The Ascension Clergy House
Pountney Road London
SW11 5TU
Tel: 020 7228 5340
email: icyalh@gmail.com

23rd March 2020

Dear friends

You will have seen on the news last week that the Archbishops issued an instruction that all public worship was to be suspended until further notice. Fr Iain kept the Church open for private prayer last week following official guidance from the Archbishops. However, Yesterday the Archbishops updated their instruction and directed all Church buildings to close their doors to the public with immediate effect. The Government has also supported this position today issuing an instruction that all places of worship must close their doors.

This means for us that the Ascension Church will remain closed for the foreseeable future.

Fr Iain will say Mass privately on Sundays and Solemnities, to offer prayers for you all, especially for the sick, and to commemorate the Year’s Minds of the week.

Sadly, it seems unlikely that this situation will improve by Holy Week, so our

customary liturgies and devotions may have to be suspended then too with the Church remaining closed.

If you would like to talk, or have any needs that Fr Iain can help with, please email or phone Fr Iain using the details above.

We will continue to publish a weekly address from Father Iain along with the Gospel and Readings (further below on this page) each Sunday by 11am. We have also made available resources from The Church Union and The Society to support your private prayer from home.

These are testing times for all of us, but with God’s help and mutual concern we
will move on in due course to happier days.

With constant prayers and love,
The Ascension Lavender Hill