“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:10 – 11)
Dear members of the Dundonald Church family,
You will have noted the government’s decision to place London under Tier 4 restrictions in an effort to reduce the spread of the new mutation of this terrible virus. While worship services are permitted to continue under the new restrictions, for various reason it doesn’t seem wise for us to proceed with the face-to-face services planned for tomorrow and continue to meet when so many will be unable to gather with close family members over Christmas this week. Apart from the health risks themselves, we are aware that our community could consider us reckless and irresponsible to continue meeting under Tier 4. This is especially the case as we had already made plans for these circumstances and can offer live-streamed services at all our normal times.
So on Sunday 20 December, all 4 services (the three daytime Family Carols events, and the evening Carols by Candlelight) will be live-streamed as usual and viewable at dundonald.org/christmas but there will be no face-to-face gatherings.
We know this will be a disappointment for some, especially if guests have agreed to come – though we anticipate many guests being more reluctant now. And God willing, we will have many more opportunities in the coming weeks and months to invite our friends. By God’s grace, our online services are all of an excellent quality and are being widely viewed (last Sunday’s Carols by Candlelight had over 600 views in the first 24 hours!). While we miss meeting face-to-face very much, we do want to demonstrate our care of each other, our families, and community.
For all the misery that this pandemic has brought, we can recognize that in his mercy, God is humbling proud hearts – we are not in control, we don’t know what will happen, and we are much more vulnerable than we thought. Our community is probably more ready to hear the good news of our loving Saviour and living Lord than at any time in our lifetime. So let us pray that God will speak in great power through the technology that he has given us, both to encourage his people, especially those who particularly struggling in this season and to bring unbelievers to saving faith.
With much love in Christ
Richard Coekin
Senior Pastor
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