Church visiting in a pandemic

Church visiting in a pandemic

As I write this, churches are slowly beginning to open up for private prayer and for worship in the aftermath of the Covid 19 pandemic.

On the face of it it isn’t a good time to visit churches but they do deserve our prayers and our support at this very difficult time. I offer these pictures as a record of what is going on.

I have been to St. Peter & St. Paul in Fakenham, Norfolk. It is a church I have visited before but things are very different at the moment. For a start, the main door isn’t open. I was greeted by the sign above and went around to the chancel.

Another sign set out what was happening.

Inside, only the chancel was open, and this was set out for private prayer – with some good ideas on a sheet to be taken away. Chairs were set out well apart.

Another example is at Little Walsingham – a place usually busy with visitors and pilgrims in the summer. This year is very different. The Shrine is only open from 10am – 3pm .

St. Mary and All Saints Church was open but many things had been moved away. It was still possible to light a candle but there were no prayer cards etc – there is usually a good display here.

Also, the pews have signs to indicate where to sit.

All very different!