Thursday 23rd. April:
A number of people have asked about financial giving during the present crisis. Once the crisis has ended this may be something that will need serious attention. However, we appreciate your concern at this time. If you give on a regular basis by direct debit or standing order there is no need to change anything. If you give by weekly envelopes in the collection plate during services, you may want to continue putting your weekly gifts into envelopes, accumulating them until you can return to worship in the church.
We do anticipate, however, that there will be a drop in total giving during the crisis. If you are in a position to give a one off donation to ease this situation you can do so by a BACS transfer. Robin will put the churches bank details into the invite for worship this Sunday. If you do not receive invites for the online service, as you do not participate in the service, you can ask Robin for the bank details of St. Mary's or St. Edith's via the email address for this website - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Saturday 18th. April:
Over the coming week we will be placing the words of 7 different Psalms, and accompanying prayers, into the 'prayer resources' section of the website. You may want to use these psalms and prayers for personal meditation and reflection.
Monday 13th. April:
Thank you to all of you who joined us on Good Friday or Easter Sunday for our acts of Worship. The highlight for Norma and myself is seeing you all on your little screens as we wait to start!
Hopefully see you at 11.00 a.m. on Sunday.
Church choir say thanks for Easter Eggs
Wednesday 8th. April:
The Church of England encourages us all to continue to light candles and place them in our windows on Sunday Evenings. They have, however, changed the time from 7.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. in keeping with the lengthening of daylight hours.
Tuesday 7th. April:
On Good Friday the Chester Mystery Plays will be live on YouTube at 10.30 a.m. They will them be available for another 8 weeks.
Sunday 5th. April:
A few reminders today. We have our online service every Sunday at 11.00 a.m., with an additional Good Fridat Meditation this week at 10.00 a.m.
Martin Bussey has recorded Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring on the piano and has sung Were You There When They Crucified My Lord, particularly significant over this Easter season.Both are accessible via the church website or YouTube.
Bishop Keith has once again asked us to light a candle at 7.00 p.m. tonight and place it in our window as a sign of our faith and unity at this difficult time. This week he has also asked us to meditate over the words of Psalm 121, especially 'I look up to the mountains - does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.'
Thursday 2nd. April:
As the corona crisis deepens we continue to think about all those who have contracted the illness, and may be fighting for their lives. We must not, however, forget the very large number of people whose source of income has drastically reduced, or even ceased. If you know anyone who is struggling even to provide food for their familiies, please let us know. There is help available and we will make sure it received discreetly and sensitively. You can speak to me or Norma on 01829 250989 or email us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Wednesday 1st. April:
We will have an online Good Friday Meditation at 10.00 a.m. - 'Witnesses to the Easter Story.' To take part ask Robin for a link by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (as for the Sunday services).
Thursday 19th. March:
The Church of England has invited us to place a candle in our windows at 7.00 p.m. on Sunday 22nd. March as a sign of solidarity and a reminder that the light of Christ can never be extinguished, not matter how dark our world may appear to be.
Friday 20th. March:
Nothing to update
Saturday 21st. March:
In the coming weeks there will be many families who will start to struggle financially, but may be reluctant to ask for support. If you know anyone who is finding it difficult, please phone the Vicarage ans speak to myself or Norma and we will try to discreetly offer help.
A reminder that St. Mary's church will be open for prayer from 10.00 a.m. to 12 noon on Sunday and St. Edith's church also open for prayer from 10.00 a.m. to 12 noon on Monday. Prayer resources will be available and suitable music will be quietly played during these times.
Mothers' Day Flowers # Social Distancing
Sunday 22nd. March:
A big thankyou to Penny, Sue and Norma, who safety delivered the Mothering Sunday daffodils to all those who couldn't leave their homes due to self isolation.
Monday 23rd. March:
Liz Jones will be in St. Mary's Church this coming Sunday between 10.00 a.m. and 10.45 a.m. to play hymns. If you have any requests please bring then along. The church will then be available for prayer until 12 noon.
Tuesday 24th. March:
Following the latest government announcements last night, sadly we will have to close the churches, even to private prayer. I will, however, continue to add prayers to the 'prayer resources' section of this website.
Norma and I will be engaging in a trial 'video conference' with the Church Wardens tomorrow night (kindly set up by Robin Travis). If this runs smoothly, we will explore online services, so watch this space for details!
Wednesday 25th. March:
The 'video conference' between Norma and I and the Wardens was successful. We are therefore intending to stream a live act of worship from the Vicarage this coming Sunday (29th. March) at 11.00 a.m. We will invite anyone who wants to join us into this experience. If you would like to be included please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for a link, which you will need to click on just before the 11.00 a.m. start time. You will be given an ID number and Password to join. You can watch the service or listen to it on audio only. You can decide on the day. The service will only be about 15-20 minutes in duration.
The only other thing we ask you to do in advance of Sunday is download the Zoom App, which is free of charge, onto your computer, iPad or Smartphone.
Friday 27th. March:
It was good to hear so many people clapping in appreciation of the NHS at 8.00 p.m. yesterday.
Don't forget to put your clocks forward on Saturday night, especially if you want to take part in our online service at 11.00 a.m. on Sunday.
Saturday 28th. March:
Apart from our 11.00 a.m. Service, on Sunday we are again being asked to light a candle at 7.00 p.m. and pray. I have included in 'prayer resources' an excellent prayer method from Bishop Keith.
Sunday 29th. March:
A big thanks to Robin for setting up today's online service. We will run another one at 11.00 a.m. next Sunday on Palm Sunday. Hopefully we will be able to be involve others and the service will be a little more ambitious.
Just a reminder - please try and light a candle again tonight at 7.00 p.m. Place it in your window and pray, especially for those who are ill with the corona virus and those whose lives have been drastically changed by the current crisis.
Monday 30th. March:
Nothing to update
Tuesday 31st. March:
Martin Bussey has kindly produced a recording of Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring, which can be accessed via the following YouTube link
(If a direct link doesn't work, once on YouTube try 'Jesu joy of man's desiring Shocklach Chapel')
Quite appropriate as we approach Easter.