“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
This page features updates from the Church of England and our bishops for churches and church-run groups in relation to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
The other pages in the section are:
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Preparing to open our buildings – guidance on reopening for worship from the Church of England (30 June 2020)
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Prayers and resources – for ministry guidance and inspiration
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Practical matters – concerned with parish finance and administration
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Caring for and securing our church buildings
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Communications resources, including advice on live streaming and zoom
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For schools, children and young people
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Wellbeing and mental health
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On-line training and development – find out what opportunities are available
Throughout these changing times we are sending out a weekly, short Connect e-bulletin to keep people up to date with the latest guidance and resources. Sign up to receive it on our Newsletters page. You can also find all the latest news items related to the Coronavirus in a dedicated Coronavirus Guidance and Updates news section.
Latest guidance from the Government – 29 June 2020
Latest guidance from the Church of England – 30 June 2020
Do visit the ‘Preparing to open our buildings’ area for all the guidance from the Church of England and the diocese or visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance for Churches Church of England web section.
From our bishops – 24 June 2020
We welcome the announcement from the Prime Minister that public worship in our churches can resume again from 4 July, where that is possible locally and subject to physical distancing guidelines. It will bring joy to many but even as we look forward to it, we remember those for whom Covid-19 has brought bereavement, grief, suffering and great hardship. Christians have sought to minister and support, both through practical means and through constant prayer, all those in need while our church buildings have been closed. Reopening our churches for services will mean bereaved families will be able to plan the memorial services they so desperately need in order to help them grieve, and those who wish to celebrate their marriages will once again be able to do so, in smaller numbers. As the Church, we grieve with them and we rejoice with them.
This guidance is permissive and not prescriptive, which means churches do not have to return immediately to holding services from 4 July, and there will be some churches who are not able to do so yet. We are expecting guidance from the government and the Church of England on how churches should follow physical distancing, as well as address concerns like singing, in the next few days. This will be published as soon as possible.
As we move towards being able to come together again, we thank God for the decline of the virus in this country, and we pray for all those who have died, those who are grieving, and those who are still caring for the sick. We pray for those parts of the world where people are still falling sick in great numbers.
Thank you to all those who have ensured that despite closed doors, the Church has reached further and deeper, through online worship and through practical action, than we can remember.