FROM THE AREA DEAN

Leaves on the trees are turning colour, evenings are colder and supermarkets already have mince pies on their shelves. 170 days ago when we entered serious lockdown, Spring was in full swing and in a noise-free, pollution-less world it was possible to hear birdsong. Then came lockdown let-out, summer heat, stay- or go-vacations, travel corridors and a return to school. Which of us, in our wildest imaginings, would have predicted such a year. So many lives totally changed, so much future uncertainty for many, so complex the future scenarios ahead of us. There is an enormous amount on which to reflect, many lessons to be learnt, many good changes to take into the future.

One of the changes this month is that this article is coming from me, David Isaac, Area Dean for the churches in this patch of Portsmouth Diocese.  While it is a great pleasure for me to be your guest contributor, it’s no pleasure for any of us that Fr David Morgan is unwell at the moment.  Happily I can report to you that he is well on the road to recovery. I am very grateful for all the supportive work of your churchwardens as we look forward to Fr David’s return.

Forward planning is, at the moment, having to happen in a very different timescale. We’ve already had to recognise that many of our annual events have been laid aside this year; concerts, family picnics, music festivals, exhibitions, and even traditional summer fetes. More changes lie ahead of us as the year proceeds.  Harvest festivals will take on a different character, as will our yearly Remembrance events.  The official requirements for public gatherings, in churches, community halls and open spaces inevitably mean the introduction of measures designed to provide us all with some protection from the spread of Covid-19. For the time being we’ve adapted the pattern of Sunday services to reflect what can be feasibly provided, in terms of preparation, cleaning and management of space, recognising the additional work all this generates for local volunteers.

So, 112 days to Christmas – and rather fewer by the time you get to read this.  This year none of us can yet predict that far ahead.  Clearly, at the moment, a lot of our usual celebratory occasions are going to be more muted or smaller – and that’s assuming that we haven’t by then had further lockdown restrictions as winter, flu and the continuing pandemic possibly brew up a perfect storm.  Let’s hope not; and let’s be ready if necessary.

Some people have found unexpected bonuses these past months. Working from home has been often demanding, but has also brought many benefits in terms of time, travel and traffic.  Meeting up with family and friends, often with more frequency, has been made possible by the way in which many of us have become Zoom-literate.

As we start this autumn season, let’s give thanks for what we have, not focus too much on what we can’t do, and concentrate on and enjoy the things that we can.

The Revd Canon David Isaac

October 2020