The Diocese of Chester will join together with other dioceses in the Church of England, Marie Curie, Hope UK, Care for the Family, Ataloss and many charities and organisations across the UK, on Tuesday 23 March for a National Day of Reflection to commemorate the first anniversary of the nationwide coronavirus lockdown.
Chester Cathedral will be open to individuals and family groups to come and pray and will hold a service at 5.30pm in the Quire and streamed on YouTube for everybody who would welcome it for personal reflection. A small number of seats at the service are also available to book.
The Dean of Chester, Tim Stratford, says: “The covid-19 pandemic has changed our world and the way we live our lives in dramatic ways and it will continue to do so for years to come. Identifying the first anniversary of lockdown in England as a National Day of Reflection gives us an opportunity to look forward with hope.”
As well as the service, Chester Cathedral is also installing a spiral sculpture in the nave for four weeks to encourage prayer and reflection born out of the experience of lockdown.
See the Cathedral website to book your tickets
DailyHOPE continues: 0800 804 8044
Did you know the Church of England’s free-to-call DailyHOPE telephone line continues? In the last year, 50,000 people have spent over 5 million minutes using the service. As the roadmap out of Government restrictions comes into place, we know that many will experience heightened social anxiety and feelings of concern at their vulnerability. This is why DailyHOPE will continue to provide a service to connect those who might otherwise be entirely isolated. The line continues with its reflections, hymns and daily services as well as specialist content which seeks to bring the comfort and encouragement of Christ’s presence to each caller.
Around the country, other places of worship will welcome members of the public.
York Minster will welcome people for prayer, quiet reflection and to light candles for family, friends and loved ones. The Minster will open at 11.30am and fall silent at 12 noon for a national one minute silence.
Commenting on the day, the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell says: “As we look back on the sorrows and difficulties of the past year and remember those who have died and those who have suffered so much, we also give thanks for the care we have received through our health service, but also in many other ways, not least the care we have been able to show each other in our local communities. On this day of national reflection and remembrance, we pray for a more just and caring world beyond the horrors of Covid”.
Marie Curie is one of the key partners and has produced resources and advice on how to mark the National Day of Reflection. Find them here.
The Church of England has also produced prayers and resources which you can find here.
Watch Marie Curie's television ad promoting the day.