Covid-19 Update

Baslow St Anne’s PCC has decided, in the light of the seriousness of the current stage of the pandemic, to review its position on opening the church. The law is unchanged and it permits the Church to be open, both during the day and for services. However the PCC felt it right to review our current position in the light of the seriousness of the current situation. The decisions we have reached are borne out of concern for the safety of those attending the building, and the risks that are associated with people gathering together.

We are concerned to offer spiritual support to those in need. But the risks are now much greater than previously and so, for the time being, the church will no longer be open during the day. Services, strictly controlled on numbers, social distancing etc will continue on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings, with online services for those who do not wish to or cannot attend in person. The gaps between the church being in use ensure we can open safely, maintain the cleaning required to make it safe to do so, and reduce the risk of the virus being present on surfaces. Funerals will take place, in line with the regulations, by arrangement with the Rector.

This decision will be reviewed and may change if the situation worsens. We hope, and pray, that you are all safe and well and we look forward to welcoming you all at St Anne’s once the virus is under control and the law permits us to do so.

The church is here for all. If you would like to get in touch the phone numbers to use are :

• the Rector - Mike Gilbert – 07947 092951

• Churchwarden – Irene Roscoe - 01246 582900 or mobile 07484 201989

Dear Church Family

Someone shared this verse with me this week and in this year of 2021 I want to share it with you because I think it is significant. In 2021 let’s read John 20:21. That should make it easier to remember 

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

As we continue in this latest lockdown, with all the stresses and strains it brings, it is wonderful to hear the words of Jesus as he breathes his peace upon his disciples. Please do receive those words for yourself. As a Christian, it is part of your birthright. That’s not to say we want get stressed or anxious but that through it all his peace will hold us all.

The Lord goes on, however, to send his followers out. There is a temptation to batten down the hatches but I believe that as a church we are still called to go because we have been sent. That might be going online or simply across our road to a neighbour but we are a sent people. I believe that 2021 has the potential to be a year of growth.

I have been so proud of St. Anne’s and how with the Christmas Tree Festival and the Tractor Carols we rose to the challenge at Christmas. I have had several people say to me in the last week or so how much they have appreciated not only what we have done but also the love and care that has been shown.

I wanted to let you know what was happening, as much as I can. It all might change but then we are getting used to that.

On Sunday Mornings there will be a service live-streamed from church at 9.45am for those who don’t feel able to come to church. Even if you don’t come physically but would like a prayer or hymn included in the service we could probably arrange that if you tell us.

Wednesday Evening Prayer at 7 will also continue for the time being.

If you know of anybody who needs anything do tell us, we would like to help.

God bless

Mike
 

Alpha online from Tuesday 12 January at 8.00pm

What is Alpha?

Exploring is good. We’re built for it! Alpha is a perfect opportunity to explore the meaning of life and ask questions about faith in a relaxed, fun and friendly environment. It’s an eleven week course that takes place online. Each session looks at a different question around the Christian faith and is designed to facilitate conversation around the subject. 
 

Who is it for?

People come on the Alpha course for many reasons. Some want to investigate whether God exists, others simply have questions about life they would like to discuss. Many guests have never been to church and others may have attended church but feel they have never had a personal understanding of the Christian faith. Ultimately anyone is welcome at Alpha, it doesn’t matter where you are starting from.

How does it work?

We would love to be doing Alpha in person, but we can’t do that right now, so we’ve taken our Alpha course online. Each week you can join in via Zoom, from the comfort of your own sofa! We’ll start every week with a chance to catch up/get to know one another, followed by a short talk/video and finally having an opportunity to discuss what we’ve heard. Why not try coming along for the first week? If you find at any point Alpha isn't for you, that’s fine! There’s no pressure, no follow up and no charge.

For further information and to sign up for the course, please contact the Eyam Church Office on 01433 630930 or email admin@eyamchurch.org

Dear Friends

Well, 2020 has gone. 

For many of us we will simply say good riddance. It has been a year of lockdowns, restrictions, bubbles hand sanitizers and masks. For most people their prayer for 2021 will simply be “not another one like that please”. 

What 2020 has taught us is that we can be certain about very few things. Many of our certainties have disappeared. This might be a good thing as we so often put our trust in things that have clay feet. 

At Christmas 1939 King George addressed our nation in its darkest hour. He quoted part of a poem:

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:

“Give me a light, that I may tread safely into the unknown!”

And he replied:

“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.

That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”

So, I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night. And He led me toward the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.

From the Desert 1908 by Minnie Louise Haskins 

As we face the possibility of a Covid-free but uncertain 2021 I can think of no better advice at the beginning of the year but to step out even if it is into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God.

Mike Gilbert, Rector

On Wednesday 25 November Irene Roscoe was officially appointed as Churchwarden by the Bishop of Derby, the Right Reverend Libby Lane. Irene writes:

I must say how pleased and very honoured I am to have been elected to this post. I am also extremely pleased that Sue Campbell will be assisting me in this role. I am confident that together we will be able to serve the Church and its community in the spirit to which you would all desire.

Here is a little history of this ancient office. A Churchwarden is a lay official in a parish of the Anglican Communion, usually working as a part-time volunteer. The primary duty of Churchwardens is to represent the laity and to co-operate with the Incumbent. Their main role is to lead the parishioners by setting a good example and encouraging unity and peace. Churchwardens and assistants are elected by other members of the laity. The office of Churchwarden dates from the 13th century and is one of the earliest forms of recognised ministry.

If I can be assistance to anyone, either within or visiting our parish, I am available on 01246 582900 or mobile 07484 201989 and would be pleased to hear from you.

Irene Roscoe	Sue Campbell

Church Choir

During the current lock down, the Church Choir will be practicing on the Church Facebook page, at 6.00pm each Tuesday

Bel Canto will be practicing on the Bel Canto Facebook page, at 6.00pm each Wednesday

New choir members are always welcome, so if interested, please telephone Claire on 07515 287222. 

Church Library

Our library facility is temporarily closed to minimise the risk of Covid-19 transmission. 

Parish Safeguarding 

The Church of England is called to share the good news of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ. The life of our communities and institutions is integral to how we address this task. The good news speaks of welcome for all, with a particular regard for those who are most vulnerable, into a community where the value and dignity of every human being is affirmed and those in positions of responsibility and authority are truly trustworthy. Being faithful to our call to share the gospel therefore compels us to take with the utmost seriousness the challenge of preventing abuse from happening and responding well where it has.’  HANDBOOK

PCR2

Protocols and practice guidance for the Church of England’s Past Cases Review 2, (PCR2) have been published and are on the National Church of England Website. 

Individual survivors who wish to make representations to the PCR2 process in the Derby Diocese or who need to come forward with information or make any disclosures regarding church related abuse are encouraged to make direct contact with the Safeguarding Team 01332 388678. 

However, recognising that this may not feel safe for those with experience of abuse from within the church, a dedicated national helpline - 0800 80 20 20 - operated independently from the church, by the NSPCC, was set up in September 2019 and remains available.

Survivors were not invited to contribute to the 2007-2009 PCR and the Church has wanted to ensure a different, trauma informed approach is taken by PCR2. Listening to survivor voices has helped to shape how this review will be conducted. 

We are now at the beginning of the PCR2 process, this is an independent review to look at all the safeguarding files, historic and current for both adults and children, including all Church officers. The review aims to ensure that wherever concerns have been raised that the cases have been handled appropriately.

The National Church has given a commitment to undertake a new Past Cases Review (PCR2) which will not only look at all types of harm, both to children and or adults, but will probe much deeper in records or concerns held in parishes, some of which may not have been reported to the DSA. Your vicar (or church warden if in Interregnum) will now have received a letter from +Libby outlining what is required to enable this significant piece of work to be completed. We need to submit the final report to the National Safeguarding team by the end of December 2020. We will be in touch directly with PSOs’ to give the detail of the next step, but it may be helpful if you identify where any parish records are held so that there is less work to do when we ask you for the details. The timescale for responding to PCR2 in the Diocese of Derby is by 31st March 2020.

Safeguarding Concerns

If you have any concerns over any safeguarding matter, please contact the Parish Safeguarding Officer, Richard Nicholson on 01246 583023 or Member of the Clergy, Revd Mike Gilbert on 07947092951 or the Diocesan Safeguarding Team on 01332 388678.