Bishops offer words of hope ahead of lockdown

The Bishop of Lichfield and the Bishop of Worcester have both spoken following news that places of worship will be subject to restrictions when the new lockdown begins.

Under the new restrictions, places of worship will be required to close unless they are being used for a specific set of reasons including funerals, broadcasting acts of worship and individual prayer.

The Bishop of Lichfield, Dr Michael Ipgrave, said the new restrictions present a challenge, but that churches and communities still have a message of faith, hope and love to share.

He said: "With these new restrictions in place, we need to do all we can to encourage one another, and to pray for each other as we journey through these uncertain times, following Jesus as Lord.

"The work of local churches has continued outside of their buildings in new and innovative ways during lockdown, including online; this will continue in the coming days and weeks.

"Meanwhile, essential services like foodbanks will continue to work out of church buildings to stand with those who are struggling financially as a result of the pandemic."

The Bishop of Worcester, Dr John Inge, said it was disappointing that the restrictions were coming, but said he hoped and prayed the measures being imposed would have the desired effect.

He said: "Even if church buildings are closed for public worship, many of our churches are offering ‘church at home’ and there is a rich offering of online services available.

"If you haven’t experienced it before, online church can be a great way to experience church.

"I pray that we may be enabled, by the Spirit, to have confidence that this crisis will pass; knowing that God’s love for us in Jesus will continue to embrace us all if we let it."