Churches undaunted by lockdown

Social distancing, face masks and a ban on congregational singing have severely curtailed our ability to meet together in the traditional way.

However, through the creative use of Zoom, YouTube, and other social media, along with the telephone and even printed sheets, Christians in Wetherby and Collingham have continued to worship and serve one another and the wider community.

Each church has devised its own way of meeting together, with live streamed services, and Zoom-enabled prayer gatherings, Bible studies, ‘virtual coffee’, and even an Alpha course.

Some congregations maintain communications via telephone, email, or dropping weekly service sheets through letterboxes.

Some churches have found that the number of people visiting their online services is much greater than the pre-Covid physical attendance.

This may indicate that people who wouldn’t enter a church are nonetheless happy to participate in an online service, which raises some challenging questions for how we ‘do church’ in the future.

Churches have continued to support those who are in need and confined to their homes, doing shopping and just ‘being there’ for people.

Support for organisations such as the Wetherby and District Food bank and WiSE has been maintained within the limits imposed by the pandemic.

It is clear, too, that such activities are not confined only to churches. The Salvation Army reports that they have received many offers of help from across our Wetherby community, demonstrating the axiom that ‘we are all in this together’.

Churches are now thinking about how we can bring the joy and wonder of Christmas to our community: our mission is to show that Jesus is the ‘’Light of the world’, especially at this difficult time.

Many of the traditional seasonal events are unlikely to take place, but we are determined to ensure that Christmas 2020 isn’t cancelled!

In the past, we have organised a Christmas Day lunch for those who would otherwise be on their own.

This is not going to be possible this year, but we are making plans to offer a socially-distanced ‘doorstep’ visit on Christmas Day to those who would appreciate it.

The annual Christmas Appeal to provide food and toy parcels to needy famlies, is also going ahead, spearheaded by the Salvation Army.

Full details of other Christmas activities will be available on the Churches Together website (www.ctiw.org).