The Reverend Graeme Holdsworth
Vicar of Marsden and Slaithwaite
6th February 2021
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Grace, mercy, and peace from our Lord Jesus Christ, be with you and rest upon you now and always. You are in my prayers every day.
It is with sadness that we have decided to suspend gathering in St James’ and St Bartholomew’s Churches until a review of the coronavirus situation on the 15th February. Our society has sacrificed so much to protect the elderly and the vulnerable, and in order to honour their sacrifices we cannot, in good conscience, continue to gather in the church buildings and put ourselves at risk.
However, we are in a much better place than last year, we can open the buildings for private prayers and we started Home Church two months ago:
Private Prayer:
• St James’, Slaithwaite: Wednesdays from 9:30am to 11:30am
• St Bartholomew’s, Marsden: Thursdays from 9:30am to 11:30am.
Home Church:
• Online and on telephone: Sundays at 10:50am
Everyone from our community is welcome to come and find solace in the sacred and beautiful buildings we are blessed with. Please let others know. We will wipe down the surfaces where necessary to keep you as safe as possible.
Home Church is a place where we can meet online or via the telephone and sing hymns, hear the sermon and celebrate Holy Communion together. Ali Baxter and Carol Holdsworth, together with a dedicated group, have been developing Home Church and it has become a wonderful place to meet.
Please, if you know anyone who needs to speak to me, don’t hesitate to pass on my email address or telephone number to them – details here
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.
Graeme