All of us are no doubt aware of the gravity of the situation that faces this country due to the coronavirus COVID-19 epidemic. It is essential that everyone observes the government guidance to stay at home and only leave to exercise, make essential journeys to work, buy food or obtain medicines. If the spread of the virus is not controlled there is a risk that the NHS will be overwhelmed by the number of patients needing treatment.
All our churches are now closed; weddings and baptisms have been postponed. Funerals will continue to take place but at the graveside or in crematoriums with a very strict limit on the number allowed to be present. This will be very difficult for many people, and the Church of England has suggested that memorial services may be held when restrictions have been lifted.
The Archbishops and Bishops have written, “Let us continue to pray, to love, to care for the vulnerable, and build our communities, even while separated.” Together with the other members of the clergy and lay ministers I will continue to say prayers on behalf of everyone. A booklet ‘Worship at Home’ is available and a weekly newsletter is being produced. Both will be on the parish websites and we can send them by email if you provide us with your address. If any members of our congregations or community develop the virus and need to self-isolate, please let me or one of the other members of the clergy know so that we can keep in touch by telephone and, if necessary, arrange for food or medicines to be brought to them.
At a time like this the internet is going to become a lifeline for many people, to enable working at home, shopping, ordering medicines and keeping children occupied and schooled. Although we have our feet on the ground at local level, the Church of England is encouraging us to go online and stream services and reflections. There are a host of websites offering a plethora of religious content; the Church of England has a Time to Pray app and one with reflections on Lent, #LiveLent: Care for God’s creation. There are the regular programmes on the radio, such as the BBC’s Thought for the Day and Daily Service, all of which are available on the BBC website.
The months to come are going to be very different for everyone, and particularly for Christians of every denomination who have traditionally been sustained by the fellowship they encounter within church buildings and church events. The Bishops have told us that we must still be Church, but not in the same way. What we can be sure of is the God we meet in church and throughout the week has not changed, and we need more than ever to demonstrate his love in how we care for and support one another, particularly those who are most vulnerable in our society.
All our churches are now closed; weddings and baptisms have been postponed. Funerals will continue to take place but at the graveside or in crematoriums with a very strict limit on the number allowed to be present. This will be very difficult for many people, and the Church of England has suggested that memorial services may be held when restrictions have been lifted.
The Archbishops and Bishops have written, “Let us continue to pray, to love, to care for the vulnerable, and build our communities, even while separated.” Together with the other members of the clergy and lay ministers I will continue to say prayers on behalf of everyone. A booklet ‘Worship at Home’ is available and a weekly newsletter is being produced. Both will be on the parish websites and we can send them by email if you provide us with your address. If any members of our congregations or community develop the virus and need to self-isolate, please let me or one of the other members of the clergy know so that we can keep in touch by telephone and, if necessary, arrange for food or medicines to be brought to them.
At a time like this the internet is going to become a lifeline for many people, to enable working at home, shopping, ordering medicines and keeping children occupied and schooled. Although we have our feet on the ground at local level, the Church of England is encouraging us to go online and stream services and reflections. There are a host of websites offering a plethora of religious content; the Church of England has a Time to Pray app and one with reflections on Lent, #LiveLent: Care for God’s creation. There are the regular programmes on the radio, such as the BBC’s Thought for the Day and Daily Service, all of which are available on the BBC website.
The months to come are going to be very different for everyone, and particularly for Christians of every denomination who have traditionally been sustained by the fellowship they encounter within church buildings and church events. The Bishops have told us that we must still be Church, but not in the same way. What we can be sure of is the God we meet in church and throughout the week has not changed, and we need more than ever to demonstrate his love in how we care for and support one another, particularly those who are most vulnerable in our society.