St James's Church Whitehaven -message from the Rector

On the website of St James' Church Whitehaven there is a message from the Rector of Whiteahven, the Reverend Robert Jackson which I found very moving and helpful in these difficult times.

Some extracts are as follows, you can read the whole thing by following the link above.

"Dear friends,


With the ever-growing concern, world-wide and at home, regarding the coronavirus, I wanted to inform you of our response to this pandemic. First, may I remind you of the words of Paul in 2 Timothy 1:7; ‘For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind’. 

We are living in troubling times, however that does not me that we have to give in to fear because ‘…the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world’ - 1 John 4:4.


We have had to take practical steps because of this virus. Sadly, we have now had to shut all our places of public worship. This done in line with Government and Church of England instruction. But, just because we cannot ‘go’ to church this does not mean that we cannot ‘be’ The Church.


Please be assured that prayer continues - said at various times each day."



"Finally, I want to encourage you to…

Look up - Pray for others and for yourself. Pray for all affected by this terrible virus, and pray for our NHS and all workers.


Look around - be grateful for all that God has given you.


Look out - with eyes of compassion for all people. If you are in a position to help someone and it is safe for you to do so - do it!


Friends, if you need help - get in touch. There are a number of people in our church family who have contacted me to say that want to help. Allow them and me to help you.


A foot note.


Be faithful. Remember: ‘…the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world’.


Be The Church even though you cannot go to church.


Bless You.


Robert"

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