HAS THE VIRUS KILLED THE CHURCH? With almost everything closed down and just your four walls to look at, life begins to take a different direction. Suddenly we have time to reflect, to turn in on ourselves, to find that we are made to be with others, but are helpless to do anything about it. Switch on TV or social media and there’s an overload of things to do, read or watch. I started with good intentions – wow – I can finally do some painting – but have I, after over four weeks in isolation?!
moseleybenefice.org.uk/, whilst St Columba URC is giving out reflections, available by emailing fiona.elvins@talktalk.net.
(1) If you want a short reflection for the day …
So, far from the virus killing off Easter and the Church, it has brought a breath of fresh air to proceedings, rooting faith back into the community and also providing safe, downto-earth ways to help people rediscover the spiritual side of themselves and to offer hope and comfort in the midst of all that’s happening.
(2) If you want to ‘join in’ a service (by watching, singing along or joining in prayers for what we’re going through, for friends and loved ones), then the Anglican Churches of St Mary’s, St Anne’s and St Agnes point you to either the official website (www. churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/ church-online) or to Birmingham Cathedral It doesn’t matter who you are – even Robbie which has online services and a pause for Williams has revealed that prayer is important prayer (http://www.birminghamcathedral. for him as he can become depressed com/). sometimes. In fact, when he thought he’d Riverside Church has produced the most contracted the virus, he prayed like anything! interesting and techsavvy Moseley services This is not unusual – over 90% of people at Easter with its own YouTube channel - bit. pray when things get desperate. But many ly/RiversideChurchOnline. Its services have don’t want to go to a church as they feel it’s a been watched by audiences up to thirty times bit alien to them, or that they’d stick out like a the size of its congregation (based on three sore thumb. What’s the answer? THE VIRUS!!! people per ‘view’) with ‘watchers’ from Brazil to Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Egypt, South Africa, Churches may have closed their physical USA, Canada and Japan! doors but they have now opened virtual ones. People can see what it’s like for themselves As well as services and reflections, the from the safety of their own living room, churches have been at the forefront of giving them opportunity to reflect, meditate, supporting food banks and even providing listen and pray. So we’ve asked the question chaplains for people who are lonely or unable – what have Moseley churches been doing to get out. Riverside has also started an online over Easter, the most important date in their Alpha course series of videos for people who calendar? Has the virus killed the Church? want to question life, its meaning and where Let’s see… they’re at. Riverside Church, one of the largest in South Birmingham and offering a congregation service for those with impaired hearing (see https://wordofhands.org.uk/), was quick on the uptake. Local people from its congregations are taking short videos of themselves reflecting on a psalm a day. (There are 150 psalms so as this started on 22 March, Visit one of the services this Sunday – no-one are they expecting lockdown to finish on 21 will know! It might really encourage you. July?). Well worth a look. -David Isgrove St Mary’s and St Anne’s have a written thought for the week on https://www. info@moseleyb13.com
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