Today the Prime Minister has declared a Level 2 situation and requested all at-risk groups to stay at home. This includes people aged over 70 and those with other respiratory conditions.

A national Anglican Pandemic Group has been set up (which includes our Registrar, Andrew Metcalfe). Its Chair The Rev'd Canon Michael Hughes writes: 

"I have received advice that we should ask clergy who are holding services this weekend to meet people at the church door and if they are in these groups to pastorally ask them to return home, knowing they will be prayed for by those who do gather, even for a simple act of worship.
We should also encourage all church offices to begin remote working protocols for anyone in these groups."

For those who have chosen to remain open tomorrow and know that you have a significant number of your congregation in these categories, we would advise that you arrange for them to be contacted now to avoid disappointment of being turned away, or consider taking the decision to close now. If you are unable to do this at this late stage, please ask people to return home as suggested above.

I know that it does feel as if things are getting more difficult in the short term, but as is increasingly being said, we have this new reality of physical distancing and social solidarity. We need to assure people that they are known, loved and cared for and that we continue to trust in God for the wisdom and strength to see us through these times.

Let us continue to put our trust in God, and love our neighbours.

+ Steve