Over the last year, churches in Fosse deanery have been taking their services outside in response to Covid restrictions.
Churches blessed with technology (or able to rustle it up pronto) have streamed services online. Some have sadly not been in that position. But in sharing experiences of how some Fosse deanery parishes have continued worship, fellowship, even outreach, a common theme emerges of taking the message beyond our walls, and going outdoors.
The rural nature of much of Fosse deanery has proved useful – eg St Peter’s in Wellesbourne holding their ‘Paddock Praise’ in summer, and in December walk-through scenes that recalled the barely-sheltered first Nativity. At Holy Trinity in Stratford-upon-Avon, another walk-through idea enabled parishioners to experience Christmas at church by walking through it. Displays, lighting, floral decoration and carol-singing by the choir conveyed the spiritual atmosphere and significance of the celebration. Visitors could pre-book and outdoor queueing was measured out so that in a carefully planned and safe way the grounds and church interior could be utilised.
In Shottery, parishioners marked Pentecost by making a bright bunting of ‘flames’, strung across St Andrew’s hedged frontage on a popular route for daily exercise (particularly during that hot, blue-sky May). Information about Pentecost and significance of the ‘flames’ was posted on the noticeboard for walkers to read.
Children have often been the ones to miss out since services went online. This February (2021) Shottery’s young ‘Illumin8’ group has set a ‘Heart Trail’ around the church grounds – with home-made hearts (drawn, sewn, knitted) hung out or hidden around the grounds, together with a QR code quiz.
Such ideas make the Gospel’s message more accessible to church-shy locals, and bear witness that faith and worship continue. Church noticeboards proclaim: ‘The Church isn’t a building’, but churchyards can have their uses.