Covid-19 virus
The first concern of the Priest and Churchwarden at this time is the safety of the community. All decisions have been taken with this in mind and in line with advice we have received from the Government and the Church of England.
Open Church
We are delighted to announce that the Church building of St John’s Sharow will be open each day 10am to 4pm for private contemplation and prayer. It is essential that you keep physical and social distance to avoid virus transmission. Please use the hand sanitiser and disinfection wipes available and try to touch as little as possible.
If you are able to enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the churchyard, please remember to keep physical and social distance. Enjoy the experience of the labyrinth.
Sadly we are not able to leave the toilets open when the church is unsupervised.
For the present Holy Innocents Copt Hewick is open once a week.
NB the wider Church has never closed and whatever our beliefs we are all still serving our community, worshipping or praying in different ways.
We now have some limited return to the buildings.
Worship
As of now church services have been resumed in St John’s Sharow for up to 30 people nd in Holy Innocents Copt Hewick there for up to 20 people. Services will be simultaneously live streamed Facebook.
For children Carol-Ann continues to livestream JAM Club each Sunday at 10:30am.
NB live streamed events can be watched latervia the St John’s, Sharow Facebook page
Revd Ruth wishes all to know that she does not want people to feel they have to return to the church building, particularly when they can take part in the service on line from their home.
NB Masks must be worn in church, although presiding clergy no longer have to wear a mask. Please follow the guidance on entering and preferably download the NHS COVID-19 app and check in with your phone.
For more details of Services including live streamed Services
Click or tap HERE for the Services Tab
APPEAL FOR A PEAL Bells of St John’s
Baptisms, Weddings & Funerals
Government and Diocese guidance allows Baptisms, Weddings for up to 15 people and Funerals for up to 30 people.
There are many different and personal ways to say goodbye to and to remember family and friends, ranging from a “Book of Lives” which will have a place in the Church to online services of lament and mourning. After the crisis is over we will create opportunities for remembrance and mourning.
Home Visits
For the safety of the entire community we have taken the difficult decision to restrict all pastoral visiting. However this does not mean that we have stopped offering pastoral care. We acknowledge that is a difficult and uncertain time for everyone and problems don’t stop just because of the Covid-19.
Anyone wanting a confidential and listening ear at this uncertain time, please feel free to ring Ruth Grenfell on 01765 605771 or 07846 395396
Anyone wanting to receive regular telephone check ins should pop their name through the door of parish house or text 07805265171
Revd Ruth will do a Zoom ‘surgery’ on each Monday afternoon on request by email to Revd Ruth Newton [email protected] or text 07805265171 for anything from trivial to serious.
Care of the sick and dying
The Church has a long tradition of caring for the sick and dying which we want to continue. If someone close to death needs the support of the Church please ring 07805265171. If there is no answer the quickest way to get a response is to text. Although we will not be able to visit in person, we have resources and advice available.
Practical Assistance
In Sharow and surrounds there are many volunteers in the community offering to shop/help out people quarantined or isolated by the virus.
If anyone in Sharow, Copt Hewick, Marton le Moor and surrounding district needs some help please message Carol-ann Howe [email protected] or call Rosemary Triffitt 01765 605576.
And huge thanks to all volunteers 🥰👏
Remember
It’s not just about what you can catch but about what you might share with someone else. The virus will wither and die if it can’t find a host. If you are vulnerable (that is entitled to a free flu injection) we strongly urge you to stay at home. Allow others to have the privilege of helping you. If you are feeling redundant during the crisis there are two things you can do. Pray and phone both are essential. If you wish to be a phone buddy or have a phone buddy then please email [email protected].
Don’t ever let a virus find a new host.
Facebook St John’s, Sharow @stjohnssharow
Twitter @SharowSt
Revd Ruth’s Personal Twitter @RuthNewton71
Revd Ruth’s Sermon Twitter @greening_the
The Church Mission
At the heart of the village of Sharow lies the church of St John.
The mission of the church in this parish is to be a centre for Christian worship, witness, teaching and pastoral care for everyone.The church serves Sharow, including Ure Bank, and the surrounding villages of Copt Hewick, Marton le Moor, Hutton Conyers and Bridge Hewick.
Our primary function is to glorify God. We aim to do this through:
Worship, which (in normal times) takes place at 10:00am on Sundays and Wednesdays, and corporate prayer which takes place at 8:30am on a Monday.
Pastoral ministry, offering baptisms, weddings and funerals, a listening ear and practical support. As soon as we can we shall resume our “village pantry” in the open church – a store of food products for those in need to help themselves. No questions asked! We are sorry that it’s not possible to have it till there is no risk of infection.
Community Engagement, as our building provides an important community hub which is used by a variety of organisations. The church and village hall run Silver Diners – a lunch club which takes place in the village hall and have a close relationship with our local Church of England School. We offer a range of fun social activities.
Caring for God’s creation and working for climate justice, are important parts of our mission. Our churchyard is managed for bio-diversity and has County Wildlife Status. We are a registered Eco-Church working towards our silver award. See what our Parish Priest says in ‘Greening the Lectionary’ https://www.greeningthelectionary.net/
Teaching and Nurturing children and adults. Children are an integral part of our church. Our Sunday Services are either specifically designed to be all age or we run a JAM club (Sunday School). We run courses three times a year, in Lent, Creation-tide and Advent to help people grow in their faith. Safeguarding is of vital importance to us. Please see below for the policies we adhere to.
Link to: Safeguarding at St John’s
The House of Bishops Safeguarding Policy for children, young people and adults
The parish of Sharow is part of the Anglican Diocese of Leeds https://www.leeds.anglican.org/
You may find it helpful to sign up to the Diocesan Digital Learning platform to discover additional opportunities to grow in your faith and ministry.
Link to Anglican Diocese of Leeds Digital Learning Platform[/vc_column_text]
