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?!

It doesn’t matter who you are – even Robbie Williams has revealed that prayer is important for him as he can become depressed sometimes. In fact, when he thought he’d contracted the virus, he prayed like anything!

This is not unusual – over 90% of people pray when things get desperate. But many don’t want to go to a church as they feel it’s a bit alien to them, or that they’d stick out like a sore thumb. What’s the answer? THE VIRUS!!!

Churches may have closed their physical doors but they have now opened virtual ones. People can see what it’s like for themselves from the safety of their own living room, giving them opportunity to reflect, meditate, listen and pray. So we’ve asked the question – what have Moseley churches been doing over Easter, the most important date in their calendar? Has the virus killed the Church? Let’s see…

(1) If you want a short reflection for the day …

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, are they expecting lockdown to finish on 21 July?). Well worth a look. moseleybenefice.org.uk/, whilst St Columba URC is giving out reflections, available by emailing fiona.elvins@talktalk.net.

(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 which has online services and a pause for prayer (http://www.birminghamcathedral. com/).

Riverside Church has produced the most interesting and techsavvy Moseley services at Easter with its own YouTube channel - bit. ly/RiversideChurchOnline. Its services have been watched by audiences up to thirty times the size of its congregation (based on three people per ‘view’) with ‘watchers’ from Brazil to Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Egypt, South Africa, USA, Canada and Japan!

As well as services and reflections, the churches have been at the forefront of supporting food banks and even providing chaplains for people who are lonely or unable to get out. Riverside has also started an online Alpha course series of videos for people who want to question life, its meaning and where they’re at.

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.

Visit one of the services this Sunday – no-one will know! It might really encourage you.