Life November 2020 fv2

All for one and one for all!
Shouted the Three Musketeers in 17 th Century
France.
But it’s just as relevant a cry for the Christian
community as we battle this pandemic.
Unity is essential at times of pressure and stress
such as these. But that can be a hard thing to
maintain when there are different approaches to
risk and varying factors in play across the UK.
I did my first Covid Wedding at Woodbury Avenue
the other Saturday under the latest restriction
of 15 attendees. Two weeks before that, thirty
people would have been allowed.
It’s seem a life time ago that we could actually
sing in a Church building without having to wear
a mask!
Church life has been played out against this
frustrating backdrop of not being able to get
together in the numbers or ways we would want.
We continue to limit our own freedoms to protect
the health and safety of others, while at the same
time allowing people personal judgement and
liberty on how to live with the virus.
The national, political picture has similar
tensions. We are being encouraged to make
sacrifices for others, to strike the balance
between life and livelihood, mental well - being,
physical safety and the economy.
None of this is easy to navigate.
But as disciples of Jesus and part of the Church,
we are uniquely called to love and unity. So as the
winter approaches and all our plans, including
Christmas, are laid in a very open hand before the
Lord; remember, it’s all for one and one for all.
Peter Baker | Senior Minister