Most years September is the time when things get back to 'normal'. Children and teachers go back to school, the nights begin to draw in, and church and other community activities start again.

This month there will be no return to 'normal'. True, the children and teachers are  back at school. We hope and pray very much that they will be able to continue in school all term. But no one knows whether or not there will be another 'spike' of Covid 19 with all the disruption that may entail. And for the time being our activities in the church building are severely curtailed.

But rather than being pessimistic we can start to make plans for new and creative ways of doing and being church in the weeks and months ahead. We have already started to think what the Harvest Festival might be like at the beginning of October; and how we will commemorate Remembrance Sunday in November. And I'm sure there will be a great outpouring of ideas of new ways of celebrating Christmas.

"Behold, I do a new thing" was God's message to the prophet Isaiah. Let's trust God to guide us in new ways over the coming weeks and months!