September is here and with it the prospect of schools and colleges starting the new school year. Actually, September has always felt to me like the beginning of a new year. So much usually restarts in this month - including this blog after a summer break! We've seen in the past few weeks many things restarting as the Government tries to get life going again, at this stage of the pandemic. But it still feels so different, we are certainly not back to normal.

Nearly four months on from when we launched this blog, I am signing off for a temporary blog-break. As we went into the lockdown in March we upgraded our website in anticipation of the need for online ministry, Since then, it has been vital to the church's life and ministry while our building has been closed, and the blog a small part of that continuing voice. I suppose I could look at it as a sort of diary of observations, lessons and information from these difficult times...

We are thankful that we were able to re-open our building last Sunday and meet together for the morning service. We are following official guidelines, as can be read elsewhere on the website, and endeavouring to make it both safe and welcoming for everyone who comes. Initially, we shall only be holding the Sunday morning service at the chapel. For the time-being, we are also livestreaming the morning service and details of how to join are available on request. Other meetings will remain either suspended or online.

There's been a lot going on behind the scenes to get us ready to reopen our building for meetings. I am glad to say that we are ready for the morning service this Sunday, 12th July. Details are posted on the website, including information about how we are following the COVID-19 guidelines...

A BBC news correspondent was interviewed this morning, live on air, while having his hair cut for the first time since lockdown. Being the fourth of July, he called it 'trimdependence day'. I smiled. A lot is being made of today, marking the start of the biggest set of changes so far to relax the lockdown measures. There seems to be both a collective sigh of relief and a sharp intake of breath at the same time, a sort of national circular breathing like bagpipe players have to master - in and out at the same time. We are relieved and concerned at the same time.