The Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Revd Martyn Snow has issued the following statement:
"As I send New Year greetings, I am very aware that Leicester and Leicestershire have entered Tier 4 of the government’s restrictions and we are all therefore being asked to ’stay at home’. This is not how any of us hoped to welcome in a new year and we are faced once again with the challenge of caring for one another from a distance and supporting those who are most vulnerable.
"Within the Tier 4 rules, places of worship remain open but must continue to conduct risk assessments to ensure that any who visit are kept safe. Some of our churches will not be able to offer worship in their buildings and are instead offering online or phone resources (please visit www.achurchnearyou.com for information about churches in your area).
"At this challenging time, all our churches are committed to praying for those most in need - those who are grieving the loss of loved ones, those who are unwell and those caring for them, those who have lost their job or their business, those who work in our schools and colleges, the NHS, and those living with anxiety. The message of Christmas, that God is with us in all our circumstances, and the teaching of Jesus Christ who invited us to bring all our worries and concerns to God in prayer, remain our source of ‘comfort and joy’."