26th March Update

We are all trying to adjust to the new situation in which we now find ourselves. We thought you might find it useful to read some insights which David Ison, the Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, has shared from a group which worked on a three-year project on trauma and tragedy in Christian congregations:

This crisis is traumatic for communities, the nation, the world. It’s not a shock-event like a fire or a terrorist attack, but a slow-building crisis – a crisis that shatters our assumptions that the world is generally safe and reliable, and that all that we’ve worked for in businesses, churches and communities will be fruitful. The loss of security and hope, the breaking down of supportive connections between people, and the fear that this crisis is overwhelming – all of these are characteristics of trauma.

Some of the wisdom that has been gained about trauma recently can help:

a) Our whole selves are affected – we may feel all sorts of strange symptoms, because our body is reacting to the fact that we don’t feel safe. Concentration and sleep may be difficult. We feel distracted, and find it hard to cope. Emotions will be all over the place in surprising ways. Knowing that in traumatic situations it’s normal to be up, down, energetic, exhausted, afraid – will help us to cope with it.

b) People react very differently, depending on different backgrounds and experiences, including past traumas. We need to be kind and understanding to others, and also to ourselves.

c) We respond best when we have clear, reliable information; when we have something practical that we can do; and when we can be connected to others, if not in person then by phone or through social media, T V and radio.

d) We make sense of things by making them part of our story – the story of our own life, and the stories of our communities and of our world. But this takes time. While the trauma is unfolding and we continue to experience the pain of losing what we once had, it’s very hard to make sense of it. We need to remember that holding on together is how we’ll eventually be able to come through and look back on what we’ve experienced.

Communities (and individuals) typically respond to disaster by first going through a ‘heroic phase’, full of energy and self-sacrifice. This eventually burns itself out, and is followed by a ‘disillusionment phase’, which may contain much mutual blame and suspicion. Only as the disillusionment phase loses its force can realistic, hopeful rebuilding take place.

This is a very confusing and draining time, a time when ordinary healthy rhythms are lost. We may be feeling in our minds and bodies the impact of trauma – feeling low and anxious one day when it’s hard to get your brain in gear, energetic the next day, and all at a time when we need to be able to change and adapt to unusual events. So taking care of ourselves and our own well-being is vital. That includes the basics of good rest, eating, and exercise. It also includes as far as possible having people we trust whom we can share with, and being in touch with them.

We pray you will know the comfort of the Holy Spirit in this difficult time, and know more of the Father’s love for us.  Thank you for all that you are continuing to do in your communities.Dear friends*

One of the things we have been hearing from many people recently is how grateful they are to be in contact with others.  We hope that, through new and different means, you are also feeling connected, both practically and in the unity of the Spirit.

25th March Update

We recognise that yesterday’s announcement about the closure of churches came as a shock to many.  The buildings in which we worship are icons of God’s faithfulness to our communities throughout centuries, and a focus of our communal life, so it is painful to think of them empty, especially at this time of year. 

There has been some confusion about this decision, in part because some government advice (now being corrected) indicated that churches could remain open for private prayer, or for the recording or streaming of services.  Both national and diocesan FAQs have been updated to make it clear that our church buildings should remain closed.  The government has requested that we all stay at home unless it is absolutely necessary to leave for certain limited purposes.  Our responsibility as churches, leaders and as Christians, is to model that for our friends and neighbours, expressing our solidarity with the vulnerable and those who are working to care for them by taking these extra precautions.

Obviously, this is also a disappointment to those who had made plans and preparations for recording from the church buildings in which their communities are accustomed to worshipping.  Ministers are being asked to record and live-stream prayer and worship from their homes where they are able to do so.  The Bishop has given permission to priests to celebrate Holy Communion from their homes, with details in the diocesan FAQs.

Many churches have been enquiring about volunteering.  As a national programme of volunteer help for those in need begins to take shape, we encourage you again to support foodbanks, and invite willing volunteers to check this link for opportunities .

We continue to pray for you in yet another new phase of adjustments.  May the peace of the Lord be with you.

Bishop Tim, Bishop David and Bishop Debbie

And the Bishop’s Staff Team:

Andrew Robinson, Diocesan Chief Executive

Catherine Ogle, Dean of Winchester

Peter Rouch, Archdeacon of Bournemouth

Richard Brand, Archdeacon of Winchester

Mat Phipps, Bishop’s Chaplain