Daffodils

With life everywhere looking very different under the shadow of the coronavirus crisis, it has been incredibly encouraging to see how Cornish churches are responding to the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby’s call to become a ‘different sort of church.’

Despite the strangeness of everything, there is an energy and determination to find hope and innovation out of this new normal – which is anything but normal. People are being creative in their caring, thinking how to reach everyone in ways that are accessible, and cross checking with each other that no one is left behind or hidden.

Live-streaming

As part of that, some churches across Cornwall are live-streaming their services this Sunday.

  • The Lann Pydar Benefice which includes, St Columb, St Erval, St Eval and St Mawgan, will be live streaming their Communion service at 4pm. You can watch through their website or Facebook page, just search for @Churches in Lannpydar.
  • St Martin’s in Liskeard will be live-streaming on Sunday at 11.00am. You will be able to follow the service from the Facebook page, @smartchurchliskeard.
  • St Kea invites everyone to join them at 10.30am from their website where they will also be live-streaming.
  • Huddle, who are part of New Street in Falmouth, are sharing the idea of Live from The Living Room Worship, where people from across Cornwall can join in worship from their living rooms.
  • Bishop Philip and Dean Roger have recorded a Eucharist service at Truro Cathedral, and that will be broadcast from the cathedral’s Twitter and Facebook accounts at 10am day (Sunday).

Vlogs, blogs and Youtube

Other clergy across our county are also working with their local teams to work out ways to continue to provide an effective and caring ministry. This at a time when it’s not possible for people to gather together or to stand closer than two metres away. Or, in some cases, through a closed door.

Revd Jo Thomas and live streaming

Click above to see Revd Jo’s clip

Revd Jo Thomas, who is currently self-isolating, has produced a short Youtube message. Reading from Psalm 46, Jo reminds us we are never alone or forsaken, even at, or especially at, times like these. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Click on the image of Revd Jo to see her YouTube clip.

Revd Becca Bell from Southeast Cornwall is starting a video conferencing Bible study and considering doing the same with an Alpha course. She says, “It’s exhausting but really fun trying new things!”

Rural Dean of Pydar, Revd Chris McQuillen-Wright is working on short services that people can share together in their own homes, including a bereavement service for when it’s not possible to attend a funeral. You can find out more by visiting his website www.kerdh.co.uk

But what if live-streaming, the internet and technology are just not your thing?

There are increasingly wonderful and innovative ways to reach out and break through the barriers of social distancing, using technology. But what about those in your community for whom live-streaming sounds more like a form of fly-fishing than online broadcasting? Not everyone has access to the internet or is comfortable worshipping collectively in this way.

Revd Jules Williams, Priest in Charge at St Blazey, Luxulyan and Boscoppa has printed up service sheets with ‘Worship from Home’ to be delivered with daffodils and left on doorsteps on Saturday. In that way, people can still follow a service, collectively, if not all in the same place. They will also feel loved and not forgotten, which is crucial in this time of social distancing.

Keeping you updated with live-streaming

It’s just brilliant to see how everyone is pulling together, embracing a new way of doing things – whether that’s learning how to be still or how to include everyone, even if we can’t be physically close. As soon as we have more information on other live-streaming services, we will post them here. But in the meantime, don’t forget to listen along, wherever you are and however you do it – the internet or the radio, to Archbishop Justin Welby on Radio 4 this Sunday at 8.00am.

For all the latest guidelines, resources and information for parishes navigating their way through this coronavirus crisis, please click on the link: Guideline, resources and information