Dear Siblings in Christ,
Did you read yesterday’s (Tuesday) ‘thought for the day’ from Rev. Derek Grimshaw as he encouraged us not to wallow in self-pity but to embrace the opportunity given to us. What are we going to do with this gift of time and space?
If you, or anyone else is in need of some mental health support, the Methodist connexion has put together this set of Mental Health resources.
A note from LindaR for Landseer Road members: Hope all the members of Tuesday Friendship Group are keeping well – just to remind everyone that we have earmarked Tues. Aug. 11th. for our annual trip to The Hut at Felixstowe for fish and chips etc. Something to focus on and look forward to – hopefully we may be functioning as normal by then. Look after yourselves – stay safe.
Some local news that might be helpful:
- Bourne Garden Centre on Wherstead Road Ipswich sent out this message today: We have had a large delivery of vegetable plants (that are perishable) and seeds in today. We have closed the garden centre and are now operating a home delivery service. We will take payments over the phone and then drop items in front of house with no contact. If you would like a delivery please call 01473 691567.. Note: They are inundated with calls, so expect it to be difficult to get through.
- Did you know that some of the supermarkets now have a dedicated shopping hour for those at higher risk? It is a little hard to find the information. Sainsbury’s say that elderly customers, carers and disabled customers have priority Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Tesco is also Monday, Wednesday, Friday between 9 am to 10 am but not Tesco Express. I believe the Co-Op does too, but I could not find the days or times.
- In my Joan’s Jottings for March 19th, I mentioned Foskers Fresh. A member has tried them out and was very pleased with the service; she says that they were helpful, delivered on time, nice produce and good value for money. Based at Valley Farm, Bucklesham Rd, they are offering a next-day home delivery service within a 10-mile radius and are taking orders via phone on 01473 659015 from 9 am to 2 pm..
In case you are getting tired of singing Happy Birthday as you wash your hands, here’s a link to the Episcopal Diocese of Newark’s official handwashing doxology timer. I hope that put a smile on your face!
The day will come when we can gather again. Until then, we wait. And in the meantime, we breathe, we pause, we pray, and we take this opportunity for all it has to offer us.
Remember, God loves you, and so do we. As the apostle Paul says: For I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love: neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future, neither the world above nor the world below—there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
I am keeping you in my prayers. May God’s peace be with you all,
In Christ
–Pastor Joan
Joan’s Jottings are written to the churches at Museum Street, Landseer Road and Chantry where Joan is the minister, and shared here for all to read.