Harvest Thanksgiving 20/9/2020

 

Tomorrow we are observing Harvest Thanksgiving in three of our churches; St Mary’s, Passage West at 9.45; Holy Trinity, Frankfield at 10.00 and St Luke’s, Douglas at 11.15. (Next Sunday it will be the turn of St Michael’s, Blackrock at their 11.30 service).

I am conscious that Harvest Thanksgiving is one of the high points of the year for many parishioners and there will be those, who for very obvious reasons, will not be able to attend church. With that in mind, I have prepared a short Harvest Reflection with music and imagery which you can access on the parish YouTube channel from early tomorrow morning. Here is the link:

 

You will find the collect, gospel reading and prayers on the attached document. Please read the collect and gospel passage before turning to the video reflection and you might like to use the prayers after watching it. I hope you will be able to celebrate harvest in your own home using this material.

 

Finally I want to highlight an issue for those who are attending our church services. You will be aware that under the current government regulations we are at level 2. This means that we are still able to hold church services in a socially distanced and responsible way. There is a maximum limit of 50 for such services where space permits. Depending on the make up of the congregation, this number can be less in some of our churches. For example if those who attended a service in Holy Trinity Church, Frankfield were all individuals from separate households, then the capacity of the church would be less than 30. 

I make this point because it is important that parishioners understand that as our churches near their maximum capacity on Sunday mornings, there may be the need to turn late arrivals away. Please don’t be offended if this happens to you and be understanding of the churchwardens who will be embarrassed to have to do this. However it is vital that we abide by the government regulations and I will not start the service until I am sure we are fully compliant.

 

Our services next Sunday are:

10.00 Frankfield

11.15 Douglas

11.30 Blackrock  (No 8.30 service)

 

I know you are thinking of friends and family in Dublin at this time. We continue to pray for health and safety for all.

 

Every blessing

 

Adrian.

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