Pestilence is a biblical scourge that afflicts the world once more. Yet whereas, in a pre-scientific age, infectious disease was attributed to divine disfavour, its physical causes are now understood. When Christians gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus, they do so under voluntarily observed constraints, to stop the spread of infection, that are scarcely less onerous than those that applied at Christmas in 2020.Everyone has undergone worry and hardship since the emergence of a novel coronavirus almost two years ago. Many have suffered tragedy. Today it is worth reflecting on the sacrifices made by Christians in this crisis. They have found their ability to worship curtailed, even to the point of the closure of churches for much of last year. This has not stopped congregations throughout the nation from doing their utmost to alleviate hardship and help those who are isolated and grieving. They will know, too, the still worse fate of Christian populations worldwide that are facing severe repression. Not only respect but gratitude is due to them, from fellow citizens of all faiths and none.Church leaders, notably Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, have weathered objections during the crisis for supposedly being too willing to acquiesce to secular demands to abandon collective worship. The criticisms are misplaced. As the great Protestant ethicist Reinhold Niebuhr wrote, concerning the social obligations of the churches: “Sometimes we must prefer a larger good to a smaller one, without the hope that the smaller one will be preserved in the larger one.”The larger good, during the pandemic, has been to protect the vulnerable. Discharging this commitment has often come at the cost of the spiritual nourishment and sense of communal belonging that Christians derive from collective worship, including hymns and the Eucharist. Yet congregations have embraced this civic obligation. In doing so, they have not only followed the counsel of the archbishop and other church leaders, but adopted the selfless example of the head of the Church of England. The Queen, through example rather than exhortation, made a decisive intervention in the campaign to get people vaccinated. And even at the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh, her husband of 73 years, she observed the requirements of social distancing, though everyone would have understood if she had required the solace of a companion by her side.The church has long shown a scrupulous concern for public health amid crisis and catastrophe. In the wake of the Quarantine Act 1721, designed to contain the spread of plague, a London curate called Thomas Lewis issued a pamphlet urging that the dead no longer be interred in churches (a practice that provided a healthy revenue stream for parishes). Lewis and his contemporaries knew nothing of the germ theory of disease, and hence of how viruses spread, but he understood perfectly that Christian discipleship requires adapting customs to safeguard the living.
Previously an electronics engineer, and then a church leader for 30 years, Ewen Huffman was seconded to the Diocese of Bath and Wells in January 2020 and appointed as Chaplain on the site of the new Hinkley Point C (HPC) power station in Somerset. The workforce at HPC is a diverse community of more than 5,000 people – predominantly male, and younger and more multiethnic than the surrounding areas on the Somerset coast.As Chaplain, Ewen (see photo) is there for everyone, of all faiths and none, providing spiritual leadership amid a pressured workforce and drawing together people together across boundaries, nationalities, beliefs, and religions. Ewen’s presence also offers the opportunity to bring faith into the workplace. He has held ceremonies of prayer before tunneling and concrete pours and provided a pastoral presence and spiritual support in times of trouble. “People are spiritual beings,” he explained.“Even the people who say they are irreligious at times want me to pray with them, and they want to receive a blessing and the peace.” Throughout the pandemic, Ewen’s role has been for the most part centred on supporting a workforce “trying to find their life and rhythms during Covid.”“I’m a mate for the journey,” he said.“I’m big into building friendships, it’s a privilege to get to be there for people when they have a significant need and to get to talk with them about spiritually significant things.”
A GROUNDBREAKING scheme to support young people in Bolton at key stages of their lives is set to be rolled out across Greater Manchester thanks to a £4.2m grant.Schools in Bolton have been piloting Manchester Diocese’s Children Changing Places Project to offer support to children, young people and their families, at key points of transition in their lives, like when children start primary school and move on to secondary school — providing pastoral and spiritual care for children.School leaders say this has been invaluable during the pandemic. Among the schools taking part are St James’ CE High in Farnworth, Canon Slade School in Bradshaw and Bolton St Catherine’s Academy in Harwood, which fall under the Bishop Fraser Trust. Pupils from Bishop Bridgeman Primary have also been involved.Tania Lewyckyj , trust chief executive, said: “Over two years ago, the Bishop Fraser Trust schools were delighted to be part of a pilot for the new initiative ‘Children Changing Places Project’.“The project aimed to engage children, young people and families, across Bolton, in activity that creates new discipleship pathways and supports the growth of the Christian faith in schools, parishes and the home.“A key focus of the project was to build strong links between the home, church and school, to nurture and encourage a child in their faith, from toddler group or nursery, through primary and secondary education, and beyond.“The chaplaincy assistants’ work has been fantastic, especially in a time of pressure on pastoral support during the pandemic. Alongside our chaplains, they have supported transition from primary to secondary, enabling young people to access pastoral and spiritual care and mentoring, at school.“The chaplaincy assistants are an integral part of the school teams, fostering strong relationships with young people and adults, and influencing the Christian culture of the school. In addition, each chaplaincy assistant is on placement within the local parish, developing and growing youth ministry. It is excellent the church commissioners have recognised the value of such a project and are extending funding to support this vital work in other areas.”
