Church is not closed - we're online

Jo Naish, Associate priest for the Nadder Valley Churches posted:

"Watch this space. Children and families - Church isn't stopping - it is changing! In light of the restrictions our our usual fab Easter Workshop will not physically take place this Easter Week - but we will be producing a Virtual "Workshop at Home" set of resources so that all of us can explore the Easter Story together.

"We'll have ideas for makes and bakes, for music and hopefully some film links and some challenges for you to film and photograph to share."

Over in Shaftesbury, The Revd Helen Dawes, Team Rector posted:

"This Sunday at 10am Revds Pam & Helen are planning to have a go at live-streaming a church service for the Shaftesbury Team here on our Facebook page. It won't have the highest production values, we don't even know yet if you'll be able to hear us properly, but it will be an attempt at seeing how we can keep on being a church through these strange times.

"If you know someone on Facebook who might want to join us in worship, encourage them to like our page so that we're easy to find on Sunday morning. (And if it's a complete disaster at least it will give you a giggle!)"

Bishop Karen has been logging the live-streaming of prayer around Dorset and these include Sixpenny Handley at 10am, Weymouth at 12 noon, St James Poole at 7pm and Morning Prayer & Compline via St Ann's & St Aldhelm's Church, Weymouth 9am & 9pm.

She said:

"Thank you all for being so resourceful."

St Mary’s Weymouth also posted to say:

"Each day at 12 noon we are encouraging people to stop and say the prayer that Jesus taught us to pray, known as the Lord's Prayer. Please join us wherever you are."

Meanwhile, the Revd Philip Ringer, Chairman of Churches Together in Bridport and District said he uses Facebook to galvanise his community to show solidarity:

"I am inviting people of all faiths and none to join me in silent prayer at 9.00pm by lighting a candle in their windows. We will continue to do this for a while each night until the crisis is over, and we can return to public worship. We are naturally concerned for everyone and our prayers are for those who feel particularly isolated, are affected by the virus and all those who work sacrificially in the NHS."

If you are using social media for your services, we would love to let others know. Email us here.