Update: 17 March 2020
After reading and listening to Government advice, and seeing the advice from the Baptist Union we have the following to share with you:
Abingdon Baptist Church, the buildings and 35 Ock Street Cafe will be closed until further notice.
We will be posting prayers, readings and hopefully streaming a talk for you on Sunday mornings. Please keep checking Facebook and the website for more details.
Keep in contact with your Pastoral Care group and please call thsoe who you know might be alone, self isolatin, or in need of some encouragement at this time.
Please join with us praying this prayer that Paul sent to the church in Ephesus:
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
In Him
Steve
Revd. Steve Millard
Update: 16 March 2020
You may well have seen the updated government advice late this afternoon about social contact.
As a result of this, we have with regret taken the decision to postpone both the Annual General Meeting tomorrow and the Quiz evening due to take place on Saturday. As far as the AGM is concerned, please retain your papers, so that you have them when we are able to hold the meeting.
We are not yet making a decision about Sunday morning worship, as there are a couple of possibilities to reflect on, but at present we do not envisage a meeting together for the time being. We will make a decision known as soon as possible via the church website and Facebook page. Please check regularly on www.abingdonbaptist.org.uk and follow the link to Coronavirus information or on Facebook put Abingdon Baptist Church in the search bar.
At this time of National uncertainty we want to be a people of hope and of prayer, supporting each other and those around us in our communities.
If you have any concerns please get in touch with your Pastoral friend to start with, if you are unsure who that is or they cannot be contacted then please email Steve (minister@abingdonbaptist.org.uk).
We will be in touch about plans for Sunday services, but at present we do not envisage a meeting together for the time being.
Yours in Christ
Steve (Minister
Ian (Church Secretary)
During the coronavirus outbreak, until we are told otherwise by local or national government, Abingdon Baptist Church will remain open for services as usual. However, if you are feeling unwell, our advice is that you do not attend church. Please also be mindful of the following guidelines, while attending church and also in general:
- Regularly wash your hands with soap and warm water, for at least 20 seconds, several times per day
- When coughing or sneezing, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your sleeve, not your hands. Place the tissue in the bin immediately and wash your hands as soon as possible
- Those who have recently traveled back from a high risk area, as defined by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, should self isolate for 14 days, as per government guidelines. If you do have to self isolate, please let us know so that the appropriate pastoral can be offered during this time
We will continue to share communion twice a month, but for the foreseeable future we shall be taking sensible precautions. Wine shall continue to be served in individual glasses, but bread will be pre-cut to avoid it passing through multiple hands.
Please join us in continuing to pray for those affected by this virus around the world, especially the families of those who have passed away.
As soon as we are notified of any changes, we will communicate this by updating this page and our Facebook page.
–Steve
Revd. Steve Millard
Minister