Ashampstead

Church Notices

Dear Friends

It is with great sadness that I have realised we are starting Holy Week today (Palm Sunday) and that we won’t be able to meet either for our Reflections during Holy Week or services during the Paschal Triduum this year.  It is such an important event in the Church calendar.  We had services planned right round the Benefice and I was particularly looking forward to celebrating Holy Communion on Easter Sunday with you all.  I had even bought 2 kilos of mini foil-wrapped eggs to celebrate Easter with you (they are still in sealed bags untouched by human hands!)

However what I thought might help us during the coming week is a little booklet which one of my fellow curates-in-training has produced.  I think it is a way for us to be together in prayer, if not in actual physical presence. Click on Church then Easter where you can scroll through the days of Holy Week.

The picture to the right is of a mini-garden created by Monty and India Barton especially for Easter and sits by our church door.

With love and prayers to you all, Katy

Reverend Katy Weston

Curate: Benefice of Basildon, Aldworth & Ashampstead

07765 255569

westonkaty@hotmail.com

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Over the last few weeks our parish church has had to make changes in the light of the coronavirus pandemic.  So we want to let you know what steps we have taken to date to meet the situation.

1. We have stopped holding services in the church or outside in line with Government restrictions.  The church is sadly now locked.

2. The three parish churches of Basildon, Aldworth and Ashampstead have drawn up a continuity plan, together with our Area Dean, to ensure the continued mission and ministry of all three churches.

3. Should you want to speak to a member of the Ministry Team for any reason, do ring either Revd Katy Weston (07765 255569), Jonathan or Rosemary Sandbach (01491 672494) or Mike Penny (01491 671357).  They are always there to help.

4. Unfortunately because of the virus restrictions, we have had to postpone the interviews for a new vicar; however the vicarage in Upper Basildon is being redecorated so that it is ready and waiting!

5. Because all meetings and gatherings are prohibited, we shall have to put off until some future date, the Annual Parish Church  Meeting we had scheduled for 28th April.

Caroline Butler and Sally Hardaker (Churchwardens)