MIKE HILL: Sharing a message from the Bishop of Durham

Nobody able to get out to the seaside or the countryside for a holiday break; nobody even able to go to church during one of the most important public holiday periods in the Christian calendar. These are difficult times, but I know that all our faith communities are pulling together to help people during this crisis. That is why I’m honoured to use this weeks column to publish a message to all of you from my good friend, the Bishop of Durham.

‘Honesty matters always. Somehow it feels like it matters even more when facing our current crisis.

None of us have been here before. So let us be honest. It is tough. None of us is enjoying this. There are moments of fun, shared over the phone via social media, watching, or listening to old favourites on TV or the Radio. But it is tough. The whole business of staying in is hard. Naturally we want to greet people on our daily walk, or our weekly shop. Standing far off feels anti-social.

Yet, currently, it is the most social thing we can do.

In truth, one of the things that has brought a big smile to my face is the way the community has risen together. The brilliant work continuing to get food to people.

The neighbours collecting prescriptions; the volunteers shopping: the great community effort to try to avoid people feeling utterly alone. This is a great sign. It outweighs the negative stories we hear. The majority are behaving very well. A minority still fail to see the seriousness of it all; I hope they will see sense and change.

As Bishop of Durham, Hartlepool is part of my ‘patch.’ I love visiting it. There are great people here. The churches for which I have responsibility have stepped up alongside the wider community.

They are here for you all. We will come through this, although it will take considerable time. When we do, let us commit to keeping this high level of community care and support.

Our churches, following the risen Jesus, will keep serving as part of the whole community.’

Paul Butler. Bishop of Durham. Bishop’s Office. Auckland Castle. Bishop Auckland. Co Durham.

Stay at Home. Protect our NHS. Save lives.