Christmas Services Covid-19 2020-11-26
2020-11-26
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the impact of the pandemic on religious celebrations.
What steps the Church of England is taking to help ensure that people can safely celebrate Advent and Christmas during the covid-19 outbreak?
From 2 December, places of worship can reopen for public worship. Clergy have made their buildings covid-secure and many churches plan to have multiple services to accommodate more people as fewer are allowed in each service. Indoor singing is limited but outdoor and door-to-door singing is permitted, along with nativity plays for under-18s.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q2
Partial Answer
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The MP acknowledges the additional support provided by churches beyond regular services.
I am grateful for my hon. Friend's comments on services, but at Christmas time, the Church does a lot more—it provides support for our communities through financial advice, fuel and food poverty advice and, of course, the social support that is at the heart of it all. With that in mind, what discussions has he had with local and national Government and the Churches to ensure that they can continue to provide that support in a covid-secure way at Christmas?
The Church continues to work through the places of worship taskforce to advise parishes on how to continue providing critical assistance locally. For example, St Peter's in Market Bosworth is supporting the local women's refuge with food and toiletries.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific discussions or commitments are not mentioned
Working With Partners
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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The MP acknowledges the significant efforts of churches during the pandemic.
I thank my hon. Friend for his answer. Once again, churches have done amazingly through this pandemic, continuing with outreach to their communities. I pay tribute to the churches in Penrith and The Border and across the country that enabled remembrance ceremonies to go ahead this year in challenging circumstances. Does he agree that, as churches look to reopen for worship and other activities in the months ahead, targeted Government financial support for them would be a great way to ensure that their vital community work and support can carry on?
The National Churches Trust estimates the economic value of social action at £12.4 billion. The Government has supported 227 churches and cathedrals with the culture recovery fund.
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Assessment & feedback
No mention of targeted financial support for churches
Provided By
Response accuracy
Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP acknowledges the efforts of local churches to ensure low risk of transmission.
I thank my hon. Friend for his answer. Churches in Redcar and Cleveland, such as St Mark's in Marske and St Cuthbert's in Ormesby, have gone above and beyond to ensure that the risk of transmission in churches is low. They are a place for people of all faiths and none to find peace in what has been an incredibly difficult eight months. Unfortunately, Advent Sunday this year will fall inside the lockdown, but I am grateful that the Government have said that churches can reopen for the rest of Advent from 2 December. What message does the Church Commissioner have for those churches in Redcar and Cleveland in the approach to Christmas?
The closure of churches is not something that any of us ever wants to see again. My hon. Friend's constituents will follow the advice of the Archbishop of Canterbury: to come to church in person or virtually and to spend time with their wider families in a safe and responsible way.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy