Local Communities Covid-19

2020-11-26

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer

▸ Context

The question arises from the significant involvement of churches in supporting communities during the pandemic, as highlighted by the Archbishop of York. The GRA:CE Project report and the National Churches Trust's “The House of Good” report have documented this extensive support.

What steps has the Church of England taken to support local communities throughout the covid-19 outbreak?

Andrew Selous

The Archbishop of York has noted that the Church has been 'astonishingly present' with over 35,000 active community projects. The GRA:CE Project report by Theos and the Church Urban Fund documents this extensive involvement. The National Churches Trust's “The House of Good” report estimates parishes contribute around £12.4 billion of social good to the English economy.

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Q2 Direct Answer

David Amess

▸ Context

In Sir David's constituency, churches have been delivering essential services like food and medicine to vulnerable people. The question seeks recognition of this invaluable work.

I know that my hon. Friend would agree with me that at this particular time our churches are more important than ever. Certainly in my constituency, they do remarkable work—for instance, with the Southend night shelters—and during the coronavirus pandemic, they have been delivering food and medicines to vulnerable people. Will my hon. Friend please tell the House what the Church is doing to thank local churches and to celebrate their work?

Andrew Selous

I thank my hon. Friend for his question, and he is absolutely right that we all owe a huge debt of gratitude to clergy and parish workers who have worked extraordinarily hard throughout the pandemic. In Southend West, at Saint Saviour's Westcliff, the congregation host a food bank and collect prescriptions and deliver food to those unable to leave their homes. The Church of England encourages all congregations to continue supporting vulnerable and lonely people over Christmas.