Update from the churches of the Glaven Valley Benefice

for September 2020

Dear all,

The fact that this month we’re producing a hard-copy version of the GVN for the first time for several months has caused me to reflect a bit on the idea of the “real” and the “virtual”.

It’s been a tremendous help (and a huge convenience) to have the GVN online during this period, and continuing online too.  Thanks again to the team who’ve made that possible!  But of course those without the internet will also be glad to see the return of the physical version.  Similarly Zoom, FaceTime, Skype and all of those facilities have been a massive help in keeping people in touch since the lockdown, and enabling us to see colleagues and loved ones (even if only their image on screen).  But virtual interaction is not the same as an actual handshake or hug – making real, physical  contact with other people.  Human touch is something else.  And to be theological for a moment, that’s what’s crucial about the Christian story.  It wasn’t enough for God to be just abstract or virtual; he had to become more “real” and physical for us, by coming and actually sharing our human life, and transforming it.  With all respect to Coca-Cola – God is “The Real Thing” on another level!

Anyway, we’re enjoying the best of both worlds at the moment in church.  We’re now able to meet in our larger church buildings at least (where social distancing is possible – real but not touching!), but we’re still broadcasting the morning service live online, as we will continue to do for the foreseeable future (and probably the not foreseeable as well!). 

And for the moment, we’re continuing with the following service pattern:

Blakeney – 11.00am every Sunday

“Benefice Communion Service” (also streamed live via Zoom for any not able to attend).  The invitation to join us online, with the relevant Zoom link for each week, can be found on the website (see below).

Wiveton – 6.00pm on the second Sunday of the month

“Service of Contemplation” (13^th September), following the pattern of the established monthly Service of Reflection – silence, prayer, candles, stillness.

Cley – 6.00pm on the fourth Sunday of the month

“Sacred Space” (27^th September) – a service of themed music, reflections, poems, prayers.

In addition to the actual services, one of our churches is open for private prayer on each day of the week – from 2.00-5.00pm.  It’s very good news that Letheringsett Church has now been able to open up too and be part of that rota.

So the updated pattern for this is:

Mon – Glandford

Tue – Wiveton

Wed – Blakeney

Thur – Cley

Fri – Glandford 

Sat – Letheringsett

Our benefice website address is:  www.glavenvalleychurches.org.uk where you’ll find more details and information about our churches, and what’s available both generally and at the moment. 

If you’d prefer, please contact me on [email protected]  or by phone on 740686.

We’d love to have all our churches open all the time, but we’ll have to wait for that. 

In the meantime, whether you’re a resident or a visitor, you are very welcome to join us whenever you can.  On behalf of everyone in our churches, this comes with very best wishes.

Happy September!

Richard.