The Jones household suffered a reminder this week that Covid is not the only viral illness! As people mingle more, and take fewer precautions, the normal sharing of coughs and colds will resume, and against a backdrop of reduced immunity due to a year and a half of anti-Covid precautions.

Download the Weekly Sheet Here

Twenty years ago this weekend the world changed. Many, perhaps most, readers of this column will remember exactly where they were and what they were doing when they first became aware of the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington DC on 11^th September 2001. Doubtless we will all be sharing some of those memories in our conversations this weekend.

For me, however, the memory that has stuck even harder is that of flying into Charleston, South Carolina the following January. As the aeroplane – or is it an airplane when it’s over US soil? – began its descent and the ground became visible through the cabin windows, an impromptu chorus of ‘America the Beautiful’ began.

Last week I wrote a little about the way the future is beginning to take shape. I want to share a little bit more on that subject today, and in particular on how the wider context of our Diocese and Deanery need to be taken into account.

Download the Weekly Sheet Here

In our church life, as Covid precautions are gradually wound down, this raises many questions. What will be our pattern of worship? Will we be able to offer refreshments? Will our various groups and committees be able to resume their activities?

I expect that most people attending church this weekend will have one question towards the front of their minds. ‘Is this the last Sunday when we have to put up with all these restrictions?’