How churches are responding to COVID-19

Stories of hope from across the Diocese about how people are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and sharing God's love in their local communities.

In this section:

Church is a Beacon of Hope in the Heart of Breckland

Lockdown has been a very busy time for the team at St. Mary’s Watton. During the past 10 months the church has been involved in ongoing activities supporting the local communities. The Revd Michaela Sørensen, Curate St. Mary’s Church Watton, reports.

Christ Church crafters create a quilt of kindness

A creative women’s group at Christ Church in Eaton came together to make a ‘Quilt of Kindness’ to help people reflect on the kindness being displayed during the lockdown. Now that it is finished, members of the group reflect on the highlights of the project as well as what they want to do with it next.

‘Looking After Ludham’ in the Waterside Benefice

Churchwarden Ken Grapes and Authorised Worship Assistant Christine Wall tell us about the creation of the volunteer group 'Looking After Ludham' and of the services of worship that are taking place whilst their lovely old church is closed.

City centre café to re-open

St Stephen's Church Café in the Norwich city centre is re-opening on the 27 July with the necessary measures in place to ensure it is COVID-secure.

Doing and being church in Heacham – in a time of COVID

Vicar of Heacham Parish Church, the Revd Veronica Wilson and administrator Penny Taylor write about 100 days since lockdown began, reflecting on what has opened up as the church building closed up.

Sprowston connects with their community on all frequencies

Like many churches, Sprowston Parish has been making the most of modern technology to keep in contact with their community - even taking to the radio! The Revd Dean Akrill explains.

‘Exile’ in Raveningham and Waveney

The churches in the Raveningham and Waveney benefices have worked to navigate the world of church in lockdown while keeping as many people included as possible. The Revd David Smith explains.

Working together in King’s Lynn

Over the last year, the congregations of St John's Church in King's Lynn and North Lynn Methodist Church had been asking themselves how they could work "with" their community, and not just "for" them? The lock-down has, quite unexpectedly, helped them to explore this question, as the Revd Becca Rogers explains.

Being a Godsend in Barnham Broom and Upper Yare

"We are fortunate to serve a group of parishes who are already very good at looking after each other, but the unprecedented circumstances of the lockdown have brought out the best in all of our communities," says Rector Revd Dr Timothy Weatherstone and Curate Revd Dr Louisa Pittman.

A beacon of hope, prayer and practical care in Aylsham

Aylsham Parish Church has long been at the heart of its community and has continued to be so in imaginative ways during the COVID-19 pandemic. Curate, the Revd Jack Branford, tells us more.

Surprised by God – reflections on church during COVID

The Revd Canon Catherine Dobson, Rector of the Coastal Group, shares her reflections on leading her group of churches through this pandemic.

Kenninghall parish church at the centre of its community

St Mary's Church stands in the centre of Kenninghall village in the Breckland district with a population of just under 1,000 and is very much at the centre of its community’s life too. The Revd Canon Lorraine Summers tells us of some of the things they have been doing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Christ Church in Norwich throws open its virtual doors

Christ Church in Eaton, Norwich, has reinvented its worshipping life so as to provide a relevant service to the local community during the current lockdown. The parish team reports.

Good neighbours in the Wroxham Benefice

Rector the Revd Liz Jump and Curate the Revd Tracy Jessop share their churches' responses and experiences from reaching out practically and pastorally in the Wroxham Benefice during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Being a church of living hope in Gorleston

St Mary's, the parish church for the Magdalen Estate in Gorleston, known locally as #churchonthemag, has been unswerving in its practical and pastoral support to the local community during the COVID-19 crisis.

“Essentials Bundles” scheme in Gaywood

St Faith's Church in Gaywood, King's Lynn, has been working in partnership with local supermarkets to provide "essential bundles" for vulnerable people in their community, along with vital telephone chat support.

Loving our neighbours – St Thomas Norwich reaches out

The Love Your Neighbour Team at St Thomas Norwich church is supporting people who have been impacted by Covid-19 who may be self-isolating, unable to get out or are vulnerable, by picking up prescriptions, shopping, telephone support and prayer

Ludham churches and council – partners in support

Ludham Churches Together in association with Ludham Parish Council are providing a food and drink ordering and delivery service for villagers, including the collection of prescriptions.

Sprowston church offers food to needy families

St Cuthbert’s Church, Sprowston, is offering to deliver food to local families facing a desperate shortage due to the current Covid-19 restrictions.

The Picnic Project – delivering food parcels

Norwich Christian community project Equipping and Nurturing Young People (ENYP) continues to deliver thousands of ‘picnic bags’ of fresh food during the coronavirus period to those in need across the city.

Wells churches set up telephone call line

Wells Churches Together has set up a call-line for anyone in Wells-next-the-Sea and surrounding villages who needs a friendly voice to talk to during the coronavirus crisis.

Yare Valley Churches supporting the community

Churches in the Brundall and Blofield area, together with local councils and community groups and the local hardware shop have teamed up to provide community support during the coronavirus crisis.

Martham’s Big stay at home VE Day picnic

The parish church in Martham is joining with villagers to celebrate the forthcoming VE Day in style with a stay at home picnic and a live streamed act of remembrance and prayers of thanksgiving.

Filling the Gap

In the grip of the coronavirus pandemic, the idea for the ‘Filling the Gap’ project was initiated by Bishop Graham with the intention of helping alleviate food poverty for families during the summer holidays through the provision of food hampers.

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