Comms Update on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Thursday 16 July 2020
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This update includes links to information and guidance documentation:
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Bishop Richard's weekly message #18
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This week marks the end of term for schools and colleges across the Diocese and conversation has turned to summer plans.
In the communication team, our attention turns to planning for the Autumn and Winter. We promise not to mention the "C" word just yet but let's just say the countdown to Advent has already begun for us and we hope to share more details in early September.
The weekly communications bulletin will continue and we plan to focus on sharing video messages, highlighting resources and tools to support parishes and online training. If you have a story to share, please do contact our communications team directly.
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A message from our Education Team
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As we approach the end of term our Director of Education has shared a letter with all schools and parents. It's a time to reflect upon the amazing efforts made of our schools during this season.
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Social and racial injustice and the church
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We continue with a final episode in our series of "A conversations with..." as part of our efforts to share a Christian perspective on how to respond to social and racial injustice and the Church.
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This Friday, 17 July at 7pm Revd Kina Robertshaw speaks to Joel Edwards about his early years in this country, the experience of secondary school and London School Bible College and then leading the Evangelical Alliance. In conclusion, Joe will provide some guidelines about what we should be doing practically to see change in our church and community.
If you would like to join the zoom webinar, please register your details.
If you have a story to share, we'd love to hear from you. Please contact our communications team.
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All Churches Trust Hope Beyond (Covid-19) grants
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All Churches Trust has launched a new grants programme – Hope Beyond - aimed at enabling churches and Christian charities to meet changing need within their communities as the longer term impact of Covid-19 becomes clearer.
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Funding projects that will enable people, organisations and communities to flourish in life after lockdown, Hope Beyond will help churches, Christian charities and communities to adapt to the challenges and opportunities presented by the pandemic - building resilience and encouraging hope.
Grants of up to £50,000 are available, and the amount you receive will depend upon the cost of your project and level of need in your community, ranging from 10% of project cost through to 80%.
Hope Beyond: Pack for partners
Hope Beyond: Research Report
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Generous giving, gift days and fundraising
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Summer is here, usually a time for sunshine, ice-cream and a season of fundraising events in our Church calendar.
We know that many churches have had to put their usual fundraising and social events on-hold this year due to the pandemic and associated safety restrictions. We have created a handy short guide to virtual fundraising. Some of our churches have already made a start and are raising funds for local mission and ministry and having great fun at the same time.
Do tell us about your virtual events. We'd love to share your stories with others, please contact our communications team
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IM reflection - Lizzie Hackney interviews Jonathan Bland about intergenerational worship
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Sunday Worship from the parish of Alvely and Quatt
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All our previous Sunday Worship online can be found on our YouTube channel in a special Sunday Worship playlist. We're very thankful to all the teams from across our Diocese for their contributions and to all those who have volunteered to support services over the next few months.
If you would like to lead a service, please contact the communications team.
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| Date |
Leader |
| 05 July |
Revd Justin Parker |
| 12 July |
Revd Neil Dunlop |
| 19 July |
Hereford Cathedral |
| 26 July |
Pontesbury Team |
| 02 August |
Intergenerational Team |
| 09 August |
St Paul's Team, Hereford |
| 16 August |
Revd Julie and Nick Read |
| 23 August |
Revd Kina Robertshaw |
| 30 August |
West Hereford Team |
| 06 Sept |
Much Wenlock Team |
| 13 Sept |
Hereford South Wye Team |
| 20 Sept |
Bishop Richard |
| 27 Sept |
Intergenerational Team |
| 04 Oct |
Hereford Cathedral |
| 11 Oct |
Telford Severn Gorge Team |
| 18 Oct |
SPSJ Hereford Team |
| 25 Oct |
Intergenerational Team |
| 01 Nov |
Leominster Priory Team |
| 08 Nov |
Abbeydore Team |
| 15 Nov |
Parish of Alveley & Quatt |
| 22 Nov |
Hereford Cathedral |
| 29 Nov |
Intergenerational Team |
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Parochial church councils can, if they wish, meet using virtual means such as Skype or Zoom which enable the members to see and hear each other. This is the recommended form for meetings to continue.
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However, now the places of worship have reopened, PCC meetings can be held in Church but care must be taken to maintain social distancing so that members of a PCC are not put at any risk.
Following a virtual meeting, decisions such as the authorising of expenditure, entering into contracts or those that require a formal resolution of the PCC should be put in written form and circulated for formal approval under the correspondence procedure in rule M29 (which under Rule 76 can be conducted by email).
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Children's work during worship
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Further clarification has been made available on children's work during worship. The guidelines suggest that children and young people who attend should be kept in small, consistent groups, and of no more than fifteen children and at least one staff member.
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Children should be assigned to a particular class or group and should then stay in those consistent groups for future sessions and avoid mixing with other groups in your setting.
If possible, those attending should practise physical distancing in line with the government’s current guidance. As the risk of transmission is considerably lower outdoors, providers who normally run sessions indoors should consider whether they are able to do so safely outside on their premises.
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Churches using Zoom to stream services need both the CCLI Streaming Licence and the PRS for Music LOML. This is because Zoom doesn’t currently have an agreement with PRS for Music as YouTube and Facebook do.
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Face coverings and Church
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Liturgical resources to support those who have experienced a loss during lockdown or who are grieving can be found online from a range of sources. Please do share anything you've found useful. Here's a few highlights we've found:
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Alpha online starts in August 2020
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We're launching Alpha online at the start of August. This is the first time we are trying this on a Diocese-wide programme and we're opening it up to all. This is a great way to engage those people who have been attending Church online but don't usually come into our buildings. More information and details online.
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Inhabiting innovation Led by Ed Olsworth-Peter
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An invitation from +Richard to a seminar for those in church leadership exploring what mission and ministry could look like beyond lockdown. Joined by members of the National Anglican Community of Pioneers who will share their experiences it will draw on pioneer principles as a foundation for innovation.
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It will share insights from lockdown from the national pioneer community, explore how to develop a pioneering vocation within your tradition, how to inhabit your context drawing on pioneer principles as well as highlighting the spiritual disciplines that underpin this. There will be an ‘in conversation with..’ session which will directly follow the seminar as an opportunity for participants to ask questions and develop themes with pioneer practitioners in breakout rooms.
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An invitation to join in a virtual pilgrimage to Taizé as part of a 6 day guided Spiritual Retreat based on the Taize rhythm of prayer, discussion & community. The pilgrimage will be attended by the Bishops of St Albans, Birmingham and Hereford, with each leading services of worship.
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There will be two daily services on Facebook Live. There will also be daily zoom discussions and prayer meetings led by one of the Brothers from Taizé. The event takes places from Monday 27th July until Saturday 1st August - please register via Eventbrite and visit the Facebook page for more information.
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Doing Church Digitally – the future shape of church
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Tuesday 21 July, 11.30am
As we emerge from lockdown, church teams face a new challenge - what role should digital engagement continue to play as we think about the practicalities of welcoming people back into our buildings?
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What steps should we be taking now to help us with this new hybrid reality of church?
An online session exploring the why and how of continuing to do church digitally as restrictions are eased.
Speakers are:
- Bob Jackson - Co-founder of the Everyone Welcome Online project, Durham Digital Theology Unit. Author of 'Everybody Welcome to the Future'
- Rev Esther Prior – Vicar of St John's Church, Egham & Premier Digital webinars contributor.
- Rev Bryony Taylor - Rector of Barlborough and Clowne in Derby Diocese, blogger and expert on social media and its uses for learning and communication.
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