Page 2 - Moravian Messenger Nov 2020

Editorial
November always feels like a sad month, the reality of winter coming in hits home and the trees stand in stark form against the cloudy skies, and it is the season when we as a nation solemnly remember together. But this year Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day will be very different, no marches to and from the local memorials, no community wreath laying ceremonies, no large Church services and service from the Royal Albert Hall. Just a two- minute silence in our Churches (online or in physical premises) on the Sunday and a two-minute silence in many places on the 11th. Two minutes to stop and reflect on the sacrifice of so many, of their lives, or their health, the sacrifice of those who lost their loved ones and the sacrifice of so many who gave up the future they had hoped for.
This year we also live in a time when our health and safety now is dependent upon the care and professionalism of those in our public services. So, it would also be right to take time out to reflect on the sacrifice of those on the front line here, particularly in the health services and care sector. They work in such difficult circumstances, caring for the elderly who cannot see their families, caring for those who need medical care and those facing life threatening conditions, trying to plan for public safety and those who work in Covid wards. They too deserve our remembrance respect, and prayers for their wellbeing.
But the other side of remembrance of the sacrifice of our
service men and women is a continuing commitment to work for peace. We can't look back to the past without also looking forward and striving for a society that honours the work of those who have given their all. We can't just acknowledge the heroic work of our health and social care workers without ourselves seeking to ease the suffering of others. There is a commitment at the end of the Ecumenical Remembrance Day Service, used by many of us that puts it so well:
Let us commit ourselves to responsible living and faithful service. Will you strive for all that makes for peace? We will
Will you seek to heal the wounds of war? We will
Will you work for a just future for all humanity? We will
So, as we look back what will we give and do to help create peace going forward? How will we help to heal wounds and pursue justice for all in our world? How will we work to make a healthier more inclusive society here?
How will we look out beyond our own needs to see the world that God in Jesus is calling us to serve?
These are not intended to be rhetorical questions but challenges for us all, in terms of our praying, our giving, our lifestyles, our work and our time.
Sr Sarah Groves
Editorial Team
Provincial Notice
On behalf of the Provincial Elders' Conference, I am writing to let you know that Br Mark Kernohan has resigned from the Provincial Board with immediate effect. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Br Kernohan for all his hard work over the last year.
You will be aware that we have had to postpone our Synod due to the pandemic, therefore the vacant post will not be filled until March 2021 at the earliest. As required, the Provincial Board will formally reconstitute in the coming days and we will communicate the changes in division of responsibility.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support and consideration of the Provincial Board as we continue in our duties serving the British Province.
Yours in Christ's Service,
Sr Roberta Hoey
Chair of the Provincial Board
Revised Covid-19 Guidelines for Moravian Churches in the British Province
On 15th October, the Provincial Board reviewed their current guidelines on meeting for Worship and have issued the following guidance, which will be continually monitored:
Due to the growing number of reported Covid-19 positive cases in Northern Ireland, the PEC is asking that all congregations suspend physical worship for four weeks, resuming worship no earlier than 15th November (subject to review if the current situation continues to deteriorate).
England
As England is now in a tiered system of risk, we are advising the following according to Tiers:
Tier 1 (Medium)
Current Church guidance remains in place as well as any additional government guidelines that may be imposed.
Tier 2 (High)
Physical worship can continue under current Church guidance with the following additions:
• Local Congregations committees will review their current measures. If there is uncertainty around observance of the measures, the congregations will temporarily suspend physical worship.
• Any congregations that has more than 50% of their members coming from outside the immediate local community, will suspend physical worship. People are discouraged from using public transport or car sharing.
• If congregations continue to meet, strict observance of social distancing must be enforced. In addition to this, face coverings must be worn on entering the building and not removed for the duration of the service.
Tier 3 (Very High)
• Physical worship should be suspended for at least four weeks and will only resume when the risk level has returned to Tier 2 or below.
Note: Ministers and those attending worship should not be travelling from home into an area that is in a different tier to get to Church.
Northern Ireland
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© Sr Sarah Groves