In the light of the Government guidance around non-essential contact, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have issued advice that public worship is suspended until further notice.Churches should be open where possible but with no public worship services taking place. Prayers can be said by clergy and ministers on behalf of everyone and churches should consider ways of sharing this with the wider community. In a joint letter Archbishops Justin Welby and John Sentamu said it was now necessary to put public services on hold until further notice. But they said that far from having to “shut up shop”, the Church of England must face the challenge by becoming a radically different kind of church rooted in prayer and serving others.The Archbishops also invited clergy to maintain the ancient pattern of daily prayer and, where possible, the eucharist – live streaming their worship if they have the resources to do so.And they urged congregations to be in the forefront of providing practical care and support for the most poor and most vulnerable during the crisis.“Being a part of the Church of England is going to look very different in the days ahead,” they wrote.“Our life is going to be less characterised by attendance at church on Sunday, and more characterised by the prayer and service we offer each day.“We may not be able to pray with people in the ways that we are used to, but we can certainly offer practical care and support.“Please do carry on supporting the local foodbank and buy extra provisions for it. Ensure the night shelters are kept open. There are many very encouraging schemes happening right across our country in communities to focus on caring for the most vulnerable and do continue to play your part in those.“Then, by our service, and by our love, Jesus Christ will be made known, and the hope of the gospel – a hope that can counter fear and isolation – will spread across our land.”They added: “This is a defining moment for the Church of England. Are we truly a church for all, or just the church for ourselves?“We urge you sisters and brothers to become a different sort of church in these coming months: hopeful and rooted in the offering of prayer and praise and overflowing in service to the world.”The Archbishops have joined other church leaders in calling for a day of prayer and actions this Sunday (Mothering Sunday) particularly remembering those who are sick or anxious and involved in health and emergency issues.
In light of the increase in cases of coronavirus in the UK, ALL services at St Mary and All Saints Church as well as the Cafe Church services at the Winn Hall have been cancelled until further notice.
The Bishop of Guildford has released a personal message regarding the cancellation of Justin Welby's visit to the Diocese visit scheduled for next week.Many people had registered to hear the Archbishop speak on transforming lives, churches and communities and then answer our questions. Some of our parishioners are among those who had registered.But on Friday, March 13 the Rt Reverend Andrew Watson released a statement. He explained: "Along with my leadership team, I took the very hard decision to postpone the visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Diocese of Guildford next week. We appreciate the enormous amount of effort that has gone into putting these events together and therefore the disappointment that will accompany this decision.<span style="font-size: 1rem;">"This step has not been taken lightly, but we felt it was our social responsibility to postpone this visit until there is less uncertainty and more information on how Covid-19 will impact the UK. Given the large number of people and events organised and our priority to protect those most vulnerabe in our communities, we have concluded that this is the necessary course of action.</span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">"Hosting the Archbishop of Canterbury is an amazing honour and we had wanted to make sure that all parishioners, all our schools, and all our partners would have the opportunity to spend time with him. We look forward to rescheduling his visit.</span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">"Our priority now is to support our parishes, schools and chaplaincies to prepare for a potential spread of Covid-19, supporting our clergy to continue to provide spiritual and pastoral care to their parishes and protect those who are vulnerable, isolated and fearful in our communities." </span>
The Bishop of Guildford has released a personal message regarding the cancellation of Justin Welby's visit to the Diocese visit scheduled for next week.Many people had registered to hear the Archbishop speak on transforming lives, churches and communities and then answer our questions. Some of our parishioners are among those who had registered.But on Friday, March 13 the Rt Reverend Andrew Watson released a statement. He explained: "Along with my leadership team, I took the very hard decision to postpone the visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Diocese of Guildford next week. We appreciate the enormous amount of effort that has gone into putting these events together and therefore the disappointment that will accompany this decision.<span style="font-size: 1rem;">"This step has not been taken lightly, but we felt it was our social responsibility to postpone this visit until there is less uncertainty and more information on how Covid-19 will impact the UK. Given the large number of people and events organised and our priority to protect those most vulnerabe in our communities, we have concluded that this is the necessary course of action.</span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">"Hosting the Archbishop of Canterbury is an amazing honour and we had wanted to make sure that all parishioners, all our schools, and all our partners would have the opportunity to spend time with him. We look forward to rescheduling his visit.</span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">"Our priority now is to support our parishes, schools and chaplaincies to prepare for a potential spread of Covid-19, supporting our clergy to continue to provide spiritual and pastoral care to their parishes and protect those who are vulnerable, isolated and fearful in our communities." </span>
