URC Mid Somerset Group

The virtual service from Curry Rivel, led by Jo Morling on 26th April, is now available to view or download. Go to the Services page of this web site or CLICK here. We still suffer from a few gremlins but the quality of the recording is slowly improving. There is an audio-only version and a low resolution video of the proceedings, together with order of service hymns and other handouts. For the service on May 3rd send your favourite Psalms to Steve Beney. The service on May 10th will include Holy Communion.

Satan : I will cause anxiety, fear and panic. I will shut down business, schools, places of worship, and sports events. I will cause economic turmoil. Jesus : I will bring together neighbours, restore the family unit, I will bring dinner back to the kitchen table. I will help people slow down their lives and appreciate what really matters. I will teach my children to rely on me and not the world. I will teach my children to trust me and not their money and material resources. Which do you prefer? Attributed, probably wrongly, to C. S. Lewis in 1942. More likely a modern-day paraphrase of his style.

The Co-op have introduced a gift card scheme for those self-isolating and reliant on others to do their shopping. Speak to the dedicated colleagues on 0800 029 4592 to purchase a Co-op gift card which can be shared with friends, neighbours or volunteers to pay for your shopping in your local Co-op. For more information CLICK here.

Mindline is being used as the front door to all mental health services whether covid 19 related or not. It’s a very friendly service where people can talk for up to 30 minutes. We have so far received almost 1,000 calls since the hours were extended.  In addition Mindline connects through to Young Somerset for under 18s (and further specialist support if needed).

A new weekly health and wellbeing slot with Charlie Taylor, every Wednesday evening between 7 and 8pm on BBC Somerset will showcase interesting, unusual and innovative ideas to raise our spirits and keep us entertained during lockdown. This evening's show will feature local Laughter Yoga practitioner, Denise Hodgson. Tune in - it'll be a giggle! It's been great to work with BBC Somerset and the Public Health Team at Somerset County Council to help make this happen! From SPARK Somerset.

Thanks to Robert and Steve's efforts, the latest copy of The Link, for May, is now available. It is ready to download from ' The Link ' page on this web site, or you can download the PDF directly if you CLICK   here. If you know of anyone who would appreciate a copy, but does not have internet access, please print and pass it on to them. (6 pages). If you want to receive email directly, to keep up to date with events and happenings in our Group, please complete the form on the ' Contacts ' page.

The Church of England has just published prayers and liturgy for the present situation. Here is an example: Lord Jesus Christ, you taught us to love our neighbour, and to care for those in need as if we were caring for you. In this time of anxiety, give us strength to comfort the fearful, to tend the sick, and to assure the isolated of our love, and your love, for your name’s sake. Amen. If you want to see more, CLICK here . You can download the whole script in booklet form as a PDF from that page.

Found this in a recent newsletter from Royal Wootton Bassett Methodist Church. Very appropriate to our current situation, and worth reading. It's a PDF file that you can print and pass on if necessary. Click HERE to view or download.

Debt repayments of the poorest countries should be cancelled while the world tackles the coronavirus pandemic, Christian Aid has said. The international development charity has launched a Cancel The Debt campaign calling on the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, to broker a debt relief deal. The call comes ahead of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Spring Meeting this week (17-19 April) to discuss the details of a coronavirus Global Rescue Package. Poor and vulnerable communities in developing countries are less able to cope with the virus, with 40% of the world’s population unable to access soap and water and millions living in crowded and precarious situations. contributed by Rev Rowena Francis To download a printable copy of the full Press Release, click HERE .

Our friends at Christian BSL have produced a prayer for the Coronavirus pandemic. It's in British Sign Language, but has subtitles so hearing folk can follow. We think the words and the sentiment are very appropriate. There is a transcript if you want to print out the words to pass to anyone else. To watch the video click HERE . We suggest you enlarge the video to full screen.

Here is the Easter Day service recorded live at Curry Rivel this morning. Rev Tim Richards leads the virtual congregation, with other church members taking part, all from their own homes. The service includes a virtual Holy Communion. About 20 people took part, from 14 different computers. There are still some problems with any form of congregational singing, and to a lesser extent, responses, but we will overcome those. Click HERE to go to the top level folder where all these virtual services are stored, it contains a collection of folders which are dated (yymmdd). Look inside the relevant folder for the .mp4 file containing the video. There will usually also be a copy of the order of service which can be printed out. The files are large, but will normally stream direct from the internet. The intention is to hold weekly services. If you want to join in the ser...

Wishing all our readers a Happy Easter. Here is an appropriate picture taken a few years ago at Canterbury Cathedral. Enjoy!

If you fall into the category of those who are extremely vulnerable, or if you are self isolating with symptoms of Covid-19, you may be able to get help in the form of a food parcel from the newly opened SSDC Wellbeing Hub in Yeovil. Food parcels contain a standard selection of basic products, usually sufficient to last a week. Shielded people (as identified by the NHS) will get their first food parcel free. Vulnerable people will pay a set fee depending on the size of parcel required.  £26 for a single person, £30 for couples and £52 for families of 4-5 people. This service is non-profit and delivery is free. Residents who are shielding who have NOT received a food parcel from the Government and residents who are assessed as vulnerable can now call 01935 462462 to find out if they are eligible. For more information click HERE . This service only operates...

The URC has put a page on their web site listing the churches around the country that are publishing some form of digital worship through the coronavirus crisis. Churches are listed alphabetically and there are quick links to the resources. The page will be updated regularly, but there is already a considerable amount of material there. Click HERE to go to the page.

The Beatitudes that Are (attributed to J.B.Phillips) What most people think: Happy are the pushers: for they get on in the world. Happy are the hard boiled:for they never let life hurt them. Happy are they who complain: for they get their own way in the end. Happy are the blasé: for they never worry over their sins. Happy are the slave-drivers: for they get results. Happy are the knowledgeable men of the world: for they know their way around. Happy are the trouble-makers: for people have to take notice of them. Jesus Christ said: Happy are those who realise their spiritual poverty: they have already entered the kingdom of reality. Happy are those who bear their share of the world’s pain: in the long run they know more happiness than those who avoid it. Happy are those who accept life and their own limitations: they will find more life than anybody. Happy are those who long to be truly ‘good’: they will fully realise their ambition. Happy are those who are ready to make allowances an...

MHA has produced a flyer with 10 points of how you can support someone living with Dementia through the coronavirus outbreak. Click HERE   to download a copy, and pass it around any of your friends who may be affected.

In the present, fast-changing situation, it's important that we can keep in touch with you easily. Email is the most efficient way of doing this, but we need your permission to hold your details on file and your agreement that we can contact you, by email, text or telephone. Please take a couple of minutes to complete the form on the 'Contact' page of this website to ensure we have up to date information. We will not pass this information on to anyone without your express permission.

Contributed via West Street Church blog ( https://urcmeth.blogspot.com ) by Rev Craig Manley 'You're gonna be OK' by Brian and Jenn Johnson, from their album 'After all these years'. To listen or download click HERE .

The leaders of the Churches in the British Isles have issued a joint statement clarifying their position in the present Coronavirus crisis. A copy of this simple, one page document is available by clicking HERE

If you click HERE you can download a PDF copy of the latest newsletter from South West Synod.

Loving God, In your very being you exist in relationship, living in service and love with yourself, and with us. In reflection of this you call us into community, that in knowing one another, listening to one another, and serving one another, we might encounter you. Through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ When you encountered a hungry crowd, or a family in need of healing, or a group isolated from society, you responded with action, feeding, resurrecting, welcoming. Open our eyes to the needs of those around us, especially as we encounter new challenges. Help us to turn to one another in love, responding in action, in service of your hope. Amen. Jan Murphy - Safeguarding Officer, SW Synod, URC

Words from William Wilberforce - of Abolition of Slavery fame, found inscribed on a stone pillar in the grounds of Canterbury Cathedral a few years ago. 'The day has been delightful. I was out before six and made the fields my oratory, the sun shining as bright and warm as at midsummer. I think my own devotions become more fervent when offered in this way, amidst the general chorus with which all nature seems, on such a morning, to be swelling the song of praise and thanksgiving.' William Wilberforce