The South Wolds Partnership

Coronavirus

Following both government and Church of England statements released on 17 & 23 March 2020, we will be suspending all gatherings including home groups, alpha courses and public worship services at all of our churches within the Southwold's Group.

The Archbishops and Bishops of the Church of England have urged everyone to follow the instructions given by the Prime Minister to stay in their homes in a national effort to limit the transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19). It means all Church of England churches will close with immediate effect in line with the Government's instructions. There will also be no Church weddings or baptisms.

This is a turbulent time for us as both as a nation and individuals. It is our prayer that in the midst of this we will find our hope and strength in Christ and be channels of care and compassion to those around us.

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SAFEGUARDING

Most of the time at church we are like a big happy family.  However, even in very happy families, people can have a bad day and even people we know and trust can upset us.  We want to help everyone have good days all of the time.  We try to make sure that people who have jobs in the church always behave well and in a way that is helpful to you.  We never want anyone or anything in church to frighten you, confuse you or worry you.  It is important that you tell us if something is upsetting you or if you are feeling worried about something that's happening or something somebody is doing.   We have specially trained people who you can talk to and who you can ask for help.  Those people are good at safeguarding.  This means they look after everyone's safety.  Caring for people is a very important part of our Christian life.

The people who can help you are the parish priest or the parish safeguarding office.  You can contact the safeguarding officer, Marilyn Hieatt or Revd Canon Charles Patrick.  If you wish to speak to someone outside the church you can contact the diocesan safeguarding team – their contact details are available here:

https://www.lincoln.anglican.org/safeguarding-overview

There is also information there about other places from where you can get help or advice.

 

 

The South Wolds Partnership is part of the Horncastle Deanery in the Archdeaconry of Lincoln. The Partnership comprises the benefices of the Asterby Group & Hemingby Group plus the Horncastle Group. The Asterby and Hemingby benefices are held in plurality by a Rector, as is the Horncastle Group.

The South Wolds Partnership has been ministering together informally from 2007 and then became a legal grouping during Advent 2010. In September 2014, the grouping was amended so that the Asterby and Hemingby Groups of churches were established as one entity under a rector, whilst the Horncastle Group became a single entity with its own rector.

We have a large ministry team of 33 people consisting of 2 Rectors, a Curate, 4 retired Non Stipendiary Ministers (NSM), 2 Readers and 24 Lay Ministers; we also have a part time Administrator for the Partnership and a part time Verger in St Mary's Church, Horncastle.

Overseeing the 3 group councils, the South Wolds Management Group exists to ensure that both the ministerial and financial needs of the parishes are adequately resourced.