Last month, I hoped for a quieter time; I should have known better! During September, I have conducted two Zoom services: one for Belper, and one for Kendal; such services are rather different from live church-services; they are shorter, for a start, and too much "talking at people" leads to a lack of concentration, after a while, which means that the "talk" needs to be separated by other worship-elements. I enjoy choosing my music for my services, rather than leaving the choice to a church-organist or pulpit-supply secretary; I can select music which highlights my theme, which is an advantage; at Belper, for example, in a service about Memories, I played the Bob Hope/Shirley Ross rendition of "Thanks for the memory"---a bittersweet song of reminiscences which recall the fabric of a life shared. You'll find it on You Tube. 

I was recently asked, in a way that presupposed the answer, whether I had been very busy; when I replied that I had been, this brought forth expressions of great surprise. I explained that I had various duties at Bury, with the Lancashire Collaborative Ministry, and with the Presidential Team. I keep in regular touch with Celia and Sue, and the messages that pass between us vary from the profound to the trivial! Recently, the password on our special account expired, as it does regularly, about once every two months; at that point, we have to contact Essex Hall, to request a new one; of course, we can never remember the new password; mine is written down, in several places, but always manages to be lost when I need it! Such is life! 

This month, I have spent a great deal of time reorganising October; I could see, beforehand, that it was going to be a heavy month, with 10 engagements altogether, and I thought it best to begin to plan well in advance. But what should I plan? Were engagements going to be cancelled outright, transferred to Zoom, or actually be held? Services would be different, depending on whether they were actual or virtual. In the end, nearly everything will be virtual, but negotiations have been lengthy and time-consuming---and are still unfinished.

Roger and I attended the September service at Ainsworth, and enjoyed it very much; we are back there, in October, when I conduct their Harvest Festival for them. We participate in Zoom services, on most Sundays, and, on September 20th, were delighted to listen to the service at Padiham, conducted by their former minister, Rev. Jim Corrigall. One great advantage of Zoom is that it's easily possible to join other church-services, conducted by different leaders, and, as not all services are held on Sundays, at 11 a.m a greater choice is available.

As mentioned elsewhere, we have been holding actual services, every Sunday afternoon, this month; this, of course has added to Kate's workload, as it has to be taken into account. She is working very hard, on our behalf, to supply various forms of worship, to cater for everybody, and I do thank her most sincerely for all she is doing for us. Ade, too, is being kept busy, supervising the premises and stewarding services; thank you to him, too. The fact the we are able to be open at all is due to several people: those who make the decisions, and those who oversee the practical arrangements; thank you to them, also. In time, we hope to be able to relax some of the more severe restrictions, but a great deal will depend on what the government allows, and the present figures are not encouraging. We must be patient for a while longer, it seems. It has been good to see people at services, throughout September, and I hope that this will continue. Whether or not we have met recently, Roger and I send you our love and warmest greetings; we are trying to keep in touch, as much as possible, and, one day, we will all be able to be together again, I feel sure! Look after yourselves.

We have a range of social, educational and recreational activities and the Church is regularly used by other organisations.

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