Technology keeps worshippers in touch as Bishop's Stortford's churches go digital
Bishop's Stortford's churches have gone digital to deal with coronavirus restrictions.
Clive Weir, chairman of the town's Churches Together group, said: "Church buildings have been closed and normal services suspended in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
"But that doesn't mean Bishop's Stortford churches have stopped working. Far from it, most have embraced online channels to continue to serve our locked-down town.
"For some, this is nothing new. Many churches have been using digital channels for years to reach people who can't physically get to church. Visit the websites of St Michael's, St James, the Baptists or Havers Community Church, for example, and you will find recordings of Sunday sermons for you to listen to whenever you like.
"With the more tech-savvy churches such as the Charis Centre-based Community Church, you get video as well, and the Roman Catholic Church of St Joseph and the English Martyrs regularly livestreams its masses.
He said: "No longer an add-on, online video platforms are suddenly front and centre of church life. You can link up with church members via YouTube, Facebook, Instagram or Zoom video conferencing, depending on the church. Even technophobe worshippers are finding out that it's not so scary after all."
One St Michael's parishioner said: "I'd never heard of Zoom before. It's enabled us to join together regularly for worship and fellowship. It's been very helpful."
Clive added: "Regular emails make sure that church members are kept informed and encouraged. Not that those who cannot use the internet are being ignored. Regular telephone calls make sure that their needs are not forgotten.
"We are finding new ways of worshipping and praying together, on Sundays and during the week. This online and telephone support for one another helps people feel connected during this time of isolation, since we can keep well informed of one another's needs plus that of the wider community. This can only be good for the church.
"Ultimately it doesn't matter if our buildings are closed because the real church is not a building but a community of people."
Churches Together Bishop's Stortford represents neighbouring Windhill churches St Michael's and St Joseph's, Holy Trinity and the Methodist Church in South Street, the United Reformed Church in Water Lane, All Saints at Hockerill and the Baptist Church at Twyford Road.
It also includes Bishop's Stortford Community Church at the Charis Centre in Water Lane, the Salvation Army, Havers Community Church, the Vineyard Church which meets at Birchwood High School, the Hub Church in Portland Road and St James the Great at Thorley.
