REV MICHAEL BRANDSMA GIVES HIS NORMAL SUNDAY ADDRESS VIA FACEBOOK LIVE

ATHERSTONE and district have been told to "give themselves a clap" for their show of solidarity while separated through the Covid-19 lockdown.

In a special Easter message of support, the town's Anglican vicar has praised the whole community for its "show of solidarity" while being apart from one another.

The Rev Michael Brandsma is planning to deliver his normal Sunday sermon on the unlikely channel of Facebook Live.

Church leaders have found themselves having to use social media to spread the word as their buildings have been closed since the beginning of the month in the Government lockdown.

St Mary's vicar, the Rev Michael Brandsma, will be offering a still small voice of calm on one of the most important days in the Christian calendar when the resurrection of Jesus is celebrated by millions across the world.

He plans to 'go live' at 10.30am this morning – when the church would normally be open for Sunday worship.

And he told Nub News how uplifting the strength of townsfolk has been in these unprecedented times.

He said: "As buildings stand empty, the congregations have been out in the community.

"The parish of Atherstone has been no different. The community has drawn together in wonderful support of each other.

"The butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker have all shouldered the call to separation and isolation.

"Although apart the residents of Athertsone have supported each other with amazing show of solidarity.

"You need to give yourselves a clap."

His comments come as data from public health app Evergreen Life suggests people are taking social distancing measures more seriously by staying at home, Areas which last weekend were reporting comparatively high levels of rule-breaking have largely changed their ways.

The data is based on almost 75,000 responses from 34,444 app users.

The Rev Brandsma added: "Today much of the world acknowledges and celerbrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

"With most of commerce shut down, all church buildings silent and many streets empty, we can still rejoice and shout it from the broad band, That Christ is risen, Alleluia, He is Risen indeed!"

You can join the service on St Mary's Church Facebook page.

Mancetter vicar the Rev Linda Mudd has sent out a Facebook message for today.

She posted: "Happy Easter to all the church family at St. Peter's, to our community in Mancetter and family and friends beyond – divided yet United through our Lord's glorious resurrection. Alleluia."

One tradition that will be missing this Sunday is the ringing of church bells.

The Rev Brandsma said he would miss it but there was a need to "show solidarity" with the rest of the country by observing social distancing regulations.

There won't be church bells on Easter Sunday for only the second time in more than 800 years.

Strict new rules imposed by the Government mean that the UK's estimated 40,000 ringers will not work tomorrow – because of the spread of coronavirus.

It will be the first silence since the Second World War – which was itself the first enforced hush since 1213.

Vicki Chapman, spokesperson for the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers said: "It is hugely disappointing but the bells belong to the church and it has been decided that ringing them would mean people making journeys that are not considered necessary.

"Easter is one of the most important times for the church and congregations however we must all follow the rules. But we are looking forward to getting back into churches – and making a noise."

The Atherstone and Mancetter churches have taken their lead on providing online messages from the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby who is set to deliver his usual Easter sermon by video.

Meanwhile, an MP has questioned why churches are being forced to keep their doors closed on Easter Sunday while off-licences will be allowed to open.

Jack Lopresti, the Conservative representative for Filton and Bradley Stoke, wrote to the Government to ask them to reconsider allowing to open "for private prayer".

However, his open letter to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has led to criticism, and one bishop said "God always does a door-to-door service".

Mr Lopresti wrote to Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick calling for a temporary relaxing of restrictions "allowing for people to attend church to engage in private prayer while observing social distancing".

He wrote: "If the Government allows for me to go to an off-licence, a takeaway, or a local shop on Easter Sunday, providing I observe social distancing or take other necessary precautions, why can I not go to Church and say a prayer, providing I do the same?"