3 March 2021 • 12:01am
St John s Church, in Stanmore, which stands beside the ruins of the church it replaced
Credit: andrew crowley
SIR – Since March 2020 I have worked almost without a break, holding live morning prayers, quizzes, virtual services and much more online. The diocese has been consumed by the challenges of Covid-19.
What do the parishes need at this time of crisis? They don’t need to be put under more financial pressure from the centre; they don’t need to be discussing sexuality; they don’t need diocesan consultations.
I am rector of three parishes with a combined population of about 11,500 people. I oversee three beautiful listed buildings, one of which has just required maintenance costing more than £60,000.