Church hosts 10 services in two days amid Covid-19 challenge

05/10/2020

A church in London has hosted 10 services in just two days in order to comply with Covid-19 social distancing restrictions.
A Bishop and vicar are joined on church steps by congregants Fr Daniel Sandham, Vicar of St Paul’s, Winchmore Hill

St Paul's Winchmore Hill, in North London, church hosted four baptisms, 23 confirmations and saw five people being received into the Church of England in the space of two days - all while complying with physical distancing measures to help limit the spread of the coronavirus. 

In total it saw 350 people pass through its doors during the weekend, according to the Diocese of London. 

The vicar, Fr Daniel Sandham, said: “Our annual celebration of the Christian rites of initiation is one of the highlights of the year at St Paul’s.

"Even though the pandemic delayed that celebration, and meant that we had to do things very differently from normal, it was a powerful reminder that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Jesus Christ.

"It is this love which we seek to proclaim in Winchmore Hill, and it is wonderful that our newly baptised, confirmed and received Christians have responded to God’s call to share in that proclamation.”

Clergy hand holding water filled shell for baptism

Supported by the Bishop of Edmonton, the Rt Revd Rob Wickham, the services were also live-streamed to the church's growing congregation. 

Bishop Rob said: "Much has changed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, but one thing that hasn’t is our commitment to worshipping and serving God, so it was a joy to spend Sunday doing just that with the congregation of St Paul’s, Winchmore Hill.

"They are a shining example of how churches across North London, and the Diocese of London as a whole, have led the way in responding to the crisis with creativity and compassion.”