The Parishes of Tavistock, Gulworthy and Brent Tor

The Vicarage, 5a Plymouth Road, Tavistock, Devon PL19 8AU Tel: 01822 617432 Email: veryrevdchristopher.hardwick@btinternet.com

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I write this as our parishes enter Passiontide. I hope and pray that everyone continues to be safe and well.

With regard to our services, these have continued during the third lockdown. At the time of writing, further guidance on singing is awaited from the Government, but sadly, it seems unlikely that the prohibition on congregational singing indoors will be lifted before Easter. I remain grateful, and express my thanks here, to our Director of Music in Tavistock and to all musicians across the Benefice who have been able to provide music for our services as the regulations have allowed since the third lock-down began. As a Benefice, we continue to review our COVID 19 protocols in accordance Government guidelines to ensure that everything we do is as COVID-safe as possible.  Where possible, services are recorded and streamed and can be followed on our Facebook pages and websites. For those without internet access the Church of England’s free national phone line continues to offer music, prayers and reflections, as well as full worship services, each day. The phone line, which is available 24 hours a day, is: 0800 804 8044.

For the time being, the opening hours for worship and private prayer remain:

St.Eustachius’, Tavistock

Sunday, 9.45 am Eucharist, and open for private prayer until 1 pm
Wednesday, 10.30 am Eucharist, and open for private prayer until 1 pm

St.Paul’s, Gulworthy

Sunday, 11.15 am Eucharist
Wednesday, 9 am until 3 pm open for private prayer

Christ Church, Brentor,

Sunday, 9.45 am service, and open daily for private prayer

St.Michael’s, Brent Tor

Open daily for private prayer

23 March: National Day of Reflection 

Next Tuesday will mark the anniversary of the first national lockdown. For many people it will be a significant anniversary. In Devon the death toll has topped the 1,000 mark. The restrictions that we have been living under have meant that many people have had to grieve without the comfort of friends and family around them. The Church of England, in partnership with Marie Curie, Hope UK, Care for the Family and other charities, have organised a National Day of Reflection to acknowledge grief and loss during the pandemic.

All our churches will be open on Tuesday 23^rd for private prayer and reflection and at 12 noon a minute’s silence will be kept in remembrance of those who have died and the many who are mourning. For those unable to be present, Bishop Robert will be leading an act of reflection from the Cathedral beginning at 11.45 which will be broadcast live on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/CofEDevon/live_videos/?ref=page_internal

The following prayer has been written to mark the anniversary:

Gracious God,
as we remember before you
the thousands who have died,
surround us and all who mourn
with your strong compassion.
Be gentle with us in our grief,
protect us from despair,
and give us grace to persevere
and face the future with hope
in Jesus Christ our risen Lord. Amen

Passiontide, Holy Week and Easter

The Church of England has produced resources for use at home during Passiontide, Holy Week and Easter. These include a series of meditations by Paula Gooder on the Stations of the Cross, and ideas for observing Good Friday, and making an Easter Garden with children. The link is:

https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-churches/passiontide-holy-week-and-easter-2021

The following services will be held in our churches:

Palm Sunday Services:
9.45 am Tavistock
9.45 am Christ Church, Brentor
11.15 am Gulworthy

Maundy Thursday,
7.00 pm Gulworthy Eucharist
7.30 pm Tavistock (St. George’s Aisle) Eucharist followed by The Watch until 9 pm

Good Friday, 2.00 pm Tavistock (Nave) & Gulworthy
Reflections, Music & Prayers

Easter Day Services:
9.45 am Tavistock
9.45 am Christ Church, Brentor
11.15 am Gulworthy
6.00 pm St. Michael’s, Brent Tor

I will also broadcast a Service of Holy Communion according to the Book of Common Prayer on Easter Day at 8.00 am. This will be available on Facebook and our websites.

Brent Tor Tableaux

From Palm Sunday to Easter Day a series of tableaux will be placed on the Tor and in the churches at St. Michael’s and Christ Church as a visual telling of the story of Holy Week and Easter. There will be multimedia links available giving further information about the events depicted. Further details are available on the church website.

Tavistock Easter Trail

From the 28^th March until the 14^th April follow an Easter trail to discover some of the churches around Tavistock and learn about Easter through craft activities, Gospel readings and prayer. Further information on Facebook @TavistockEasterTrail

A Message from Bishop Robert

As we come out of lockdown and return to our church buildings this Easter, we need to renew our confidence in the God who calls us into life. Our primary calling is to be more Christ-centred for the sake of God’s world. Looking back on the past year, there are lessons to be learned. Looking forward, there are opportunities to be grasped. Our worship and mission will not be the same; indeed, they should not be the same. We need to embrace a mixed ecology of how we do church, capitalising on the new contacts we have made during the pandemic and better tailored to those among whom we live and minister. 

Change comes not in response to informed pessimism or uninformed optimism, but in response to hopeful realism. And hope is born when we see the world through the lens of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is God’s world and we are God’s pilgrim people, and God invites us to be communities of grace that speak the hope of good news. Bishop Nick, Bishop Jackie and my colleagues on the senior staff join me in assuring you of our prayers for Holy Week and Easter. May our crucified and risen Lord renew us all with his grace.
With my thanks for our partnership in the Gospel, 
+ Robert Exon

Please continue to share and cascade the information contained in this letter to anyone you know who has little or no access to email, or to our social media sites as best you can. It remains vitally important to keep everyone informed of, and involved in, our ongoing Church life across the Benefice as we prepare to celebrate Easter together. Thank you.
With God’s blessing

Christopher Hardwick

Passiontide 2021

The Parishes of Tavistock, Gulworthy and Brent Tor

The Vicarage, 5a Plymouth Road, Tavistock, Devon PL19 8AU
vicar@tavistockparishchurch.org.uk

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As promised in my recent letter, I write to share the news of our Benefice Lent Course for 2021.

With our parishes and the country still in lockdown a ZOOM Lent Course is planned. The Ministry Team has chosen the book “A Cross in the Heart of God” – “Reflections on the death of Jesus” by Samuel Wells as a book we can read and study together. The plan is to hold seven ZOOM meetings on a Thursday evening, starting at 7 pm, each one led by a member of the Ministry Team. The dates are:

18th Feb
25th Feb
4th Mar
11th March
18th March
25th March
1st April (Maundy Thursday)

Very helpfully the book sets out a weekly study guide for each chapter being followed with questions etc.

If you would like to join this Lent Course, please email me at vicar@tavistockparishchurch.org.uk and I will ensure you receive a ZOOM link to join the meeting on the 18th February when the first chapter of the book will be discussed. The book can be easily obtained from booksellers (published by Canterbury Press ISBN 978-1-78622-293-0).

…..

Let’s Talk Loneliness webinar

Via Archdeacon Nick Shutt, Chris and Hannah from Transforming Plymouth Together, have asked that I forward details to you of a Let’s Talk Loneliness webinar – link below to book – which they are hosting with Linking Lives to talk about the ‘Two’s Company’ scheme of partnering people with those who are isolated or lonely.

Let’s Talk Loneliness – Devon (Plymouth) Tickets, Wed 24 Feb 2021 at 10:00 | Eventbrite

….

A request for help

A request for help from Mary (Churchwarden) at Tavistock. We are looking at the best way of delivering a Palm Cross to members of our congregation this year. If you can help, please speak to Mary on 01822 481179 or email marywhalley@hotmail.co.uk Thank you.

Please continue to stay and well

With my best wishes,

Yours, as ever

Chris.

The Parishes of Tavistock, Gulworthy and Brent Tor

The Vicarage, 5a Plymouth Road, Tavistock, Devon PL19 8AU Tel: 01822 617432 Email: veryrevdchristopher.hardwick@btinternet.com

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I write this as our parishes and the country remains in lockdown. I hope and pray that everyone is safe and well.

We continue to review our COVID 19 protocols in accordance Government guidelines to ensure our buildings are as COVID-safe as possible.  The opening hours for worship and private prayer are:

St.Eustachius’, Tavistock

Sunday, 9.45 am Eucharist, and open for private prayer until 1 pm
Wednesday, 10.30 am Eucharist, and open for private prayer until 1 pm

 St.Paul’s, Gulworthy

 Sunday, 11.15 am Eucharist
Wednesday, 9 am until 3 pm open for private prayer

Christ Church, Brentor

Sunday, 9.45 am service, and open daily for private prayer

St.Michael’s, Brent Tor

Open daily for private prayer

….

Living in Love and Faith: A Discussion on Zoom, with Exeter Cathedral Wednesday, 3 February

Our Bishops are inviting us to take part in a conversation about sexuality and gender. This conversation will be going on in the Church of England throughout 2021 and will be crucial for the church’s direction in the coming years. The outcomes could have far-reaching consequences for the mission and unity of the church.

Sadly, in the past, conversations about sexuality and gender have not always been helpful conversations and have sometimes been conducted in confrontational ways and with polarised views. However, if we are committed to listen to one another, to articulate our own views with love and respect, and to make space for voices we have not heard thus far, we could have a really fruitful encounter.

To help this conversation, the Church of England has developed Living in Love and Faith, a set of resources and a call to talk, listen, and feedback. The resources include a book, a website and learning hub with videos, podcasts, group material to guide the conversation, and ways of feeding reflections back.

The Church says this about Living in Love and Faith:

“The Church of England is keenly aware that issues of gender and sexuality are intrinsic to people’s experience; their sense of identity; their lives and the loving relationships that shape and sustain them. We also know that the life and mission of our Church – and of the worldwide Anglican Communion – are affected by the deep, and sometimes painful, disagreements among us which have been debated and discussed on many occasions over the years.

These divisions have come into sharper focus because of society’s changing perspectives and practices, especially in relation to lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual and intersex people. The Church wants to understand what it means to follow Christ in love and faith given the questions about human identity and the variety of patterns of relationship emerging in our society, including marriage, civil partnership, cohabitation, celibacy and friendship.”

The materials in Living in Love and Faith are the result of a collaboration between many people of widely differing views and experiences; many of them share their own stories in videos, books, and podcasts.

So how can you get involved?

• You can buy the book.
• You can create an account on the online learning hub, for access to many materials and to the facility to feedback.
• You can join in a conversation with others.

To start the process in the Diocese, Exeter Cathedral will introduce these conversations in gatherings on Zoom on Wednesday, 3 February and have extended an invitation to anyone who would like to come to one of these one hour meetings:

Living in Love and Faith: A Discussion on Zoom, with Exeter Cathedral

11am and 7pm on Wednesday 3 February

Online link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85157561109?pwd=T2dud2NRWTFmYjQ3WEVrYXppTFZYZz09

Meeting ID: 851 5756 1109

Passcode: 983803

Or from a phone:

Telephone: 0203 051 2874

Meeting ID: 851 5756 1109 Passcode: 983803

…..

From the Archbishops of Canterbury and York: COVID 19

I have received the email letter below from our Archbishops and have put it in our February virtual magazine. For those who do not have access to the on-line magazine, the letter is reproduced below:

Dear friends

As we reach the terrible milestone of 100,000 deaths from COVID-19, we invite everyone in our nation to pause as we reflect on the enormity of this pandemic.

100,000 isn’t just an abstract figure. Each number is a person: someone we loved and someone who loved us. We also believe that each of these people was known to God and cherished by God.

We write to you then in consolation, but also in encouragement, and ultimately in the hope of Jesus Christ. The God who comes to us in Jesus knew grief and suffering himself. On the cross, Jesus shares the weight of our sadness.

We therefore encourage everyone who is feeling scared, or lost or isolated to cast their fears on God. We also know that poorer communities, minority ethnic communities and those living with disabilities have been afflicted disproportionately and cry out for the healing of these inequalities. During this pandemic, we encourage everyone to do all they can to live within the guidelines and constraints given by government following the advice of the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Adviser. We show our commitment, care and love for one another by ensuring we do everything we can to stop the virus spreading.

None of this is easy. Very many of us are experiencing isolation, loneliness, anxiety and despondency like never before. Many people have lost their livelihoods. Our economy struggles. Also, the necessary restrictions we live with have also prevented us from being alongside loved ones as they died, or even at their graveside. All grief profoundly affects us, but this pandemic grief is so hard.

Therefore, we need to support each other. We do this by following the guidelines. But we also do it by reaching out to each other with care and kindness.

One thing we can all do is pray. We hope it is some consolation to know that the church prays for the life of our nation every day. Whether you’re someone of faith, or not, we invite you to call on God in prayer. Starting on 1 February we invite you to set aside time every evening to pray, particularly at 6pm each day. More than ever, this is a time when we need to love each other. Prayer is an expression of love. A number of resources will be made available at www.ChurchofEngland.org/PrayerForTheNation.

Finally, we write of hope. We are grateful for the hope we have because of the service of our NHS and social care staff. What a blessing and lifeline for our nation. We are grateful for the service given in local communities by clergy, other frontline workers and so many good neighbours. We are grateful for the hope of the vaccine. It is a testimony to the God-given wisdom and gifts of scientists and researchers. We urge everyone to take the vaccine as soon as it is offered to you.

Most of all, we have hope because God raised Jesus from the dead. This is the Christian hope that we will be celebrating at Easter. We live in the hope that we will share in his resurrection. Death doesn’t have the last word. In God’s kingdom every tear will be wiped away.

Please be assured of our prayers. Please join us.

The Most Revd & Rt Hon Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury

The Most Revd & Rt Hon Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York

A prayer for those who mourn

Gracious God,
as we remember before you the thousands who have died,
surround us and all who mourn with your strong compassion.
Be gentle with us in our grief,
protect us from despair,
and give us grace to persevere
and face the future with hope
in Jesus Christ our risen Lord.
Amen.

….

A request for help from NHS Devon

We have been contacted by Jane Bullard from NHS Devon who is seeking our help in finding volunteers to assist at vaccination centres in Devon. The work will involve marshalling in car parks and acting as receptionists and helping out at the new 12 hour/7 day centres. Volunteers must be 69 or younger:

 

• Hundreds of volunteers are needed to cover four hour shifts, 12 hours per day, 7 days per week for the next few months
• Shifts are 0800 – 1200, 1200 – 1600 and 1600 – 2000. There isn’t anything to stop people doing multiple shifts
• We aren’t asking for a minimum commitment – people can do as many shifts as they would like and it’s possible to book 2 x 4hr shifts if they would rather do 8hrs
• All volunteers must fill in a simple application form hosted on the regional Our Plymouth volunteering website https://ourplymouth.co.uk/volunteer-opportunity/covid-19-vaccination-program-volunteers-needed/
• To see a short video of how a vaccination runs please follow this link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_HDLt_X-aQ

….

Our church websites, social media pages and noticeboards give clear information about where you can access online or telephone services or receive pastoral support and we will continue to broadcast on-line services each week on our Facebook and church websites. I shall be writing separately over the next few days about our plans for Lent 2021.

Please continue to share and cascade the information contained in this letter to anyone you know who has little or no access to email, or to our social media sites as best you can. It remains vitally important to keep everyone informed of, and involved in, our ongoing Church life across the Benefice during this time of lockdown. Thank you.

With God’s blessing

Christopher Hardwick

February 2021