Church services go virtual in lockdown

It followed Guernsey churches and Christian fellowships’ issue of a list of online and recorded services from all denominations in Alderney, Guernsey and Sark after leaders decided to close their churches for public worship due to the pandemic and subsequent introduction of a second lockdown.

In a message to church members last weekend, church leaders, including the Dean of Guernsey, the Very Rev. Tim Barker, said: ‘We suggest that it is appropriate that public worship should cease immediately and until the Civil Contingencies Authority lifts the restrictions.

‘The life and worship of our churches will continue in private prayer, in live-streamed services, in our pastoral care of those who are vulnerable, and in other ways in which we can serve our community safely.’

The Vazon Elim Church service went ahead with a live YouTube offering from its pastor Matthew Gregor, with a guest visit from associate minister Eric Gaudion and his wife Diane.

Mr Gaudion gave congregation members food for thought when he reminded them of apostle Paul’s own five-year ‘lockdown’ during which he was imprisoned in Jerusalem and Rome on the pretext that he created riots through his preaching.

Other services included those from the Vale Church, Eldad Elim Church, Town Church and St John’s Church, as well as St Anne’s Church in Alderney and in Sark, St Peter’s Church and Sark Methodist Church.

An address to parishioners at the Town Church said: ‘We hope that we will be able to return to church soon, in the meantime we resume our online services.

‘Whilst we cannot meet collectively as before within the confines of Town Church and St John’s Church, let us show that our common faith in Christ transcends the boundaries of walls and buildings which then allows us to be the Corporate Body of Christ wherever we are.’

• To view the list of online services, visit the Deanery of Guernsey at www.churchofengland.org.gg, or the Guernsey Methodist Circuit at www.methodist.org.gg.