Special services will be held for victims of virus

THANKSGIVING FOR CARERS ALSO – WHEN WORST IS OVER

SPECIAL church services are to be held to remember people who have died from Covid-19 as well as thanksgiving services for carers and health workers.

As the Church of England declared its intention to hold a national service of mourning and remembrance, Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Rev Martyn Snow, said he would be working with Leicester Cathedral to arrange events at an appropriate time.

Bishop Martyn, pictured, said: “Once it is possible to see that the worst is over and that easing restrictions make planning possible, we will look at what our Cathedral and possibly other churches can do to help our communities remember and mourn their loved ones.

“We also want to properly give thanks for those carers and workers who have sacrificed so much to care for Covid-19 patients, many of whom are from black and minority ethnic heritage and are bravely serving all of us despite facing increased risk of infection.

“Everyone of us in each of our villages, towns and city is impacted by this pandemic in different ways.

“We will go on facing huge personal challenges, both emotional and economic, for months and years to come and moments of unity that allow us to acknowledge our deepest emotions, grief and loss, vulnerability and gratitude are going to be hugely important.

“In our churches, schools and worship communities we are praying daily for those who are ill, people who are grieving, for key workers and for many who are suffering financially.

“We are also trying to help our neighbours in practical ways.

“I am encouraged by the resilience our clergy and leaders are showing in very difficult circumstances where they cannot meet and worship in the usual way, as well as by stories of everyday acts of kindness that people in our church communities are showing as they share Jesus’s love with their neighbours in new and practical ways.”

He said All Souls Day, on November 1, is a time when the Church remembers those who have died and might be when the services happen.

Bishop Stephen Cottrell, who is set to become the next Archbishop of York this summer, said: “At the moment no large national service of remembrance is planned, though it is likely this may happen.

“Many parish churches and cathedrals will be doing something at All

Souls if they can. However, now may not be the time to commit to a certain date.

“Some have suggested something should be done next year on the anniversary of the lockdown beginning.

“The most likely next step is for smaller family commemorations and services for communities.

“The Church of England is preparing worship resources for these services. In the meantime those who are suffering, those who are dying, those who mourn and all those who care for them are prayed for each day.”

The Rev Canon Alison Adams, Sub-Dean at Leicester Cathedral, said: “At Leicester Cathedral we too know both the pain of loss and the dedication of members of our community in frontline roles.

“Gathering together at both times of lament and thanksgiving is an important part of what holds us all together as a community, and our nation has a special reason to remember and give thanks to so many who have made real sacrifices.”