Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We wish you all a belated Happy New Year and hope that you have entered 2022 well.
As you know, Plan B has ended and as of today, Thursday 27 January, all restrictions have been lifted. This means that from today you will not be required to wear a face covering, including in communal areas. The government suggests, however, that you continue to wear one in crowded and indoor spaces where you may come into contact with people you do not normally meet.
We have attached the updated guidance from the Church of England. Please read it carefully and apply to your own context. Consult your Archdeacon if you are unsure of anything.
COVID-19 Opening and managing church buildings, issued 25th January 2022
We continue to stress the importance of vaccinations and boosters and encourage you to keep sharing this with your congregations.
As a member of the Church of England Covid Recovery Group, Bishop Christopher endorses the following statement from its Chair, Bishop Sarah Mullaly. He also adds his own thanks and appreciation.
Bishop Sarah said, “When the first measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 were introduced in March 2020, few would have imagined that we would still be making adaptations to the way we live our lives – including our worship – almost two years on. It has been a very challenging time. People have made huge sacrifices to protect one another – not only those they know and love but strangers they might never meet. We’ve learnt again as society something of what it means to love our neighbour, as Jesus taught. And it has certainly not been without cost.
The loneliness and isolation many have experienced; the impact on people’s mental health; the lost jobs and failed businesses and strained relationships must not be overlooked. Yet, terrible as the toll from this virus has been, and continues to be, the actions people have taken have saved lives and prevented countless infections, with all the potential long-term consequences that could go with them. We may never know what good has been done.
So as we can begin to look forward with cautious hope, we once again thank those who have done so much to protect us all – particularly our NHS, carers and other front line workers. I want to thank everyone who has made sacrifices for others. I think particularly of younger people who, though often least at risk, have sometimes given up the most. And I want especially to thank our clergy, parish volunteers and congregations for all you are doing – not simply to keep worship going, but to innovate with bold and remarkable new ways of doing so; reaching new people and, of course, serving your communities.
As ‘plan B’ restrictions come to an end the future remains uncertain and we must continue to be cautious. In our churches government rules have been eased but I would still encourage congregations to consider what mitigation can best protect others.
As we look now towards spring and the vivid demonstration of new life it offers us, my prayer is that we won’t forget what we’ve learnt; that we take this opportunity to thank others and that we look with hope to the future.”
Today is Holocaust Memorial Day. Head of JPIC, Nicola Thomas, has written a blog entitled “Loving the Stranger.” Read it at southwark.anglican.org/loving-the-stranger.
A Prayer on Holocaust Memorial Day:
The ‘One Day’ Prayer
Eternal God, you hold all of our days in your hands.
On this day, we come before you to remember the victims of the Holocaust.
We lament the loss of the six million Jews who were killed in the Holocaust, the
millions of other victims of Nazi persecution, and other genocides.
May our minds be clear and attentive to their memory and our hearts be moved to
bear witness to their lives.
Today, help us to remember and recognise the sanctity of each human life, that all
people are made in Your image.
One day, we pray that genocide and hatred will be no more, and that love will
triumph over evil.
In our prayers and in our actions, help us to show this love in the world today.
Amen.
May the Lord continue to guide and strengthen you as you navigate the coming days and months.
The Coronavirus Task Group
(Bishop Christopher, the Very Revd Andrew Nunn, the Venerable Alastair Cutting, Ruth Martin and Sophia Jones)
