The Bishop of Leicester issued a video message urging everyone to ‘look out for each other and look up to God in prayer’, following a national announcement by the Church of England about Church changing as we face the Coronavirus.
The Rt Revd Martyn Snow confirmed that churches would remain open for prayer wherever possible even though all public worship is suspended for the time being.
In a joint letter, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York called for Church of England churches to put public worship on hold and become a “different sort of church” in the coming months to face the challenge of coronavirus.
But they said that far from having to “shut up shop”, the Church of England must face the challenge by becoming a radically different kind of church rooted in prayer and serving others.
Many priests will remain active and involved in the community across the Church of England’s Diocese of Leicester, in whatever ways they can which comply with Government and Public Health England advice.
Churches are being advised by the diocese and will be sharing advice and resources, including livestreaming services and prayer, printable prayers and resources, on our new webpage which will be added to in coming days for clergy and congregations to find advice and resources.
Between them, the Bishops of Leicester and Loughborough and both of our Archdeacons, will be personally contacting all Diocese of Leicester clergy to support them and pray with them, as they in turn support and pray for others.
Leicester Diocesan Board of Education (DBE) is supporting 96 church schools and academies, their staff, governors and pupils, as they also tackle the challenges presented by the pandemic. Prayers are being said for them too.
In his video message, Bishop Martyn appealed for the churches and clergy in the Diocese of Leicester to:
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follow Government and Public Health guidance
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look outwards to care for others and look upwards to God in prayer
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devote ourselves to prayer: for our clergy; those who are sick; those in the health service and emergency services; schools; and businesses as they face loss of income
“We want to be a Church that prays for this nation even if we can no longer prayer with people in public services,” said Bishop Martyn.
“So church is changing and this is a time to rediscover our roots; to be a church that looks outwards and cares for people and to be a church that looks upwards and prays for people. Please know that I, as your Bishop, am praying for you at this time,” he added.
The Archbishops have called for a National Day of Prayer on Mothering Sunday, and invited everyone to put a candle in their window at 7pm that day as a show of solidarity.