Worshippers will still be able to “attend” church when confined to their homes, albeit through virtual services screened on television.
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP Andrew Bowie wrote to the BBC’s director general, Tony Hall, to ask whether a televised Sunday service would help those hardest hit by self-isolation measures amid the national shutdown of kirk gatherings.
In his letter, Mr Bowie wrote: “It struck me this morning, on hearing church bells, that this age group are also the most likely to be churchgoers.
“The prevention of their being able to attend church will have a massive impact on their social and mental wellbeing over the next period.
“I wondered if a small way that the BBC might support these people might be to programme a televised church service on Sunday mornings so as to give those who are unable to attend, due to age or infirmity, a semblance of normality — and access to their faith which might be withdrawn from them due to the circumstances.”
This year's @churchscotland General Assembly, which would normally have taken place in May, has been cancelled in the light of the COVID-19 outbreak.https://t.co/SDvlMUpDx4
— Crown Court Church (@CrownCourtChrch) March 19, 2020
And in an update, BBC One has announced it has taken heed of Mr Bowie’s suggestion, and is launching a virtual church service.
It will take place on Sunday mornings across local radio in England, initially led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.
And yesterday when contacted by the Press and Journal, BBC Scotland said it had plans to follow suit on its special Scottish channel.
A spokesman said: “As part of our public service remit, BBC Scotland is now planning to provide a weekly Sunday church service, along with other religious content on both TV and Radio Scotland for our viewers and listeners.
“The aim is to start this weekend.”
Last night, Mr Bowie said: “This will help so many people, including the older part of the population who will be finding it so tough to stay indoors.”
Meanwhile, churches have joined together in Scotland to sign a letter commending the Call for a National Day of Prayer in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Taking place tomorrow, people of faith are being encouraged to light a candle and place it in their window at 7pm.
The following prayer can be used when lighting the candle:
For all that is good in life, thank you,
For the love of family and friends, thank you,
For the kindness of good neighbour and Samaritan stranger, thank you.
May those who are vulnerable, hungry or homeless, experience support,
May those who are sick, know healing,
May those who are anxious or bereaved, sense comfort.
Bless and guide political leaders and decision-makers, with wisdom,
Bless and guide health workers and key workers, with strength and well-being, Bless and guide each one of us, as we adapt to a new way of living.
And may the light shining from our windows,
across road and wynd, glen and ben, kyle and isle,
be reflected in our hearts and hands and hopes.
