Allow churches to reopen safely

Churches and other religious institutions are a key part of many people’s lives in our society. For regular worshippers, they are a place of hope, care, safety, community and friendship. Even for many non-worshipers, they are a place of peace in the midst of grief, stress, and trouble.

By allowing churches to reopen in a limited way (for prayer, pastoral counsel, and worship) with social distancing in place - services would need to be limited in number, with households sitting together and separate from other households. Care would need to be taken and certain practices suspended to ensure safe gathering. And online provision should continue for those in the vulnerable groups who can access this from home.

Why the contribution is important

Churches can provide hope to people. They can care for people (and indeed, many churches have been serving their communities on the frontline throughout lockdown.

Churches can support people through grief, anxiety, and worry. They can provide community, love, and friendship.

Most of all, they cater for people’s spiritual needs, which are often overlooked in society. A recent study said over half of all people had prayed during this crisis - the churches are well placed to help people in our society to navigate these difficult times and to discuss matters of life and death with people.

by ThomasM on May 09, 2020 at 09:03PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 3.2
Based on: 15 votes

Comments

  • Posted by HelenMM May 09, 2020 at 21:12

    I am supporting this idea and I am not actually religious. But in these uncertain times people need support and those used to going to church will be very much cut off from their mental health support. Howcome we can all go to supermarkets (socially distancing etc) but the churches are off limits? Last shopping trip I had to spend nearly an hour in Tesco due to the distancing and one way aisles etc and I am sure there were lots more people in there than a socially distancing church would accommodate..

  • Posted by Opportunity May 09, 2020 at 21:22

    If one can work from home, why can people not pray from home?

  • Posted by GrahamDane May 09, 2020 at 21:37

    In Germany greatly restricted services are allowed, eg no singing!
    If church leaders can come up with viable social distancing plans it should be considered but they need to ask themselves if they want to lead so many elderly people into danger.

  • Posted by McDonnjo May 09, 2020 at 21:38

    People already pray at home, this is nothing new. We need to be able to visit our churches - even just for private prayer. It is vitally important to us and to our Spiritual welfare, it is also possible to do, so please let us.

  • Posted by Haggis59 May 09, 2020 at 22:14

    I think it's too soon yet to open churches currently. In my community churches of different denominations are posting online services via YouTube or Church website. They are getting more response from people now than they did when the church doors were open and more and more people viewing the videos or reading the services. Elderly people that don't have or use internet are getting regular calls from elders/Church members they know to make sure that they are safe and well and to keep them in the loop on what's happening. Maybe if the Church you go to doesn't do that this is something you can suggest. It's become the new norm just now and we just make the most of it.

  • Posted by Hamiltoes May 09, 2020 at 22:53

    Not religious although I believe this is important.

  • Posted by russellp May 09, 2020 at 23:45

    Very much agree that churches should be open and available again, as places giving spiritual comfort, support and friendship, to people in times of stress. Social distancing is possible in most churches because of the size of the buildings. How often does one enter a church for private reflection and find there is only a handful of other people there. It is vital for many people, anxious or grieving, to have access to spiritual support.

  • Posted by marriottuk May 10, 2020 at 00:19

    Essential? I'm sure God will understand if you pray from home.

  • Posted by AlexMD May 10, 2020 at 07:44

    Can't allow churches to re-open but not other gatherings. Everything should be re-opened.
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