Sunday 7th June | Pentecost Sunday
Dear All Saints Family,
Thank you for reading to the end of this email where you will find information regarding this Sunday’s Worship Service Video, the Women’s ministry “Walk and Meditation”, this week’s edition of Contact Online, and the new Online Alpha Course. May I especially draw your attention to the news regarding the reopening of All Saints in July.
This Sunday
You are so welcome to join us for worship online this Sunday. This week, our speaker is Emily Plank, and our worship songs are led by Anne-Marie Van Eeden (recorded live at All Saints). Keep a look out for a rap written and produced by Jonny, Kevin, Calen and Reuben. There is also a special interview with Paul of Alpha Course fame.
Women’s Ministry | Walk and Meditation | 13th June
Looking forward to getting back together again!? We will meet (weather permitting) at 9h40 in the park by Saint Saphorin train station on Saturday 13th June. We envisage being back by 11h. If its raining, we could postpone to the following Saturday 20th.
There is a train from Vevey which gets in at 9h40, but it is also easy to park on the main road nearby with a blue disk for free. Do come along, bring your own water and a flask of tea or coffee if you like. If possible, we’d like to know who is coming so we can ensure safety by social distancing.
Contact Online
You can catch up with this week’s edition of Contact Online (here) which features an interview with Ernest and Monika, who are on staff at YWAM. Previous editions are available on our Church Website.
Online Alpha Course | Alpha Bitesize
A new Alpha Course is starting within the next few weeks. Here’s what you need to know. It’s online. It’s at lunchtimes. It’s happening two times a week, TBC. Each session is 60 minutes long. It’s limited to 12 people. To register contact Mark Jones, admin@allsaints.ch.
Towards Reopening
Since the beginning of June, here along the Riviera, we have been moving out of lockdown at quite a pace. Our children and teens are back at school, some of us are back in the office, and even those of us who are most vulnerable have been venturing out. So, what about church?
At its meeting at the end of May, Council discussed the reopening All Saints for public acts of worship and I want to bring you up to date with our thinking.
We are naturally keen to start meeting. When we do, we want to ensure we do this in a safe way that makes everyone feel comfortable and complies with current Federal guidelines. In view of this, we will open All Saints for public worship from early July, beginning with one service. We will provide more details and specific date over the next few weeks.
Why wait until early July?
Firstly, churches throughout Switzerland are subject to strict guidelines from the Federal Government, which we must observe. Giving ourselves this additional time allows us to prepare well and ensure we are able to respect the Governments guidelines.
Secondly, we recognise that not everyone will wish to return to church and so we wish to ensure that we are able to provide online resources throughout the summer. Provision of online resources is time consuming but very worthwhile. We are considering the best approach to this, including the possibility of live streaming.
Thirdly, the wellbeing of our church family, and indeed the wider community, is our priority and thus the additional time between now and the beginning of July, will allow us to see what impact the recent lifting of restrictions is having.
In the meantime, we are going to open the Church for private prayer from next week. This will take place on Tuesday morning (09h30 – 11h30) and Friday afternoon (14h30- 16h30). Please note that social distancing and hygiene regulations will be observed. In addition, an informal programme specifically for our teens will begin from next weekend (Friday 12th June).
Online resources will continue to be available throughout the month of June.
Here’s a thought. Some members of our Church are beginning to gather in small numbers to worship together on Sundays using the online resources. Perhaps this is something you would also consider going forward, bearing in mind good hygiene and social distancing of course.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me or the Church Wardens directly. We continue to cherish your prayers as we seek to make wise decisions navigating our way into this new normal.
In Him,
Clive
Women’s Ministry | Walk and Meditation | 13th June
Looking forward to getting back together again! We will meet (weather permitting) at 9h40 in the park by Saint Saphorin train station on Saturday 13th June. We envisage being back by 11h. If its raining we could postpone to the following Saturday 20th.
There is a train from Vevey which gets in at 9h40, but it is also easy to park on the main road nearby with a blue disk for free. Do come along, bring your own water and a flask of tea or coffee if you like. If possible, we’d like to know who is coming so we can ensure safety by social distancing.
Contact Online
You can catch up with this week’s edition of Contact Online (here) which features an interview with Ernest and Monika. Previous editions are available on our Church Website.
Online Alpha Course | Alpha Bitesize
A new Alpha Course is starting within the next few weeks. Here’s what you need to know. It’s online. It’s at lunchtimes. It’s happening two times a week, TBC. Each session is 60 minutes long. It’s limited to 12 people. To register contact Mark Jones, admin@allsaints.ch.
Youth News
Core Junior: what is it about waiting that we absolutely do not like? What does it mean to have access to the love of God? Looking at Luke . 10h30 on Zoom!
Core Senior: NOT HAPPENING (whoops): for 14s and up, see Youth Alpha (noun: a time for discovery, dialogue and depth, looking at the Bible this week, 18h, Zoomland)
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS: KidsGames Riviera 2020 is on the move, and we’re looking for young people to:
-lead small groups of primary schoolers from game to game
-run games and activities
-play music
-help with crafts
August 9- 14: for more, see Calen allsaintsyouthvevey@gmail.com .
Giving
A question has arisen regarding giving, particularly for those of us who give primarily during the Offering at our Sunday services. With details available on the church website, you can make a donation at any time.
More church news can be found here.
Rev. Canon Clive Atkinson
All Saints’ Church
Avenue de la Prairie, 40
1800 Vevey
Office tel: +41 (0) 21 922 94 57
Office hours: 08h30 to 12h30 Mondays
12h00 to 16h00 Tuesdays
08h30 to 12h30 Fridays
WEB: http://www.allsaints.ch