March Magazine

Please see below an update on church services for March 2022

(As at 25th February 2022)

The government has now published its Guidance on Living with COVID-19. (See www.gov.uk)

Guidance for staff and students in most educational establishments and childcare settings to undertake twice weekly asymptomatic testing was removed on 21st February.

Since Thursday 24th February people in England who test positive are no longer legally required to self-isolate following a positive test.

All remaining restrictions have been replaced by the government’s “Living with COVID-19” plan.

Adults and children who have the virus are advised to self-isolate but this is not a legal requirement.

Vaccinated contacts of people who have tested positive are no longer asked to do daily lateral flow tests for seven days.

Contact tracing has ended.

People are continuing to be advised that there are safer behaviours they can adopt to reduce the risk of infection.  Precautions remain particularly important to those who are at higher risk if they catch COVID-19, although due to advances in vaccination and therapeutics, this group is now better protected.  The majority of people previously considered clinically extremely vulnerable are now advised to follow the same general guidance as everyone else as a result of the protection they have received from vaccination.

Safer behaviours include getting vaccinated; letting fresh air in, if meeting indoors, or meeting outside; wearing a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces when rates of transmission are high; trying to stay at home if you are unwell; taking a test if you have COVID-19 symptoms; staying at home and avoiding contact with other people if you test positive and washing your hands and following advice to “Catch it. Bin it. Kill it.”

There is a lot more detail in the guidance but these are the main points.

Please Note

Visiting clergy and service leaders may ask the congregation to follow particular guidance.

Their requests should be respected so they can feel comfortable as they lead us in worship.

Ansley Parish Services in March

2nd March

Ash Wednesday

St Wilfrid’s   7.00 p.m. Joint Benefice

Holy Communion

Friday 4th March

World Day of Prayer

St John’s 10.30 a.m. Special Service

Joint Benefice

6th March

1st of Lent

St John’s 10.30 a.m. Morning Worship

 

13th March

2nd of Lent

St Laurence’s 10.30 a.m. Morning Worship

 

20th March

3rd of Lent

St John’s 10.30 a.m. Morning Worship
27th March

4th of Lent

St Laurence’s 10.30 a.m. Mothering Sunday

Service

From the Registers

The funeral of Edward James Shirley, who died at the age of 36, was held at St Laurence Church on 28th January.  Edward was the eldest beloved son of Beverley and Richard and brother of Michael, James and Andrew.  They, along with other family members and friends mourn Edward’s passing.

On 10th March, the funeral of Alan Reynolds took place at the Heart of England Crematorium.  Aged 81, he was born and grew up in Arley, then moved to Ansley when he married.  He lived in Ansley for 53 years with his wife Chris.  He was a keen cricketer and was a coach driver for many years, a job that he enjoyed.  He and Chris spent many happy times at their caravan.  He used to come with Chris when she arranged a display for the Flower Festival.  He would make drinks for everyone.  He also cleaned the Annexe windows for the Flower Festival from when it was built.  He will always be remembered.

We would like to express our sincere condolences to Edward’s and Alan’s families and friends.

Lent

Our Ash Wednesday Joint Benefice service this year will be at St Wilfrid’s at 7.00 p.m. on 2nd March.  Foreheads will be marked with the traditional sign of the cross in ash for those who wish to receive it.

Although we are not holding small group meetings this Lent, a booklet, entitled “Living Generously”, produced by Coventry Diocese, is available for personal use.

A plate will be set out during Lent for donations to the charity Water Aid.

World Day of Prayer

A special service will be held at St John’s on Friday 4th March at 10.30 a.m. to remember the church throughout the world.  This year’s service has been prepared by representatives of the churches  in England and Wales.  There will be light refreshments after the service.

Mothering Sunday

A special service will be held at St Laurence Church on Sunday 27th March, with the distribution of posies as a sign that each member of the congregation is part of the church family.  The car park gates will be open on the Sunday and also on Saturday 26th March.

We hope the gates will be open more often as the warmer days arrive.

Holy Week and Easter 2022

Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, at 7.00 p.m., Holy Communion and Supper will be held at St John’s.

Good Friday, St Laurence Church will be open from 11.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. for private prayer.

Saturday, the church will be decorated from 9.00 a. m. onwards.  Flowers and help will be much appreciated.

Easter Day, 10.30 a.m. Holy Communion at St Laurence Church.

Evensong at 6.30 p.m.

Interregnum

The Diocese of Coventry has recommended, after consultation with the Churchwardens of Ansley, Arley, Corley and Fillongley, that these parishes should advertise for one full time incumbent.  The Benefice of Ansley and Arley will be half time as will the Benefice of Corley and Fillongley.  Each PCC has appointed one representative to join the short listing and interview panels.  In Ansley’s case this is Mrs Margaret Oliver.  We pray for all involved in the process and that the right candidate may be found for this post.

Memorial Service

Personal invitations had been sent out to all who had lost loved ones over the past two years.  Many who came found comfort and expressed their appreciation for the service, which was led by Lay Reader Dee Badland, a member of the Diocesan Bereavement Team.  She also spoke to individuals after the service.

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

This will be celebrated locally and nationally from Thursday 2nd June to Sunday 5th June.

There will be a history exhibition at St Laurence Church.  Ansley Parish Council plan to hold a Sunday lunch on the recreation ground and Ansley Common will hold a social event.  One or two street parties are also being planned.

Churchyard

The PCC has arranged the pruning of a tree that is encroaching on our neighbour’s property.

The church memorial stones have been checked.  Letters have been placed on graves where there is movement between the stone and the base.  These could do with some attention as the problem will get worse over time

There has been an annual spring clean of the church yard, ready for grass cutting.  A few items have been removed and are available for collection from church.  The Churchyard Policy has details of what is appropriate for display on graves.  The PCC appreciates the care taken to keep the area tidy and attractive to visitors.

Finance

Members of the PCC are very grateful for the gift of £109.76 in memory of Doreen Morewood.

PCC

The Annual Parochial Church Meeting will be held on 28th April.  If you would like to be on the electoral roll please ask the churchwarden for a form.  If you have already been placed on the roll you do not need to fill in a new form.  You can apply to be on the roll at any time of the year but a reminder is usually given in the weeks before the annual meeting.  Forms will be circulated before the meeting to nominate PCC members.

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Prayer Requests

If you would like someone or a particular situation remembered in prayer during this time of disruption, please make contact by email or phone one of the following.

Margaret Antill          018 2787 4520             Margaret Oliver         014 5582 2822