Coronavirus Ad Clerum 09112020

Dear brothers and sisters in the LORD

We will not forget Remembrance Sunday 2020 for some time. Perhaps others of you have seen the image of Her Majesty the Queen, standing solitary, dressed in black, complete with face-covering, before Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Westminster Abbey. I’m sure I’m not alone in having found this picture especially poignant and appropriate to the season we are living through. For me, the image somehow did full justice not only to the annual act of remembrance, but to all the losses which the pandemic has cost us this year. At the same time, for me it chimed in with events on the other side of the Atlantic and the outcome, with all its remaining uncertainties of the Presidential Election in the USA and all the challenges which the new President will face in 2021, in relation not only to the pandemic and the dilemma of balancing healthcare risks against economic risks (knowing that the most deprived will bear the brunt in either case) but also in relation to climate change and racial justice (to cite only the issues the President-elect himself has named). So I found it both challenging and encouraging yesterday, to hear again these words of the prophet Amos: ‘Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever- flowing stream’. My own prayer is that the pandemic, which on the face of it is bound to amplify inequalities globally, nationally and regionally, will instead be the catalyst for a renewal commitment by the leaders of the nations to the ways of justice and righteousness.

Please see below a few further amendments to government guidance, as well as news of the publication of the ’s major study of marriage, sexuality and human identity, ‘Living in Love and Faith’.

1. Further guidance with regard to public worship in Lockdown2 The guidance for which we have been waiting has now been issued by the government and you can find it here. It states that ‘attending a place of worship for broadcasting or filming an act of worship is permitted but should only involve those people working or volunteering who are essential for the content of the service, and for technical support to enable people to watch and worship online or via a television or radio.’ It goes on to say that, ‘If musicians or singers usually form part of the act of worship that is being broadcast, they may participate but only if they are essential to the delivery of that act of worship. The numbers or people involved should be kept as small as possible to minimise risks and participants should follow social distancing guidance.’

This guidance bears out the rule of thumb we suggested last week, that but if about six people were present, socially distanced and masked when not speaking, we suggest this would be within the spirit of what is required. In addition, the Church of England has revised its guidance here. One thing to note in this is that Public Health England have revised the quarantine period for a building after known exposure to Coronavirus from 72 hours down to 48 hours. This means the period between uses of a building without the need to clean is reduced, so churches that have been using that method to ensure the safety of their buildings may be able to open more often.

2. The national call to prayer Meanwhile, we are four days into the 28 days in which the Archbishops have called us to pray for the nation and for the world and for the light of Christ to banish the darkness of the pandemic. The Archbishops wrote: ‘Bearing in mind our primary vocation as the Church of Jesus Christ to pray and to serve we call upon the Church of England to make this month of lockdown a month of prayer. More than anything else, whatever the nation thinks, we know that we are in the faithful hands of the risen Christ who knows our weaknesses, tiredness and struggles and whose steadfast love endures for ever. We will publish resources to support you before the first day of lockdown. During this second lockdown we invite you to fast in a way appropriate to you as well as pray for our nation every Thursday, for its leaders, its health and essential services and all those who suffer.’ We recognise that many of you are already at full stretch and do not have the capacity to embrace yet another initiative; please be assured that that is understood. Indeed, we will pray for you. But others of you will be stirred in the Holy Spirit to pray more in this season; if so, please respond in one or more of the ways outlined below. • Each Thursday at 8.00am a member of the Bishop’s Senior Staff Team leads an online Morning Prayer, live on the Diocesan Facebook page. Do join us! • Each Thursday at 6.00pm we are offering a form of Evening Prayer online, also on the Diocesan Facebook page. • We will also be featuring members of the diocese joining in with the daily prayer themes throughout this period so do look out for that on our social media channels. • The Archbishops are also encouraging those who have church bells to toll them daily for one minute at 6.00pm for 28 days from Thursday 5 November. • Each morning at 7.30am the 2025 Prayer Community Facebook group meets for prayer. You can find it here.

3. Living in Love and Faith Finally, it has been announced that the Church of England’s ‘Living in Love and Faith’ teaching and learning resources, exploring questions of human identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage, will be published on this afternoon. The resources, commissioned by the House of Bishops, include a book, a series of films and podcasts and a course, which have been developed over the last three years by a group of more than 40 people from across the Church. It was my (Bishop Pete’s) privilege to chair the Biblical Studies Working Group, one of five such groups which fed into the process – so I have more than a passing interest in ensuring that these resources are well used! A complementary copy of the main book (an attractively formatted but hefty volume!) will be sent to every incumbent. The resources are intended to initiate a process of whole Church learning and engagement, within a clear timeframe, that will contribute to the Bishops’ discernment of a way forward in relation to these questions. We will certainly be playing our part as a Diocese in that process of learning and engagement – there will be a discussion at Diocesan Synod in 2021, probably at the first meeting in March, but possibly at the second meeting in July if that offers the prospect of a physical face to face meeting and if members believe the benefits of such a meeting outweigh the cost of waiting three more months), after which PCCs will be asked to schedule their own conversations about the material. Even a July meeting of the Diocesan Synod would leave plenty of time for us to contribute on the basis of a wide participation to the major debates that will follow at General Synod. May I encourage each of you to approach the resources in a spirit of humility, grace and generosity, expecting to learn from others and above all from the Holy Spirit who guides us into all truth, and not merely determined to defend your present understanding at all costs. Your prayers meanwhile for the House of Bishops in relation to this discernment process would of course be welcome. Further information about Living in Love and Faith can be found here.

With every blessing,

The Rt Revd Dr

The Rt Revd Bishop of Doncaster