Dear all,

Do you remember the time BC? That is, do you remember how things were ‘before Covid’? Last month marked the 5^th anniversary since we were told that we must ‘stay at home’, and ‘protect the NHS’.  I remember that in March 2020 St Mary’s was about to host a long-awaited visit to Barnard Castle by the Trinity College Cambridge Choir. The choir was scheduled to run a number of singing workshops in local schools and then to give a concert at church. Our plans disintegrated as the Cheltenham Races highlighted the anxiety people were feeling about meeting in large groups. Within days (for good or ill) church doors were locked against worshippers and indeed all those seeking sanctuary.  At Easter the Archbishop celebrated Communion on TV from his kitchen in Lambeth Palace.

We all said that Covid would enable us to reassess the things that are important to us. I suspect our energy for that deep reassessment dissipated as the months went on and the ‘lockdowns’ came and went yet Barnard Castle is growing as a result of folk moving North: post-Covid decisions perhaps prompting a search for life in a stronger community?   Some areas of life changed forever. Take funerals for example: Few crematoria employ an organist anymore; photo tributes are common; music for reflection has replaced congregational participation in singing hymns; some cremations take place with no one present. The ‘Direct Cremation’ (so feared as being impersonal in Covid) is now marketed as a choice by the Funeral Industry. Other issues still haunt us: More people struggle with their mental health, more people live with chronic illness, we still haven’t addressed the needs of adult social care, fewer people volunteer than BC, our common life (nationally) seems fragile.

After the initial shock of lockdown, creativity abounded during Covid! Remember how our church life went online and sustained its common life over Zoom. Our musicians recorded hymns for us even though we weren’t allowed to join in singing with them. Digitally, the whole country made huge strides forwards. Simple things like being able to order your take-away online came out of the Covid period and are now taken for granted. Work patterns for many people changed. ‘Working from home’ is an attractive option for many that didn’t used to exist, yet we are perhaps more aware now of our need to be with others, to foster deeper relationships of care and respect.

Where did those 5 years go? Have your hopes for the time ‘post-Covid’ been realized? As we celebrate the trauma of Holy Week and the joy of Easter five years on from Covid, as we anticipate the coming of the Spirit  may we entrust ourselves again to the good purposes of God and pray for his healing and empowering presence to continue to bless our town and community.

Alec