Polishing the chancel behind locked doors
SIR – Our 12th-century church is extremely busy all year round, with tourists, services and weddings. Now that it is closed because of coronavirus, we have been able to give it a thorough clean.
Having spent five hours scrubbing and polishing the chancel, I have to say I wish I was a Methodist – all clean lines and no fiddly bits.
Tricia Camm
Whitby, North Yorkshire
SIR – My husband and I totally agree with the Rev David Ackerman (Letters, April 3) and Peter Laverick (Letters, April 4): church doors should remain open for singleperson visits.
Church leaders should at least be encouraging ringers to chime support for all those people risking their lives for us. Bell ringers all over the country – let’s hear you next Thursday at 8pm.
For the past two weeks, this has happened in our small village. The villagers have listened, and it has raised spirits.
Jean Stammers
Swinford, Leicestershire
SIR – Has the Rev David Ackerman, who intends to open his church on Good Friday, not seen the suffering Covid-19 causes, and the selfless work of those in the essential services? Has he not read in the Gospel of the humility of Jesus?
Pilate at least washed his hands. Rev Margaret Hayward Weston-super-mare, Somerset
SIR – Patrick Williams (Letters, April 2) is right: if supermarkets can open, so too can churches.
On a Sunday before the closedown, there were just three of us in our beloved church (normally there are around 200), but about 50 shopping in the local Marks & Spencer.
Geoff Dickman
Maldon, Essex