LOVE IN THE TIME OF CORONA is Huddersfield Parish Church’s blog that we’ll be keeping updated with posts from various members of our church in the coming days and weeks. We hope it will help you to stay connected to the church and to each other in this time of physical distancing as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Today’s blog comes from Mike, one of our Churchwardens:

Good morning to all! Though I’m not certain good is quite the right word. As one who is young (at heart), but in the “at risk” group, J and I are physically distancing as Bishop Nick has described it, in order to slow the spread of the corona virus. As I was wondering how we were all going to keep up with news and each other, I thought I’d begin a Blog. I don’t think this should be exclusively for me to do and GB is very happy to receive contributions from others to put on the website as they come in. Here goes.

The HPC staff met on Tuesday morning and we spent quite some time trying to work out what the then latest information meant for us as a church. Having made some initial plans they were all changed by the notification from the Archbishops later that day. It is very sad that the situation requires churches to be closed to worship and other gatherings, but this is necessary. We aim to keep the building open for prayer, but this may yet change in the coming days or weeks.

Paula’s passing has left us with a huge hole to fill, and we still miss her in the office when we need some question or other answered. As you may know VQ has been helping out for a few Tuesdays in the office, but following interviews, she has been appointed to the role of Parish Administrator. She has begun her work in the office, but at certain times in the foreseeable future will be working from home.

We have had notification from the Archdeacon that the Installation will be very low key, fulfilling the legal aspects required, on April 3rd and that in due course a service of welcome and celebration will take place.

As for us, we have reinstituted a milkman to deliver milk and eggs, the Villa Farm shop at Bradley Bar is allowing people to collect pre-ordered veg and other bits, and will deliver locally for orders over £25. This arrangement is untested at the moment. We have tried to arrange delivery of some food through the supermarkets but have found the delivery slots are soon snapped up. This will need some advanced planning to be successful.

Our boys are okay at present, A can work from home if needs be and P is on a short break before returning to work next week. He will, I imagine, be in the thick of it. We had a discussion with my parents on Tuesday, they are keen to retain their carers and meals on wheels, but do understand the risks. Their carers and meals are vital for them to remain at home.

A prayer for all at this time:

God of compassion,
be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation.
In their loneliness, be their consolation;
in their anxiety, be their hope;
in their darkness, be their light;
through him who suffered alone on the cross,
but reigns with you in glory,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.