Radio Northampton Carols on the Doorstep http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p086t513

Premier Radio Carols on the Doorstep http://www.carolsonthedoorstep.co.uk

Dear All, 

We regret that in the light the Governments announcement on 19th Dec, we have cancelled the planned physical gathering of church on Sunday 20^th and Friday 25^th December and the carol singing on Thursday 24^th.  Services on 20^th and 25^th will be broadcast online via Facebook Live, although possibly in a shortened form from what was planned.

We are sorry this further curtails Christmas 2020, but out of care for each other we should not increase the risks this virus brings. We can stay in touch via telephone and social media and I would encourage you to do so, especially contacting those you know who are (or are likely to be) isolated.

So this year please can you send me (a photo of yourself and) and/or a Christmas message (please keep it short) to our Church fellowship which I will share on Christmas day online Service as a PowerPoint presentation. 

Please send it to me: jane@thewadetribe.co.uk

Deadline for greetings is 22nd December Thank you.

The Christ-child still  comes to those who seek Him – this Christmas we may have to find a different way to experience Him and respond.  May the Lord continue to bless you with grace and peace. 

Have a happy and blessed Christmas love Jane x

Due to recent government restrictions, The Contact Centre is CLOSED

Sunday worship – until further notice our services will be live each from Facebook – you can also catch up with previous recordings.

You can still access our service on FaceBook livestream. These can be accessed by tapping picture below

We have been closely monitoring the outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and, following advice from Public Health England

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england

and the URC  https://urc.org.uk/news/3365-urc-issues-coronavirus-advice-to-its-churches

We are taking appropriate steps to ensure we keep our congregations and staff team as safe as possible.

As the Government continues to review the lockdown situation, current guidelines can be found on the BBC website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51506729

We continue to closely monitor updates from Public Health England in relation to our services and events.

For those people still coming into the building to facilitate the meal delivery service we are providing, these are some of the steps we are taking at AAURC to help prevent the spread of infection:

* We are asking everyone to wash their hands as they enter the building.

* We ask everyone to refrain from handshakes and hugs.

* We are asking all staff and volunteers who are feeling unwell to stay away until fully recovered.

Pastoral issues

We would like to encourage all of us who are able to take positive steps to care for others (especially those who are vulnerable, ill or particularly isolated), to consider neighbours, colleagues and friends and also to take steps to look after ourselves! Even in isolation, we can help by phoning others we know who may be shut in, so that no-one is left feeling isolated. Please contact your Elder – they are always happy to chat and pray with you.

If you have no-one who is able to shop for you or collect prescriptions etc., please let the office know and we will try to arrange for someone to help you.

Let us be prompted to pray at this time. Let’s choose faith not fear and be especially mindful of others!

We will stay in contact.

Revd Jane Wade

Church Secretary’s pastoral letter – November 2020

Dear Friends

So, another lockdown – except that for many the previous one has never really finished because there was no return to “normal life”.

In response to the Government’s announcements the Elders met on Monday 2nd November and have resolved that the Abington Avenue Church buildings should close, except for:

• Funerals
• Meals production for those in need (if there are sufficient volunteers)
• Child Contact Centre (if there are sufficient volunteers)
• Essential maintenance
• Office administration (mornings only) to support Revd  Jane Wade and facilitate communication with the church members and wider church family
• Revd Jane Wade’s access to office and other resources

What will continue is:

• Broadcast Sunday services – reverting to the previous pattern from the Manse
• Pastoral care for the church family through Elders, home groups and everyone’s own friendship groups
• If you want to ask for assistance or contact, please contact the Office if you are not sure who to call

A little while ago we considered our places of ministry and witness as our “frontline”. Our opportunity may have shrunk again, but we still have “frontlines”, and God calls us to work and witness there – it’s just that they may be over the internet or with people around us who we did not know well before but have become our neighbours (see Luke 10 v.36).

How shall we live in these strange and disturbing times? As Ephesians directs; as children of light (Eph. 5 v.8). And God is not in lockdown! – He is with us and can be seen through us.

May God bless you with His grace and peace

Vaughan Griffiths

Welcome to Abington Avenue URC

Our Mission Statement:

‘To celebrate God’s love together, to grow in Christ and to serve our neighbour’

Hi, welcome to Abington Avenue URC (AAURC), we are a Christian community of faith, that welcomes people of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities, drawn together by Jesus Christ to worship, proclaim and serve God. We seek to be Church that honours God in all we do. Enabled by his Spirit we seek to explore, discover and act upon what it means to be His people today.

Our heart is for compassion and justice for all; we aim to help everyone (at whatever stage in their journey with God) to have a closer and deeper relationship with Him through developing their discipleship; we strive to foster a sense of belonging, peace, unity and harmony within the diversity of who we are as the Body of Christ and deepen the fellowship and commitment of Church members to one another.

We are passionate about worshipping God aiming to connect the congregation through authentic, sincere, relevant worship services of a good quality.

We are eager in our desire of helping others discover the joy of new life through a relationship with Jesus Christ. As a Church community we believe the good news of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus is for all who turn to him in repentance and faith. Whether you are young or old we believe a full life is to be found through Him.

We’d love to welcome you to one of our Sunday services, one of growth groups (that meet regularly during the year) or to any of our activities and groups. If you have questions and are searching, we hope you will feel AAURC is a place that can encourage you on your journey.

With Every Blessing,

Jane Wade (Minister) 

Please take a look around our website to get to know us and see whats going on