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Golders Green Parish Church – Newsletter

26 August 2020

Our guest contributor this week is Rex 

Farewell from Rex.

I remember in a previous church where I worked, the vicar, at the welcome supper we held for those who had recently joined us, had a speech he would give. “Everyone leaves this church one day (some in a box!) but everyone leaves, but I hope that when you leave you will have benefited from your time with us.”
I must admit, over the years I did not spend a lot of time thinking about what it would be like when my time as vicar of Golders Green Parish Church came to an end, but I can say with absolute certainty, I never imagined it would be like this! Covid-19 has changed everything. But my time as your vicar has now come to an end. I am stepping back from parish ministry, due to the generosity of a friend I am taking a year off to pray and think, and even play some golf!
If I had thought about what it would have been like,  I would have imagined us all together in the church on my last Sunday, we could have reminisced together and possibly shared a glass of wine, but that is not possible and so I must say goodbye like this.
Before I applied to your advert for a new vicar in 2007, someone who I trusted told me that as they had been praying for me and about the new job I was looking for, they felt that God was saying to them that what I would find would be small but it would be pure gold… and so it turned out to be! I have had time over the recent months to look back at my 13 years in Golders Green, as I have done so I have become more and more grateful to God for all that I have seen and been able to do.
I was taught that the most important thing a vicar can do is to love the people under their care. That was my first prayer when I arrived and you have made that prayer easy for God to answer!
The thing that has moved me the most over these last months of reflection, is the trust that you showed me. I have seen some discover faith, still others their faith has deepened and become the centre of their lives, and all before my very eyes.
Some have allowed me to be with them as they have died, sharing with me their most important thoughts and feelings. For a priest there is no more special place than that, a real privilege.
Many have allowed me to hold their new-born child and give thanks to God for the safe arrival of new life.
You have entrusted me with huge amounts of money so we could re-order the building, making it ready for the 21 century.
I have worked with some amazingly talented people, who have done great things among us.
And of course you have allowed me to pray for you, sharing with me your greatest worries and fears as well as your joys and successes.
Of course it has not all been plain sailing, for many years I was seriously unwell, during that time I could see the gold most clearly, you could not have been kinder or more considerate. It was then that I could see why God had called me to Golders Green, so I could be under your care.
Have I benefited from my time in Golders Green, oh yes, so much more than I can say in words. I have laughed with you, cried with you, it has been a privilege to be with you. Thank you so much.
Love Rex x

Thank you Rex
 
 
Daily Hope - The Church of England Phone line church service - is available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044 – has been set up particularly with those unable to join online church services during the period of restrictions in mind.
Please continue to pray for those who have asked us as a community to pray for them
Okey Jnr, Margaret, Yvone, Anna, Jason, Ian, Eva, Juliette, Ivor, Myfanwy, Tim and Dorothy


We at Golders Green Church will continue to offer a number of ways we can and will keep in contact though emailing and phoning each other, the use of Facebook and the website, sending out updates by supporting those who need shopping, prescriptions fetched, letters posted and anything else you may need if you are isolated at home, whether you are in the over 70-year-old age group, or, have underlying health conditions.
The important thing is, PLEASE LET US KNOW. We are drawing up a list of volunteers we can call on to help. If anyone wants to add their names to this, please email Rex rex@gg-pc.co.uk
 
Radio, Television and Online Worship

You may wish to join in worship during this time through television and radio.
Check online, in the Radio Times and elsewhere for details:
Songs of Praise BBC 1, Sunday afternoon, variable times
Sunday Worship BBC Radio 4, Sunday, 8.10am Choral Evensong BBC
Radio 3, Wednesday Daily Service
BBC Radio 4 (Longwave only), weekdays, 9.45am
Big Sunday Service Premier Christian Radio, Sunday, 7am, 8am, 10am Easter Sunday Eucharist A service is usually broadcast on the BBC on Easter morning
Free 24 hour telephone church service 0800 804 8044
Online resources Church of England Daily Prayer https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-service-dailyprayer
https://mailchi.mp/b9d86a4acdc7/coming-up-from-st-pauls-cathedral-1274047?e=377e26b1db St Paul’s Cathedral have a number of resources available for us to use.
Church of England Online Resources during this time https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/coronaviruscovid-19-liturgy-and-prayer-resources
Go On-line to " ps://www.achurchnearyou.com", put in Area or post code and find a local church that broadcasts Worship.
Prayers from Christian Aid https://www.christianaid.org.uk/pray/churches/coronavirus-prayers
https://pray-as-you-go.org/ Pray as you Go (a short service each day in the Jesuit Tradition)
LICC have some great resources on their website https://www.licc.org.uk/
Especially on Covid-19 https://www.licc.org.uk/ourresources/prayer-journeys/presence-pressure-purpose/