St Martin-in-the-Fields church in central London is to broadcast a national online service to mark the start of Advent this weekend as the nation prepares for a Christmas ‘like no other’ amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Church of England and the Children’s Society are inviting everyone to join us for the first ever online National Christingle Service.

The Church of England has launched its annual Christmas film, with a message of Comfort and Joy after a year like no other.

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York, together with the Bishop of London, have joined national faith leaders in calling on the Government to permit public worship during the forthcoming lockdown in England. 

During the Christmas period, which would ordinarily see nearly 6 million people attend church buildings, Churches, chapels and cathedrals across the country are adopting a range of measures to allow people to come together as church, either virtually or in person.

As the latest Government guidance set out steps for reopening of church buildings for individual private prayer, and also for organ practice which is now permitted, the Church of England together with the Royal School of Church Music has encouraged the Government to be proactive in ensuring music-making can resume in church buildings, once it is safe to do so. 

UK faith leaders have called on the Government to ensure its economic recovery plan does not bypass care for the Environment

The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, has welcomed the opportunity for people nationally to respond to an independent review on Government engagement with faith communities, which will help to shape relationships now and in the future. 

Farmers, lorry drivers and supermarket workers who helped keep food on our plates during Covid-19 pandemic will participate in the Church of England’s national service this week.

The diocese of London is still alive and active but must close buildings in London.