Evensong at St Stephen's

Dear brothers and sisters

Sadly, we are unable to continue with the current number of evensong services due to a number of factors. We therefore need to reassess our Evensong pattern of services at St. Stephens.

To give a little background:

1. Last week there were three in the congregation. The numbers attending the service have been declining over the months and years.
2. Those who are willing and able to lead the service are also reducing. We have gone from five people who were willing and able to lead down to two - Revd. Gordon Cryer and me. Hopefully Brian Anderson will soon be well enough to re-join the rota, but at this time there are only two of us covering this service.
3. Easter and holiday time will soon be upon us and once again, everyone’s normal routine will come into question.

This coming week – 15^th March there will not be a service of evensong – as previously advertised. Both Darren and I are taking part in the Saltash Civic Service at St. Nicholas. The following week is Mothering Sunday – and again many will be away visiting or being taken out to lunch. It therefore seems unlikely that many, if any, would be available to attend an evening service on that day and I have therefore decided to cancel Evensong on that day.

Due to a continued lack of resources, as outlined above, and the additional Lent and Easter services that will be taking place in our churches, in April we will have one Evensong service on 19^th April.

The on-going pattern of services will then be discussed at the PCC meeting and/or APCM on 26^th April when we can discuss the future of BCP Evensong.

Also for consideration is the fact that I have received a request for an alternative (non BCP) evening service. This too can be discussed and considered.

At the moment, no decision has been taken regarding St. Stephen’s Evensong so please do give it every consideration and please let me have your thoughts – either for continuing as we are (which seems unlikely) or perhaps with a reduction in the number of services per month or looking at a different pattern/style of evening service. Please do pray about it and as I said, please let me have your thoughts.

Yours in Christ

Cathy