ALL church services have been suspended from today, Tuesday 17th March 2020, in the battle to stem the spread of coronavirus.

In a letter released at lunchtime announcing the decision, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York write that, far from “shutting up shop”, however, the Church must face the challenge by becoming a radically different kind of organisation, “rooted in prayer and serving others”.

The decision comes less than a day after the Government announced unprecedented peacetime measures to try to control the spread of the virus, including restrictions on public gatherings, transport, and working.

The Archbishops hope that church buildings may, where practical, remain open as places of prayer for the community, observing social distancing recommendations. They also urge 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.

Read the full article in the Church Times (link below).