Dear Siblings in Christ,
We rejoice with today’s news that in the UK we are past the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak in the general population. At the same time, we hold those in care homes in our prayers as the infections and deaths there continue to rise. We continue to hope and trust in God’s faithfulness and know that nothing can ever separate us from the love of God.
You are never too old to make a difference in the lives of others. Today, with the rest of the country, we celebrated Captain Tom’s 100th Birthday. By his simple action of walking around his garden, he has inspired the nation to raise over £30 million for the NHS Charities Together. His participation in the song “You’ll Never Walk Alone” has made him the oldest person to achieve a UK number one hit the UK music charts. Watch it here (with updated footage). His 100th birthday was marked in a number of ways, including a fly-past by the Royal Air Force. He received over 150,000 cards and was appointed as honorary colonel of the Army Foundation College. And on this website, you will find a great drawing of Captain Tom.
Sunday’s service will be available online here as we continue our series Tales from Peter’s Discipleship Journey and hear about Peter’s Bold & Impulsive response when Jesus invites Peter to walk on the water.
With a little help, Irene Jarrett from Museum Street made a 30-second video message for you all. It’s on the front page of the Museum Street website.
David Howlett from Landseer Road has been emailing Landseer Road friends a weekly letter full of news about his garden and reminiscences. In this week’s letter, he regales us with the tales of his first auto-cycle, which is now in the Ipswich Transport Museum. It is a fascinating tale. David is happy to send his weekly missives to anyone who would like to receive them, so let either David or myself know, so you can be added to his email distribution list.
Did you know how to find our circuit and our three churches and our outreach programs online? Please ‘like’ or even better ‘share’ our Facebook posts; in this time of staying at home, this a proving to be great evangelism tool, and we need your help.
Circuit – Website and FaceBook.
Museum Streeet – Website and FaceBook.
Landseer Road – Facebook and Gainsborough Community Choir and Craft Club.
Chantry – Facebook and Messy Crafts.
For today’s chuckle, how are you with the latest Lockdown Lingo? (Source: Unknown)
Coronacoaster. The ups and downs of your mood during the pandemic. You’re loving lockdown one minute but suddenly weepy with anxiety the next. It truly is “an emotional coronacoaster”.
Quarantinis. Experimental cocktails mixed from whatever random ingredients you have left in the house. The boozy equivalent of a store cupboard supper. Southern Comfort and Ribena quarantini with a glacé cherry garnish, anyone? These are sipped at “locktail hour”.
Coronials. As opposed to millennials, this refers to the future generation of babies conceived or born during coronavirus quarantine. They might also become known as “Generation C”.
Furlough Merlot. Wine consumed in an attempt to relieve the frustration of not working. Also known as “bored-eaux” or “cabernet tedium”.
Coronadose. An overdose of bad news from consuming too much media during a time of crisis. Can result in a “panicdemic”.
Claphazard. Someone so enthusiastic about saluting our care workers that they forget all social distancing guidelines, start hugging their neighbours and high-fiving passing pedestrians.
The elephant in the Zoom. The glaring issue during a videoconferencing call that nobody feels able to mention. E.g. one participant has dramatically put on weight, suddenly sprouted terrible facial hair or has a worryingly messy house visible in the background.
Doughverkill. One’s social media feed being dominated by smug photos of home-made sourdough or banana bread. If making sourdough is so great, how come you’d never done it before March?
Covidiot. One who ignores public health advice or behaves with reckless disregard for the safety of others can be said to display “covidiocy” or be “covidiotic”. Also called a “lockclown”.
Space invader. Someone who routinely comes closer to you than the recommended two metres and who you’d like to zap like in an arcade game.
Goutbreak. The sudden fear that you’ve consumed so much wine, cheese, home-made cake and Easter chocolate in lockdown that your ankles are swelling up like a medieval king’s.
Caught between a shop and a hoard place. The dilemma of needing to purchase basics but not wanting to be accused of stockpiling. I’m not stockpiling, I usually buy this many tins of beans.
Antisocial distancing. Using health precautions as an excuse for snubbing neighbours and generally ignoring people you find irritating.
Quaranteam. The people and/or pets you’re in lockdown with are your “quaranteam”. This era’s equivalent of #squadgoals.
Coughin’ dodger. Someone so alarmed by an innocuous splutter or throat-clear that they back away in terror.
Tandemic. A sun-kissed glow acquired from sitting in one’s garden or (gasp!) flouting the rules on park sunbathing.
Co-runner virus. An infection potentially spread by selfish fitness fanatics taking up an entire path by jogging two abreast.
Covid-10. The 10lbs in weight that we’re all gaining from comfort-eating and comfort-drinking. Also known as “fattening the curve”.
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.