Coronavirus: Melton church services streamed online due to restrictions

In a remarkable initiative not seen before in the town, churches were determined to reach members despite the government ordering them to close their doors to limit the spread of the Covid-19 bug.

Melton team rector, the Rev Kevin Ashby, led a live broadcast to parishioners on Sunday using the video conferencing app, Zoom.

A post on the parish website reads: “There were a few hiccups, but that was only to be expected as we navigate our way around the Zoom app.

“Special thanks also to James Gutteridge for playing music for us.

“It was good to see so many of our congregation (on a screen at least) in these worrying times of self isolation and a similar service is planned for next Sunday (Palm Sunday) April 5.”

Melton Vineyard Church and Melton Mowbray Baptist Church are now delivering weekly video podcasts via their YouTube channels and websites.

Speaking about the way churches had reacted to coronavirus restrictions, Neil Swettenham, pastor at Melton Vineyard church, said: “We have all had to come up with new ways of connecting with people, using the digital resources available to us.”

Additionally, Sage Cross and Sandy Lane Methodist Churches are using their websites to post short video reflections and links to Methodist services which are being live-streamed nationally.

Similarly, the Catholic Parish of St John the Baptist website is directing worshippers to online services, both live-streamed and recorded.

Melton Mowbray United Reformed Church with Freeby, along with other churches, is offering personal prayer support via their website.

In a spirit of togetherness, preachers posted a joint video message of hope to the town on the Churches Together in Melton Mowbray Facebook page and website.

Individual church members are also volunteering in the community in a variety of ways.

Storehouse food bank, operated by Melton Vineyard Church, is partnering with Melton Borough Council’s crisis team to ensure vital food supplies continue to reach the most vulnerable, especially those who are self-isolating.

Breathing Space, a confidential community listening service which normally operates from the Hope Centre in Nottingham Street, has begun offering listening sessions online and by phone.

And members from all of the churches are active alongside many others in the community, offering practical support to neighbours.

Alternative arrangements have also been made for the traditionally busy period of worship over the upcoming Easter holidays, with isolation restrictions remaining in place.

Instead of the usual Good Friday Walk of Witness and open-air service in the Market Place on April 10, Churches Together Melton will be offering two special online resources.

One is a collection of Good Friday prayers with an invitation to join together in praying for the nation at 3pm and the other is an online re-telling of the Passion story from the Gospel of Matthew.

Both of these will be available on the day from the Churches Together Facebook page and website.

Anyone who would appreciate prayer support during this difficult time or would like to access any of the resources mentioned above is asked to go online to www.ctimm.org where they can find contact details for all member churches of Churches Together.