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Archbishops of Canterbury and York urging the nation to pray every evening from February 1st

Dear friends
As we reach the terrible milestone of 100,000 deaths from Covid-19, we invite everyone in our nation to pause as we reflect on the enormity of this pandemic.
100,000 isn’t just an abstract figure. Each number is a person: someone we loved and someone who loved us. We also believe that each of these people was known to God and cherished by God.

We write to you then in consolation, but also in encouragement, and ultimately in the hope of Jesus Christ. The God who comes to us in Jesus knew grief and suffering himself. On the cross, Jesus shares the weight of our sadness.

We therefore encourage everyone who is feeling scared, or lost or isolated to cast their fears on God. We also know that poorer communities, minority ethnic communities and those living with disabilities have been afflicted disproportionately and cry out for the healing of these inequalities. During this pandemic, we encourage everyone to do all they can to live within the guidelines and constraints given by government following the advice of the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Adviser. We show our commitment, care and love for one another by ensuring we do everything we can to stop the virus spreading.

None of this is easy. Very many of us are experiencing isolation, loneliness, anxiety and despondency like never before. Many people have lost their livelihoods. Our economy struggles. Also, the necessary restrictions we live with have also prevented us from being alongside loved ones as they died, or even at their graveside. All grief profoundly affects us, but this pandemic grief is so hard.

Therefore, we need to support each other. We do this by following the guidelines. But we also do it by reaching out to each other with care and kindness.

One thing we can all do is pray. We hope it is some consolation to know that the church prays for the life of our nation every day. Whether you’re someone of faith, or not, we invite you to call on God in prayer. Starting on 1 February we invite you to set aside time every evening to pray, particularly at 6pm each day. More than ever, this is a time when we need to love each other. Prayer is an expression of love. A number of resources will be made available on our website.

Finally, we write of hope. We are grateful for the hope we have because of the service of our NHS and social care staff. What a blessing and lifeline for our nation. We are grateful for the service given in local communities by clergy, other frontline workers and so many good neighbours. We are grateful for the hope of the vaccine. It is a testimony to the God-given wisdom and gifts of scientists and researchers. We urge everyone to take the vaccine as soon as it is offered to you.

Most of all, we have hope because God raised Jesus from the dead. This is the Christian hope that we will be celebrating at Easter. We live in the hope that we will share in his resurrection. Death doesn’t have the last word. In God’s kingdom, every tear will be wiped away.

Please be assured of our prayers. Please join us.

After a long wait, the refurbishment of our church building, in accordance with our Fit for the Future programme, has begun.

The slowly rotting and decaying wooden floors will be replaced with an entirely new concrete floor which will incorporate a new under floor heating system. This will replace the very elderly boilers and radiators which are well past their best and ensure we provide a much warmer, energy efficient building. The work to the floor is necessary and brings with it the necessity to remove the pews and choir stalls. The proposals also include the replacement of the sound system with an up to date audio-visual system incorporating all the very latest technology. The work is scheduled to be completed by June, during which time we will be meeting for our services in the church hall.

We apologise to you all in advance for any inconvenience which may be caused whilst the work is being undertaken. However when this has been completed we will be handing down to our successors a building of which we can be as proud as our Victorian predecessors were proud of the new church consecrated in 1893 and which is loved by us all. We have an obligation not only to ourselves but also to those Christians who follow Jesus in our footsteps.

Your giving matters more than ever.

The present Coronavirus pandemic is having a serious effect on the financial position and vision at St Thomas’s and St Luke’s.  Our church is dependent on the your  generosity never more  so than now. We are doing everything we can to offer help to those who need it through our through our support of the asylum seekers and the  ACT Foodbank and at the same time continuing to provide all of the  functions of an active parish church.

As a part of the Deanery of Church Wigan, we have a commitment to meet our portion of the parish share as well as meeting the regular expenses of a large parish. In addition to one off donations  we do need to take the opportunity to renew our giving.  Each of us can ask the Lord how we can give financially as part of St Thomas’s and St Luke’s.  This may be the opportunity to begin a regular pattern of giving,  or to review and increase the amount we can contribute to the life and work of our church. We need your support so that we can  continue with our work here in the community of Ashton in Makerfield.

Everything we do at St Thomas and St Luke is made possible by your giving, Thank You.

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