ON MARCH 29 more than 1,500 people watched the Bishop of Winchester’s first online service, enabling them to participate in Sunday worship despite church buildings across the country closing due to coronavirus.

Bishop Tim broadcast the service from his home in Winchester to help Christians across Hampshire and East Dorset feel part of a worshipping community, despite social distancing restrictions.

In his sermon, Bishop Tim offered a message of hope to his virtual congregation and he asked them to pray for all those who are lonely, unwell, or separated from loved ones during this challenging time.

Bishop Tim said: "I was very encouraged by the response to my first online service, and it is heartening that so many people were able to be part of this virtual congregation on Sunday. Throughout the Diocese, parishes have quickly adapted to new ways of reaching our communities."

Across the Diocese, many other members of the clergy were also using new means to connect with their congregations.

In vicarages across Hampshire and East Dorset, kitchens and front rooms were transformed into recording studios on Sunday as priests live-streamed services directly from their homes.

Area Dean of the Winchester deanery, the Reverend Karen Kousseff, was one of many who used video-conferencing to lead her usual service.

She explained the importance of virtual services: "We had 70 people take part in our service on Sunday morning on Zoom, including nine listening via their landline phones. People found it really moving and comforting to see all the familiar names and it made them feel connected again. We all gained some comfort and reassurance on Sunday."

You can watch Bishop Tim’s Sunday service here: https://www.youtube.com/user/CofEWinchester/.

The services, along with other resources to help people remain connected, will be available on the Diocese of Winchester’s website: https://www.winchester.anglican.org/