CHURCHES may be closed but vicars are still reaching out to parishioners.

Despite having to close their doors during the current Covid-19 pandemic, Weymouth churches are using the latest technology to maintain a a virtual form of daily and Sunday worship.

Church leaders are broadcasting Sunday morning services through both Facebook and YouTube in a bid to fill the spiritual void left by people not being able to attend church.

Worshipper Geoff Murray, who attends St Mary's Church in Weymouth, said: "At our church we had activities every day from Monday to Friday for different groups. It was a major blow when churches had to close.

"That's why we've had to fall back on technology. We've already had feedback that it's very much appreciated.

"People are taking up the option to watch the services. I watched two of the services on Sunday and people were commenting that on how great it was and were saying 'keep it up'."

At St. John’s Church, vicar Tom Coopey has installed a camera to stream a morning service via both Facebook and YouTube, using recorded hymns and Bible readings and prayers by his children.

At the Radipole churches of St. Aldhelm’s and St. Anne’s, team rector the Rev. Nick Clarke and his wife Cherry are producing an e-mail bulletin to be distributed every two days, offering a Bible reading, a short reflection and prayers.

Those with a Facebook account can tune in to a short morning service at 9am each day and evening prayers at 9pm led by Curate Matt Renyard.

Neither Emmanuel nor St Mary’s under vicar Jo Haine can offer an electronic streaming service, but she and community chaplain Neil Biles are taking turns to recite the Lord’s Prayer live Monday to Friday on Facebook.

A shortened Sunday morning service is e-mailed or mailed to members of the congregation to perform in their homes, complete with responses, a psalm, hymns, prayers and a reflection.

The Rev Jo Haine says: “We are working hard to ensure we can continue to meet the public need for comfort at this difficult time and to bring us together.”

Those who don't use the internet have not been forgotten, Mr Murray said.

"All the churches have been compiling lists of those who don't have the technology to make sure we're aware of them and can keep in touch with them. We can then keep an eye on anybody who's having a hard time and see what we can do to help," he said.

*You don't need a Facebook account to access the services. Go to facebook.com/stjohnsweymouth/ or facebook.com/radipolechurch/