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News from the Three Valleys Team
Letter from Reverend Anne (Rt’d)
As you know, due to the lockdown we are unable to hold regular services in our church buildings. However, we do have a lively online presence. Sunday and midweek services are being broadcast on both Facebook and Zoom and we have a blog hosted by George Moody, plus a regular morning ‘Thought for the Day’. We are investigating to see how we might best put material on to Youtube as well. Details of what is going on may be found on the Three Valleys Team Facebook page or on our website www.threevalleysteam. org Please do join us. Your thoughts and comments would be most welcome. As things stand at the moment, I think it likely that churches will be permitted a limited re-opening in early July. When the lockdown restrictions are eased and we can re-enter our church buildings, the team expects to have a graduated restart. For the first month after we are allowed back into church we intend to hold three services per Sunday, one service in each of the Three Valley groups (Wriggle Valley, Gifle Valley and Vale of the White Hart). We will also continue broadcasting a weekly service via the internet. It seems likely that initially, distancing rules will have to be observed in church and that hymn singing will not be allowed as the deep breathing needed to sing is believed to increase the risk. Details of where the services are to be held will be published in the weekly electronic pewsheet, on our Facebook page and our website nearer the time. I will try to keep you posted as best I can as things develop. Tony Gilbert Rector Three Valleys Benefice Rural Dean of Sherborne
Driving home from a Sussex family funeral in March, I had little idea that I would soon be under house arrest for several weeks! (I am 75, and have a variety of underlying health issues.) Except for being unable to meet family members in person, it has been quiet and restful time. We managed to purchase compost, seeds and young plants. So the greenhouse was spring cleaned and put to work. Kind neighbours shopped for us. We walked footpaths for exercise. Most of the inhabitants of our small close of bungalows came out on Thursdays to clap for the N.H.S. Then, and at other times, we have listened, supported, and helped each other more than ever before – at a proper distance. Two lads baked cakes for the close each Friday. We learned new computer skills; and the sun shone. Body and mind were well tended. However, I have missed church; especially Holy Communion with friends and neighbours. Quickly though, the amazing skills of the Three Valleys Team came to the fore! They have produced a wealth of varied services on line; Sunday mornings; and Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings. The thought for the day from the Rector each morning is fun. My colleague, George Moody, has given us a daily prophetic commentary on our times, based on the Book of Joel, an Old Testament prophet. Is George a modern day prophet? Therefore, fulfilled in body, mind and spirit, I can sit in my pleasant garden, with time to pray for the sick, dying and bereaved; health care personnel,
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