The Church continues to be alive and active, but our buildings must close We are seeing a huge increase in the number of people falling sick with COVID-19. We must distance ourselves from one another and prevent the spread of infection in order to save lives. Therefore, as well as public worship being suspended, Stoke Minster and all church buildings in the Church of England are now closed. Our worship of God and our care for each other continue but cannot be done safely from within the church building at this time.For details of ways we can join one another in prayer, study and community life and action see our website and facebook page. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength . . . Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” To protect the vulnerable amongst us, please do not leave your home except for essential trips.
Following the Government's guidance, advising against all non-essential meeting, all activity at Stoke Minster is for the time being suspended. This means that there will be no public worship until further notice.You can read a statement issued by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York here.If you know anyone who is vulnerable and needing support at home within Stoke & Fenton please get in touch.
Bishop Geoff Annas has served as Bishop of Stafford since 2010. The Minster was the first church that Bishop Geoff and his wife Ann saw on coming to Lichfield Diocese. And it was appropriate that Stoke Minster was the setting for the farewell service. The service on 24 November included reflections from clergy and people from each deanery in the Stafford episcopal area, highlighting the good news stories of ways that churches are reaching out to engage in their communities.Pictures from the event are available to view here.
