The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have today announced that Church public worship must be suspended as part of measures to stem the spread of coronavirus. This has never happened before, and we are still coming to terms with the implications.

This means that there will be no services at church on Sundays, which is going to be tremendously challenging for all of us. However it is essential that we continue to be Church for one another and for our Parish, with a particular concern for the vulnerable and those who live alone. We must remain a community that is prayerful and committed to serving and proclaim the good news of the faithful love of God.

If you have access to the internet we are exploring lots of ways of staying in touch, and joining in prayer and worship at facebook.com/barnsburyparish

Join us by placing a Candle in your window each evening as a sign of the light of Christ in the darkness.

Quite how long this is going to last, we simply cannot tell right now. But we can say with confidence that God is faithful, he has never failed those who seek him, and he can bring good even out of something as bleak as this.

A prayer for such a time as this

Keep us, good Lord,
under the shadow of your mercy
in this time of uncertainty and distress.
Sustain and support the anxious and fearful,
and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may rejoice in your comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.