This afternoon the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have issued a further statement following the Government Coronavirus (Covid-19) update yesterday:
Today, the Archbishop of York John Sentamu and I are calling The Church of England to suspend public worship to help stem the spread of coronavirus. We must be a radically different church for now – but one that’s hopeful, prayerful and committed to serving others: This does not mean that we will stop serving you and we are now exploring alternative ways to support you in your spiritual and mental well-being. Once we have an idea of what this will look like we will let you know.
In the short-term this means that there will be no more services, meetings, coffee mornings etc. at the church. We will also be postponing our Lent Lunches. However, please be assured that, as the Archbishops said, we will look for new creative and alternative ways to support your spiritual and mental well-being. We will keep you updated via this website and our social media sites. The link to the full statement from the Archbishops is below.
However, even in fear there is hope. The following is a reflection from Brother Richard of the Capuchin Franciscans.
Lockdown
Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death….
But…
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland
Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
is busy spreading fliers with her number
through the neighbourhood
So that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
So we pray and we remember that…
Yes there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness.
But there does not have to be disease of the soul
Yes there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing.
Psalm 30.5
‘Tears may flow in the night, but joy comes in the morning’
Probus Parish Church 