"Hello,

First, thank you so much for everything you are doing for your communities at this unprecedented time. We know you are inside, and out, caring for the lonely, bereaved, ill, orphaned, isolated and scared. It is simply extraordinary to see the work Jesus’ church is being and doing and you inspire us.

We value your prayer support so very much and we are praying for you and your fellowship. You may have heard that it was with heavy hearts we closed our Support Centre earlier this week and moved what would usually be face-to-face services online and on the phone. The need for our services is greater than ever so we are doing all we can to make sure people in our town and further afield get the help they need at this frightening and difficult time.

We have already seen the numbers of people asking for help to stay in their homes go up. But we have also been able to move people who have recently come to us for help because they are living on the street into safe accommodation. We have also started working with foreign embassies to help try to get people who want to go home if they are not originally from the UK.

What’s changed since our last update?

*    Our staff are running support services in a different way. We have opened a hotline for those are homeless or at risk of homelessness and made it easier to get in touch via or website and by email.

*    Alongside working with other local organisations like One Can Trust foodbank, we will continue to house anyone who would otherwise be sleeping on the street, and support our guests who are accommodated, ensuring they have what they need to be healthy through the provision of food and other items.

*    Our staff will continue our homelessness prevention work over the phone and online.

*    We are working as closely as ever with local government and other local organisations to make sure everyone is taken care of.

Please pray:

>    For the safety and wellbeing of every single person who is helped by our services

>    That no one would be made homeless at this time and that the tools needed to prevent evictions happening will be strengthened and enacted quickly

>    That the staff and trustees stay well and healthy so they can continue to work

Give thanks for the generosity and support shown to the people we all serve Financial gifts are more vital than ever You might like to give to our appeal or share it with people you know who would like to help in this vital way. It is to help ensure our services as well as gifts of food, clothing and equipment can continue.

www.wyhoc.org.uk/urgent-appeal

Thank you so much"

The Wycombe Homeless Connection Team

  'He's got the whole wide world in His hands'

Are you reeling at the moment from the impact of coronavirus? Are you wondering how you’re going to cope with months of isolation or social distancing? Are you worried about work, money or how the country is ever going to recover from the impact of this pandemic? And are you looking for some kind of spiritual solace, but struggling to find words to pray. Then this little book could be just the thing for you.

It contains 52 prayers written in response to the crisis, asking for strength, encouragement and support, as well as help for loved ones and the wider world. Honest, down-to-earth and heartfelt, it’s a resource written to help you articulate what you are feeling and bring you hope in these dark and difficult days.

Why is it free?

With all the craziness and uncertainty in the world right now, both Nick and Kevin Mayhew Publishers wanted to give something back and help support you as we all go through this together - which is why Nick Fawcett has created this special resource in response to the situation we find ourselves in.  They hope that it give you a little help and peace of mind.  Stay safe.

https://mailchi.mp/kevinmayhew.com/forsuchatimeasthis

 

'Lockdown'

A poem by Brother Richard Hendrick, a Capuchin Franciscan

Yes there is fear.

Yes there is isolation.

Yes there is panic buying.

Yes there is sickness.

Yes there is even death.

But,

They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise

You can hear the birds again.

They say that after just a few weeks of quiet

The sky is no longer thick with fumes

But blue and grey and clear.

They say that in the streets of Assisi

People are singing to each other

across the empty squares,

keeping their windows open

so that those who are alone

may hear the sounds of family around them.

They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland

Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.

Today a young woman I know

is busy spreading fliers with her number

through the neighbourhood

So that the elders may have someone to call on.

Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples

are preparing to welcome

and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary

All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting

All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way

All over the world people are waking up to a new reality

To how big we really are.

To how little control we really have.

To what really matters.

To Love.

So we pray and we remember that

Yes there is fear.

But there does not have to be hate.

Yes there is isolation.

But there does not have to be loneliness.

Yes there is panic buying.

But there does not have to be meanness.

Yes there is sickness.

But there does not have to be disease of the soul

Yes there is even death.

But there can always be a rebirth of love.

Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.

Today, breathe.

Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic

The birds are singing again

The sky is clearing,

Spring is coming,

And we are always encompassed by Love.

Open the windows of your soul

And though you may not be able

to touch across the empty square,

Sing

Since the Government has asked all churches to remain closed until further notice, it will no longer be possible to collect foodbank donations in the church porches.  The larger supermarkets have collecting boxes at their entrance doors - please could we encourage you to support foodbanks by adding an item of food if and when you go to shop.  Thank you for your generous support.

A message from CAFOD Director, Christine Allen

I’m sure that like me, you must be worried about the situation with COVID-19 at the moment. CAFOD is very much part of the Catholic family and as with any family, when one of us is unsettled or anxious it affects us all. We pray for all those affected by the virus both here in the UK and overseas, and for all the medical staff who are working so hard to keep us safe.

 

Although gathering as a church community is paused, it was good to hear that the doors of churches will remain open, to offer us a place to be still in God’s presence.

We are learning new ways to keep spiritually connected and look after ourselves and others, particularly during Lent. Here are some ideas to help to keep us together as a community even though we need to be apart:

• In a time of isolation, take some time to pause and focus on your wellbeing. We have prayers, liturgies and reflections to support you in your prayer life.
• While the kids are off school and you’re in need of some fun activities, our education resources pages are packed with great ideas.
• Join our new Facebook group so that we can gather as an online family and offer you our prayers, online talks and isolation activities in one place, please do share your own ideas too.
• We are hosting an online children's liturgy this coming Sunday, you can sign up now.
• To hear about our work, each week we will have a series of live online events you can take part in. These will include opportunities to come together for prayer and chat as well as interviews with staff.
• We are working on the different ways our parish volunteers and campaigners can still involve their communities and continue to be a powerful force for good, so please keep in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram as well.

 

Our work in some of the world’s poorest communities continues. There is great concern as this is a fast-moving situation and we are closely monitoring developments in the countries where we work around the world so that we are ready to support our local experts with whatever they need.

 

Our work with so many in need is only possible because of the generosity and love you show to those around the world. If you wish to donate to our Lent appeal and support the crucial, ongoing work of our local experts like Sister Consilia, we will ensure your gift reaches the poorest and most vulnerable at this uncertain time.

 

As I’m sure is the case for many of us, I am praying for guidance from the Holy Spirit to help steer us through these difficult times. Thank you for continuing to keep CAFOD in your prayers. Please stay safe as we continue to support one another.

 

With love and prayers,

Christine Allen

Director, CAFOD

 

Message from:      Hazel Chow

 

                                Beaconsfield Town Centre Chaplain           

 

March 21^st 2020

 

 

To all the shops and businesses in Beaconsfield

I am part of the staff team at St Michael’s Church, Warwick Road in the Church of England team of churches with St Mary’s in the Old Town and St Thomas’s, Holtspur.  For a number of years I have taken on the voluntary role of Town Centre Chaplain for all the churches in Beaconsfield.

 

On their behalf I am writing to say that we know that this is a really difficult time for you, individually and particularly as businesses.  You are in all our thoughts and prayers. 

 

Social distancing and isolation means that I am unable to get round and speak to each of you personally but if anyone would like a listening ear you can ring me on 07968 078698.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Hazel Chow

Beaconsfield Town and Workplace Chaplain