancing restrictions.

This is a continuing challenge for us all but helps 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).

 Canon Rob McLaren – Vicar (tel. 01477 668695 or 07591 730255, email: vicar@stlukesholmeschapel.uk )

Alastair Cragg, Jayne Weaver – Churchwardens (email:  warden@stlukesholmeschapel.uk )