Chichester churches urge people to support our NHS by staying home to show love for each other

While congregations may now not be able to see each other in person, our priests and their teams are adapting fast and flexibly, tackling the challenges of self-isolation and reaching out to people who are struggling.

The Rev Dr Dan Inman, Chichester Cathedral’s residentiary canon and chancellor, said: “Especially when the community, beautiful architecture and music of the place is so integral to many people’s engagement with God, I sense for many the closure of our buildings has felt a bit like going into exile or returning to the early church, when church took place in people’s homes rather than basilicas or temples.”

Dan said, while this is already the daily experience of many persecuted Christians around the world, it is really disorientating for many of us.

He said: “It’s fair to say we’re still finding our way and learning to dig deeper into our spiritual resources, not least our Bibles.

“But, all in all, I keep thinking of those oft-repeated words of Jesus, ‘Do not be afraid’.

“While, as many people on the phone tell me, we miss being together very much, we know staying at home is ultimately the way in which we show love for each other now and support our NHS.”

The cathedral is focusing on staying in touch.

Dan said: “Our communications operation has swung into operation rather magnificently.

“We’re slowly, as a clergy and staff team, ringing our way round our hundreds of volunteers and congregation, live-streaming our Sunday eucharists – this week from the Dean’s dining room, weekly video-messages from the clergy, and providing online resources for prayer and worship.”

The cathedral’s Young Ambassadors for Social Action have been preparing postcards to send out to those in the congregation.

It is also seeking to build a community via its newsletter.

Dan said: “We’re also planning – if we master the technology – to start a Bible study in due course and also a book club and, depending on how long this lasts, we may provide more teaching resources online too.

“None of it is perfect or ideal and, like schools or other institutions, we’re very much improvising – we’re always glad for new ideas!”

The cathedral choristers have also played their part, performing a #hymnflashmob inspired by St Paul’s Cathedral to spread some much-needed solace.

Dan said the cathedral congregation continues to contribute ‘magnificently’ to the Foodbank, too.

He said: “I had the privilege of helping the fantastic work of Heart which, uniting Christians across the city, continues to support the homeless community and which will no doubt need people’s support more and more in the coming months.”

The United Benefice of St Paul, Chichester and St Peter, Westhampnett is one of several Anglican churches in the city and is focusing on being a calm, compassionate and caring presence at the heart of its parish.

Rector Reverend Canon Simon Holland said: “Obviously the situation is changing all the time and we are feeling our way.”

Father Simon said the church’s response has been three-fold.

Its first aim is pastoral care: “We have a dedicated team who are supporting members of the church community, either by keeping in regular touch with them by phone/email or by doing shopping for them as required.”

Secondly, the church has set up The Grapevine – a new weekly newsletter intended to ensure that we maintain contact with every member of the church community.

“It’s either emailed or distributed in hard copy.”

Finally, every day Fr Simon publishes a Rector’s Blog on the church website and Facebook, as a way of encouraging everyone in their faith throughout the crisis.”

The church is also preparing to stream some services during Holy Week and Easter.

Its goals are to maintain close contact with church members who are housebound, offering spiritual support and practical care.

While the Pastoral Care Team has a crucial role to play in this regard, ‘it is important that we work together to prevent anyone from being neglected or overlooked’.

“We also need to be imaginative about what spiritual resources we can realistically offer those who are housebound and unable to receive communion … and to encourage all members of the congregation to be good neighbours.”

Fr Simon said: “I am extremely grateful to all our cheerful church volunteers who are helping to make all this possible.”

For more information visit www.chichestercathedral.org.uk, www.heartchichester.church or www.stpaulschichester.org

Let’s play our part

Reverend James Cooper is the parish priest at St George’s Donnington, as well as chaplain to St Wilfrid’s Hospice.

As one of the UK’s 1.5 million ‘shielded’ people, James said: “It certainly feels as if I can’t play my part; however, as a friend said, the best way you can help the health service is to stay home and not get sick.”

He said we can all potentially provide an intensive care bed simply by staying home: “I have surprised myself at my ability to master modern technology, so I can still do much of my work from home.”

In a time of crisis and as social animals, our instinct is to come together when faced by any external threat, ‘yet Covid-19 demands that physically, at least, we stay apart and our evolutionary history makes that difficult’.

His response? “Hope is the great human trait that will see us through - we can hold on to the idea that things will get better.

“The poet Kahlil Gibran said, ‘Like seeds dreaming beneath the snow, your heart dreams of spring, trust the dreams’.”

If we can learn from this experience, we will emerge from the crisis stronger and better: “I’m discovering necessity is indeed the mother of invention and many people are so willing to come together and help.

“As the hospice chaplain, I see my colleagues working so hard to work at maximum capacity and still maintaining our exemplary standards of care.

“We are looking after more patients in both the hospice and the community to relieve pressure on St Richard’s.”

For more information about St George’s Donnington visit www.achurchnearyou.com/church/4871/ or visit stwh.co.uk to find out more about St Wilfrid’s Hospice.

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