Lockdown
On the 4th January, the Government announced the latest round of restrictions to try and slow the spread of Coronavirus. But one of the pleasant surprise announcements was that places of worship would be allowed to continue to hold services. Throughout the pandemic we've had support as church leaders from the FIEC, and John Stevens the National Director has had regular engagement on our behalf with Number 10. And it really does seem that Government have listened to the plea of Churches to be allowed to remain open.
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
But, even though we were permitted to keep our doors open, we recognised that infection rates were very high locally in Cheam and Sutton. And although we had in place robust mitigations against the risks, they couldn't rule out completely the possibility of the virus being passed on. And we were aware that there were several individuals with dementia who needed support to get there and who couldn't be expected to keep to social distancing. So holding services was going to be a risk to them and to those who supported them. With a heavy heart, but out of love and care for our church family we took the decision to halt in person attendance.
Key next steps
- We'll be reviewing things at the end of the month to see if and when we might resume services in February.
- We'll be keeping an eye on the local infection rates, and the signs are good that they are starting to fall.
- We'll be trying to get a sense of the number of our more vulnerable folk who have been vaccinated. (Next week on the blog we'll be looking at how as Christians we might respond to the vaccination programme).
- When we feel that the risks are reduced enough, we'll look to re-open the doors again on Sunday's, resuming the booking system and restricted invitations each week for people to attend in person.
- And when enough of us start to attend again, we'll hope to begin sharing Communion.
Finally...
Let's keep in our mind that doing church online is a second best and temporary measure.
Physically meeting together is the ideal.
That's what the writer to the Hebrews had in mind when he said:
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Reading those verses, it seems that some people had got into the habit of not meeting together.
If that was a temptation for people then, it must also be a temptation for us today. And online church might feed that temptation. I can "do" church when I like, where I like, wearing what I like! Our hearts are prone to selfishness and to worship the gods of comfort and convenience.
So let's keep a check on our own hearts with these two questions:
- Are there any warning signs that the idols of comfort and convenience are getting a grip on my heart when it comes to online church?
- What did I take for granted about going to a church service before the pandemic struck? What do I miss? Who do I miss?
And why not pray about those things now.
