LATEST NEWS FROM THE
ST LAURENCE COMMUNITY
Updated Monday 3rd August at 6.00am
ST LAURENCE COMMUNITY
Updated Monday 3rd August at 6.00am
CORONAVIRUS LATEST - IMPORTANT UPDATE
With the phased easing of Coronavirus restrictions, as from Monday 15th June we are able to open our church building for individual prayer and meditation - subject to appropriate measures being in place to ensure that we are Covid-secure.
Further easing means that from Saturday 4th July we are able to resume worship, again, subject to appropriate measures being in place to ensure that we remain Covid-secure.
Please note that as from Saturday 8th August face coverings are mandatory for visits to places of worship.
With the phased easing of Coronavirus restrictions, as from Monday 15th June we are able to open our church building for individual prayer and meditation - subject to appropriate measures being in place to ensure that we are Covid-secure.
Further easing means that from Saturday 4th July we are able to resume worship, again, subject to appropriate measures being in place to ensure that we remain Covid-secure.
Please note that as from Saturday 8th August face coverings are mandatory for visits to places of worship.
How does this impact on St Laurence?
'OPEN CHURCH' FOR INDIVIDUAL PRAYER AND MEDITATION
Every Friday and Saturday, 10.30am - 12.30pm
St Laurence is now open for individual prayer/meditation on Fridays and Saturdays from 10.30am-12.30pm. Individual prayer/meditation is defined as a person or household entering the building to pray/meditate on their own and not as part of a group, led prayer or communal act. Please note that strict social-distancing and Covid-secure arrangements are in place, and that visitors are requested to use the space in quietness so as to respect those in prayer and meditation. Pastoral support will also be available on site at these times. Please note that as from Saturday 8th August face coverings are mandatory.
SILENT SITTING - IT'S BACK AT ST LAURENCE FROM TUESDAY 7TH JULY!
Every Tuesday, 8.00-8.30am
The Tuesday morning St Laurence Silent Sitting community (which includes people of any faith or non) have continued to keep their time together during the Coronavirus lockdown - although separated in space. Between 8.00 and 8.3am every Tuesday morning they have sat at home with a candle and in spirit with each other, and kept this half hour for a period of silence, prayer, meditation and contemplation. Now, from Tuesday 7th July, St Laurence has re-opened its sacred space for those wishing to attend in person at that time. Arrangements have been made, in line with government guidance, to ensure a Covid-secure environment is in place to safeguard all those wishing to attend. Of course, for those still self-isolating or shielding, or still with any concerns or worries about public contact, then you are most welcome to continue to join us at the same time at home, taking comfort in the knowledge that you are sharing the moment with many others both at St Laurence and in their own homes. Please note that as from Saturday 8th August face coverings are mandatory.
SATURDAY DAYBREAK MORNING PRAYER - IT'S BACK TOO!
Every Saturday, 8.30-9.00am
Saturday Daybreak Morning Prayer has returned, taking place every Saturday morning between 8.30 and 9.00am. Again, a Covid-secure environment has been provided for this. Why not join us for this simple half-hour service before your visit to Stroud's outdoor markets and shops? Please note that as from Saturday 8th August face coverings are mandatory.
RESUMPTION OF OTHER REGULAR WORSHIP
The Stroud Team clergy and local churchwardens are currently urgently reviewing both government and Church of England guidance as to what other arrangements can be put in place for the resumption of communal worship within St Laurence and the wider Stroud Team. All the latest news and information about the precise arrangements for St Laurence will be published here as soon as it is available.
Every Friday and Saturday, 10.30am - 12.30pm
St Laurence is now open for individual prayer/meditation on Fridays and Saturdays from 10.30am-12.30pm. Individual prayer/meditation is defined as a person or household entering the building to pray/meditate on their own and not as part of a group, led prayer or communal act. Please note that strict social-distancing and Covid-secure arrangements are in place, and that visitors are requested to use the space in quietness so as to respect those in prayer and meditation. Pastoral support will also be available on site at these times. Please note that as from Saturday 8th August face coverings are mandatory.
SILENT SITTING - IT'S BACK AT ST LAURENCE FROM TUESDAY 7TH JULY!
Every Tuesday, 8.00-8.30am
The Tuesday morning St Laurence Silent Sitting community (which includes people of any faith or non) have continued to keep their time together during the Coronavirus lockdown - although separated in space. Between 8.00 and 8.3am every Tuesday morning they have sat at home with a candle and in spirit with each other, and kept this half hour for a period of silence, prayer, meditation and contemplation. Now, from Tuesday 7th July, St Laurence has re-opened its sacred space for those wishing to attend in person at that time. Arrangements have been made, in line with government guidance, to ensure a Covid-secure environment is in place to safeguard all those wishing to attend. Of course, for those still self-isolating or shielding, or still with any concerns or worries about public contact, then you are most welcome to continue to join us at the same time at home, taking comfort in the knowledge that you are sharing the moment with many others both at St Laurence and in their own homes. Please note that as from Saturday 8th August face coverings are mandatory.
SATURDAY DAYBREAK MORNING PRAYER - IT'S BACK TOO!
Every Saturday, 8.30-9.00am
Saturday Daybreak Morning Prayer has returned, taking place every Saturday morning between 8.30 and 9.00am. Again, a Covid-secure environment has been provided for this. Why not join us for this simple half-hour service before your visit to Stroud's outdoor markets and shops? Please note that as from Saturday 8th August face coverings are mandatory.
RESUMPTION OF OTHER REGULAR WORSHIP
The Stroud Team clergy and local churchwardens are currently urgently reviewing both government and Church of England guidance as to what other arrangements can be put in place for the resumption of communal worship within St Laurence and the wider Stroud Team. All the latest news and information about the precise arrangements for St Laurence will be published here as soon as it is available.
In the meantime, our other current online arrangements and activities will continue, and are available via the Stroud Team website.
HOME PRAYER
FOR THE ST LAURENCE COMMUNITY
We have established 'prayer stations' within St Laurence, and until you are able to visit the church in person, you may find the images, prayers and other guidance below helpful in your private home prayer during this time.
FOR THE ST LAURENCE COMMUNITY
We have established 'prayer stations' within St Laurence, and until you are able to visit the church in person, you may find the images, prayers and other guidance below helpful in your private home prayer during this time.
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10:10 DAILY HOME PRAYER
During this time, we encourage you to stop at 10:10am each day to pray, to remember that we are still the Body of Christ in this place, to read a passage from the Bible, a reflection ... Why 10:10? Well, we hope this will remind us of Jesus' promise to us: "I have come that they may have LIFE, and have it to the full" (John 10:10). It would be good to phone someone to share that time together. Photograph courtesy of Hugh Richards |
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PRAYER FOR THE ETERNAL LOVE OF GOD
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'THE 6-CHAIR PRAYER'
This message has been received by us, and is truly inspiring. It relates to the prayer station illustrated above, and comes from someone who had never been to church before until she walked through the doors of St Laurence about a year ago. She is now a regular part of the St Laurence Cowshed community. This story expresses all the lament and all the hope, which is what God holds for us. We thought we should share it with you with her permission. We have called it the '6-Chair Prayer'.
This message has been received by us, and is truly inspiring. It relates to the prayer station illustrated above, and comes from someone who had never been to church before until she walked through the doors of St Laurence about a year ago. She is now a regular part of the St Laurence Cowshed community. This story expresses all the lament and all the hope, which is what God holds for us. We thought we should share it with you with her permission. We have called it the '6-Chair Prayer'.
I went into town today for essentials - sellotape included - sure that James & Owen would be forced to close tomorrow. I was correct. On my way back home I went in through St.Laurence's open door and saw the six chairs arranged around a low table, spread with a cloth and a small vase of spring flowers. I sat in each chair in turn and wept.
In the beginning the tears sprang from a realisation of how deeply important the inclusive welcome I’ve experienced in that space has been for my soul.
Then the tears were for the people I won’t be sitting amongst in the circle of the Cowshed Service, the witness of the bread-breaking which is so symbolic of the inclusion I refer to, offered in the most welcoming non-patriarchal way. It is a miracle.
Then the tears were for the members of those gatherings who might die.
And then for the people in my wider community who might not make it through this, emotionally as well as physically.
In the fifth chair I gave thanks for my ancestors who did make it through plague, cholera, syphilis, the flu epidemic and more, the people who gifted me life. I still cried.
In the sixth, looking up to that enormous crucifix I wept some more as I thanked Jesus for his deep humanity and humility; I have an opportunity to live up to his role modelling through this crisis. I extended my thanks to Judy, Simon and Mathew.
That space has witnessed deep transformation in me and now it will have to close. Thank God I walked in there today.
In the beginning the tears sprang from a realisation of how deeply important the inclusive welcome I’ve experienced in that space has been for my soul.
Then the tears were for the people I won’t be sitting amongst in the circle of the Cowshed Service, the witness of the bread-breaking which is so symbolic of the inclusion I refer to, offered in the most welcoming non-patriarchal way. It is a miracle.
Then the tears were for the members of those gatherings who might die.
And then for the people in my wider community who might not make it through this, emotionally as well as physically.
In the fifth chair I gave thanks for my ancestors who did make it through plague, cholera, syphilis, the flu epidemic and more, the people who gifted me life. I still cried.
In the sixth, looking up to that enormous crucifix I wept some more as I thanked Jesus for his deep humanity and humility; I have an opportunity to live up to his role modelling through this crisis. I extended my thanks to Judy, Simon and Mathew.
That space has witnessed deep transformation in me and now it will have to close. Thank God I walked in there today.
PRAYER FOR GOD AS MYSTERY
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PRAYER FOR THE BLESSED SILENCE
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PRAYER FOR THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE
A prayer by Revd Matthew Page
A prayer by Revd Matthew Page
"IN THE TIME OF PANDEMIC"
A poem by Catherine (Kitty) O’Meara
https://the-daily-round.com/
(With thanks to Laura Huxford and Iris Trask for making us aware of this poem)
A poem by Catherine (Kitty) O’Meara
https://the-daily-round.com/
(With thanks to Laura Huxford and Iris Trask for making us aware of this poem)
And the people stayed home.
And they read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still.
And they listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently.
And the people healed.
And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal.
And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed.
And they read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still.
And they listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently.
And the people healed.
And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal.
And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed.
"NO DISTANCE"
A poem by Steve Garnaas-Holmes
A poem by Steve Garnaas-Holmes
In the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — 1 Corinthians 12.13
Our social distancing is an illusion.
We are one. There is no distance. No gap.
Isolated in your apartment, you belong.
You breathe and it fills my lungs.
You weep and my heart is broken.
We are one body in many places.
In this time of separation we open our hearts,
we allow ourselves to flow out from our bodies
in Spirit to one another, to the strangers
who are part of us. Like the Italians
singing from their balconies with neighbors,
we are all notes of the same song.
Love flows where germs cannot. Meditate
on our amazing unity. Extend your spirit
to include all it includes: the whole world.
Breathe in this breath (so threatened!), a gift.
Breathe out this breath (so released!), a gift.
Let compassion for all beings flow with it,
in and out, refreshing your whole body,
the Body of Christ, the whole human family,
the whole Creation. Let love be our body.
Let your love take flesh. Make calls.
Write letters. And when you come back out
don't stop being one another's body. It's your life.
Our social distancing is an illusion.
We are one. There is no distance. No gap.
Isolated in your apartment, you belong.
You breathe and it fills my lungs.
You weep and my heart is broken.
We are one body in many places.
In this time of separation we open our hearts,
we allow ourselves to flow out from our bodies
in Spirit to one another, to the strangers
who are part of us. Like the Italians
singing from their balconies with neighbors,
we are all notes of the same song.
Love flows where germs cannot. Meditate
on our amazing unity. Extend your spirit
to include all it includes: the whole world.
Breathe in this breath (so threatened!), a gift.
Breathe out this breath (so released!), a gift.
Let compassion for all beings flow with it,
in and out, refreshing your whole body,
the Body of Christ, the whole human family,
the whole Creation. Let love be our body.
Let your love take flesh. Make calls.
Write letters. And when you come back out
don't stop being one another's body. It's your life.
