Today we had our Annual General Meeting for the financial year 1st October 2019 until 30th September 2020, a period that was quite unlike any other because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Government restrictions closed places of worship in March 2020 and from 22nd March until 2nd August 2020, the only services we held were online, using Zoom and Facebook live technology. In-person worship resumed here on 2nd August 2020, with livestreaming of services continuing, but Government restrictions (which are still in place) have greatly affected the format of church services. Social distancing and the wearing of face coverings as well as restrictions on sung worship have meant that services look and sound very different to previously, a situation that is far from satisfying.
Nonetheless, we are grateful for all the different ways we kept in touch with people, and even though our services in Cherry Tree Court and our youth club and Parent & Toddler group closed (and are yet to resume), we have kept in touch with people in different ways throughout this period. We are grateful too for people’s ongoing financial support of the church and our ministries, and we have been able to continue with community outreach through craft packs here and supporting Amshika, Innocent and Bedline abroad and also supporting the ministries of Fredrick and Reeba in Bangalore, India.
Building maintenance continued throughout the year, with the Worship Room, corridor, vestry and toilets being redecorated and a new front door fitted.
As restrictions ease, we are looking to re-opening community groups soon and are pleased to appoint J-P and Herlen Schreuder as deacons, part of our church leadership team. We are grateful for a donation from Countryside Properties (a building company working in Goldthorpe) which will enable us to continue to develop community work, and we are looking forward to our first ‘Churches Together’ in-person event since March 2020 when we hold a Pentecost Trail on the Railway Embankment site on Wednesday 2nd June (and plant trees there.) Above all, we look to God to continue to guide us and lead us forward as we seek His face to be with Him on the community and for Him in the community.
