This week a big announcement was made for the easing of lockdown. Many businessses will be allowed to open from the 4th July - hairdressers, restaurants, cinemas. Some still remain closed including indoor gyms and swimming pools. Most importantly it was confirmed that churches can reopen from next weekend for services. There are however, many restrictions in place and some details still need to be clarified.
Churches have to be social distanced. Sanitiser must be used on the way in and out. Cleaning must take place to reduce cross-infection. A few us went to the church yesterday and put up notices for a one-way system, cleaning, hand-washing and social distancing. We also have blocked off every other pew and measured out distancing taping on the floor. The church is now set up for zoom broadcasting of the preaching. Singing won't be allowed in the services to begin with due to government restrictions.
More mixing will be allowed to so two households can meet up indoors, whilst maintaining distancing.
There have been some very hot days this week with temperatures over 30 degrees. A lot of people went to the beach causing gridlock and massive overcrowding, particularly in Bournemouth.
I attended another online conference. This one had 20 000 people registered to attend. People have responded really positively to these online learning opportunities.
Hopefully today is the last Sunday of Zoom services at home. It's been nice to go and have lunch in my sisters garden the last couple of Sundays. Next week I might be able to venture indoors!
The Lord remains in complete control. We pray that many who have taken Bibles or been spiritually awakened during this period of lockdown will be moved to attend church as we start to gather face to face next week.
Sunday 28 June 2020
Sunday 21 June 2020
Coronavirus Reflections #14
The weather has been a lot more mixed this week with rain and thunder storms as well as sunshine. It's delayed some of my neighbours DIY projects in their gardens.
On Monday this week we had a meeting to plan for the Restoration of Worship at chapel. The government released some guidance last week so we are seeking to apply it in preparation for recommencing corporate worship. I'm sure I'll write more about this later.
It's been nice to have a week of spending time with my parents again. It's hard to remember that social distancing exists if I just stay between my home and my parents. You soon remember though if going to the supermarket or anywhere else.
I enjoyed a walk with my friend yesterday exploring the village of Adderbury. There are some beautiful villages with interesting history in this area of Oxfordshire.
I attended an all day virtual pain conference on Thursday. It was really good to be able to hear a lot of international experts without anyone needing to travel. This may be the future for conferences. There are loads of online learning opportunities at the moment, I've got another conference next week.
Last Sunday we had a preacher from Kent on the feeding of the 5000 and a Bible study on Barnabas. It was a prayer meeting on Tuesday.
The Covid risk number was reduced to 3 this week. Another step in the right direction. It's looking promising for a lot of the restrictions to be lifted in July. I was very encouraged to read this week that the Isle of Man has reached the stage of being able to stop all social distancing albeit no one can leave or enter the island. It became compulsory on Monday to wear face coverings on public transport and all staff and visitors in hospitals.
I was remembering this morning about a time when I was a child and the pastor preached from the same text morning and evening for about 16 weeks and I can't remember what the text is. I wonder if this whole experience will be like that - just a vague memory in the end. What I pray though is that we will not forget the lessons we have learned and will appreciate things more, particularly worshipping God and serving together as a church as well as the lessons for personal spiritual life.
On Monday this week we had a meeting to plan for the Restoration of Worship at chapel. The government released some guidance last week so we are seeking to apply it in preparation for recommencing corporate worship. I'm sure I'll write more about this later.
It's been nice to have a week of spending time with my parents again. It's hard to remember that social distancing exists if I just stay between my home and my parents. You soon remember though if going to the supermarket or anywhere else.
I enjoyed a walk with my friend yesterday exploring the village of Adderbury. There are some beautiful villages with interesting history in this area of Oxfordshire.
I attended an all day virtual pain conference on Thursday. It was really good to be able to hear a lot of international experts without anyone needing to travel. This may be the future for conferences. There are loads of online learning opportunities at the moment, I've got another conference next week.
Last Sunday we had a preacher from Kent on the feeding of the 5000 and a Bible study on Barnabas. It was a prayer meeting on Tuesday.
The Covid risk number was reduced to 3 this week. Another step in the right direction. It's looking promising for a lot of the restrictions to be lifted in July. I was very encouraged to read this week that the Isle of Man has reached the stage of being able to stop all social distancing albeit no one can leave or enter the island. It became compulsory on Monday to wear face coverings on public transport and all staff and visitors in hospitals.
I was remembering this morning about a time when I was a child and the pastor preached from the same text morning and evening for about 16 weeks and I can't remember what the text is. I wonder if this whole experience will be like that - just a vague memory in the end. What I pray though is that we will not forget the lessons we have learned and will appreciate things more, particularly worshipping God and serving together as a church as well as the lessons for personal spiritual life.
Sunday 14 June 2020
Coronavirus Reflections #13
This Sunday marks 1/4 of the year in lockdown, meeting on Zoom. We have been blessed to have preachers each week and during the week and the church has enjoyed being able to see one another. I wonder though what lessons we have learned individually and as a church. Will there be any difference when we meet together again.
This has been quite an eventful week. Yesterday churches were allowed to be opened again for private prayer. This week it was announced that single people could form a bubble with another person or family. This would mean that they could spend the night together and be closer than the 2m distancing. I formed a bubble yesterday with my parents. It was a great joy to have social contact without having to dance around one another maintaining our distance, to go into their home again and share a meal together.
It's also nice that we can mix in groups of up to 6 from mixed households in each others gardens.
There are still around 200 people dieing each day with the virus so all the other distancing rules are in place. Secondary schools will be opening for year 10 next week and non-essential shops. The barriers are gradually being lowered but it certainly is not a return to normal.
We held a church meeting on zoom this week also. The government has issued some guidance to help churches plan for when they can open - potentially in July. Distancing, hand hygiene and reducing potential for cross-infection are the key rulings to apply.
There is ongoing high levels of anxiety in society and the emotional impact of fear and social isolation. I have been seeing this more and more in pain presentations.
Last Sunday we had a visitor on Zoom who knew our preacher. He runs an orphanage in India so it was interesting to hear from him. In the afternoon we had a talk about George Muller and the amazing work that he was enabled to do in preaching and setting up orphanages.
It's strange really, that now we have been in lockdown for so long I had got into a good routine day to day. Moving on to another phase means getting used to a new routine and potentially there will be more and more changes as the weeks go on - returning to church and work. Getting used to social contact again and the freedom to go out and about yet keeping safe will be nice but challenging.
This has been quite an eventful week. Yesterday churches were allowed to be opened again for private prayer. This week it was announced that single people could form a bubble with another person or family. This would mean that they could spend the night together and be closer than the 2m distancing. I formed a bubble yesterday with my parents. It was a great joy to have social contact without having to dance around one another maintaining our distance, to go into their home again and share a meal together.
It's also nice that we can mix in groups of up to 6 from mixed households in each others gardens.
There are still around 200 people dieing each day with the virus so all the other distancing rules are in place. Secondary schools will be opening for year 10 next week and non-essential shops. The barriers are gradually being lowered but it certainly is not a return to normal.
We held a church meeting on zoom this week also. The government has issued some guidance to help churches plan for when they can open - potentially in July. Distancing, hand hygiene and reducing potential for cross-infection are the key rulings to apply.
There is ongoing high levels of anxiety in society and the emotional impact of fear and social isolation. I have been seeing this more and more in pain presentations.
Last Sunday we had a visitor on Zoom who knew our preacher. He runs an orphanage in India so it was interesting to hear from him. In the afternoon we had a talk about George Muller and the amazing work that he was enabled to do in preaching and setting up orphanages.
It's strange really, that now we have been in lockdown for so long I had got into a good routine day to day. Moving on to another phase means getting used to a new routine and potentially there will be more and more changes as the weeks go on - returning to church and work. Getting used to social contact again and the freedom to go out and about yet keeping safe will be nice but challenging.
Sunday 7 June 2020
Coronavirus Reflections #12
I've found this week more difficult again. I think it is mainly from the realisation that for 12 weeks noone has been closer to me than 2m. For someone whose job was based on touch this is tough. It emphasises to me how important physical touch is for our well-being.
Once again I'm feeling so thankful that God is in complete control. This is a light momentary affliction as we await the glorious prospect of eternity with God and without sin. I'm praying earnestly that God will be using these times for His glory - the revival and revitalisation of the church as individuals and a body, for the salvation of many souls - praying for many in my family and more widely. I'm praying that I and many others will come through this with a closer walk with God and a new perspective on life. I enjoyed thinking on this verse this week from my studies of 2 Corinthians:
"and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised." 2 Corinthians 5:15
The restrictions were lifted a little this week with children able to go back to school in reception, year 1 and year 6 but many schools have not gone back yet. We are now able to meet in groups of 6 in the garden. The weather has changed this week so it is much cooler and we had some heavy rain storms yesterday. The prime minister warned people not to retreat inside in their groups.
There have been many protests around the world over the racist murder of a black man in the USA. A terrible tragedy and important to speak up against but maybe using different means. These protests are breaking the lockdown rules and risk increasing the spread of the virus as well as some of them becoming violent.
Anxiety and distress seems to be ever more prevalent from my limited clinical sample. Clinics are busy and many are yearning for services to get back to normal. There are talks of us returning to face to face contact but a lot of changes need to be made. Risk assessments are being carried out in all areas.
This week it was announced that from the 15th June it will be compulsory to wear face masks on public transport and in hospital settings. The mind boggles as to whatever life is going to be like for the forseeable future.
We've finished the bible study on Galatians with church now. We have another preacher scheduled for the morning but will move on to a new series of afternoon studies - I think!
One more week and we will have spent a quarter of the year in lockdown... I'm sure I'll comment on that again next week.
Once again I'm feeling so thankful that God is in complete control. This is a light momentary affliction as we await the glorious prospect of eternity with God and without sin. I'm praying earnestly that God will be using these times for His glory - the revival and revitalisation of the church as individuals and a body, for the salvation of many souls - praying for many in my family and more widely. I'm praying that I and many others will come through this with a closer walk with God and a new perspective on life. I enjoyed thinking on this verse this week from my studies of 2 Corinthians:
"and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised." 2 Corinthians 5:15
The restrictions were lifted a little this week with children able to go back to school in reception, year 1 and year 6 but many schools have not gone back yet. We are now able to meet in groups of 6 in the garden. The weather has changed this week so it is much cooler and we had some heavy rain storms yesterday. The prime minister warned people not to retreat inside in their groups.
There have been many protests around the world over the racist murder of a black man in the USA. A terrible tragedy and important to speak up against but maybe using different means. These protests are breaking the lockdown rules and risk increasing the spread of the virus as well as some of them becoming violent.
Anxiety and distress seems to be ever more prevalent from my limited clinical sample. Clinics are busy and many are yearning for services to get back to normal. There are talks of us returning to face to face contact but a lot of changes need to be made. Risk assessments are being carried out in all areas.
This week it was announced that from the 15th June it will be compulsory to wear face masks on public transport and in hospital settings. The mind boggles as to whatever life is going to be like for the forseeable future.
We've finished the bible study on Galatians with church now. We have another preacher scheduled for the morning but will move on to a new series of afternoon studies - I think!
One more week and we will have spent a quarter of the year in lockdown... I'm sure I'll comment on that again next week.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)