Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today the UK tragically passed 100,000 COVID-19 deaths. Our hearts and prayers go out to all those affected and grieving.
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have issued an open letter to the nation which is here: Archbishops’ letter to the nation. They are calling on the nation to come together to pray on Sunday 31 January at 6pm
Here is a link to the statement: https://www.churchofengland.org/news-and-media/news-and-statements/coronavirus-archbishops-invite-nation-pause-pray-and-remember
Supporting the Bereaved
As a Diocese we have issued a press release in which we echo the Archbishops’ as well as encourage the churches to support the bereaved.
With churches in every community, we are best placed to support the bereaved. There is much that they can do to support the masses of people who are grieving now. Telling people about the AtaLoss.org, signposting website, in church services, notices, at funerals and on church websites is a good place to start. Then running The Bereavement Journey course and seeking to become a Bereavement Friendly Church are things that every church could do. The Bereavement Journey is a six-session self-help course of films and discussion groups hosted by volunteers. It has been made available online with all the resources and support needed to make it easy for any church to run, with accompanying training for volunteers and leaders. See the Loss and Hope website for this and more: https://www.lossandhope.org/.
Dean of Southwark, the Very Revd Andrew Nunn has provided a prayer. See attached and here:
Praying as a milestone is passed
‘Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?’
‘These are they who have come out of the great ordeal.’
(Revelation 7.13, 14)
God of love,
who hold us in life as in death,
as we commend each one of those who have died
to your eternal and tender care
comfort all who grieve,
hold us in our sorrow
and give us that sense of hope
which brings us all
to resurrection life
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Please continue to support the bereaved in whatever way you are able.
The Coronavirus Task Group
(Bishop Christopher, the Very Revd Andrew Nunn, the Venerable Alastair Cutting, Ruth Martin and Sophia Jones)
