A month or so ago hopes were widely expressed about the New World there would be after Covid-19: greater concern for neighbours; greater respect for health and social care workers, those who worked in transport or retail; more walking, cycling, less use of cars; home working; greater interest in gardening, growing your own food, knitting, …
Much attention is given in the News at the moment to the unrest in the United States following the death of George Floyd. Deep-seated prejudice and pent-up anger in a country deeply divided over its core values and so much more, has led to widespread protest and violence. On this side of the Atlantic we …
We hear politicians say, ‘We’re following the science’, but then hear other eminent scientists disagreeing with the approach government advisers have recommended. People then become confused, and some become sceptical about ‘scientific advice’. There is an old adage ‘What is a fact? Answer: a working hypothesis not yet capable of being disproved.’ That might be …
It has long been said that a good law does not have to be just, simply clear and easily enforceable. It is a concept that readily applies to lockdown restrictions. Total lockdown may or may not be fair, but at least the rules/guidelines are clear and are easily enforceable. Once they start to be relaxed, …
Sunny weather and permission to travel a bit further and meet more people will be welcomed by most folk. But there are still quite a number of people who cannot take advantage of either: if they are shielded, and don’t have a garden. Many are ‘weary’ of these weeks of lockdown – though they appreciate that it …
Welcome
Hymn 194 This is the day
All-age time
Prayer
Reading Acts 2: 1-21
Reflection
Prayer for others
Hymn 594 Come Holy Spirit come
Blessing
There’s a Wild Goose song that begins “O where are you going, and can I come with you?” It sounds like a good theme song for today, as Lockdown restrictions are slightly eased. The official answer would be something like “Not more than 5 miles away, and provided we are not from more than 2 …
Some people have been furloughed because of the #Covid-19 crisis, some have been made redundant, or were self-employed and are not able to work. Other are working from home. There can be benefits in working at home: no commuting, a more relaxed dress code, less risk of catching other infections such as colds. There can be …
Following on from yesterday’s theme, there are many younger people worried about what their future job prospects are – and more immediately income/cash flow. Many young folk have jobs in the hospitality sector (through the year in take-aways, restaurants etc) and particularly over the summer (hotels etc). It gives them extra cash (especially students) and …
How to restore/ revive/ save the economy is a recurring theme in the News, and a very real issue. We have heard of companies going into administration and employees being laid off, of whole sectors from airlines to tourism to football clubs worried that many businesses will not survive, and of governments seeking to limit …
