Page 12 - Colour Test Magazine

Reflections on the Interregnum

There is much debate in the A letter to one newspaper reads:
newspapers currently on proposals “If you cut off the connecting roots
for how the Church of England may to a tree, no matter how rich the soil
look in the years to come following the tree becomes top heavy and will
the, so far, year-long pandemic fall. Sadly, this looks like happening
and its consequences. A retired to the Church of England.”
Bishop has suggested all churches
with congregations of less than As we enter our 7th month in
30 attendees per week should Interregnum let us reflect a while
be closed and the land used for on our achievements as a Church
building affordable housing. The community. Father John and Anne
diocese of Gloucestershire has continue living in the vicarage whilst
recently knocked down 2 vicarages Fr John continues his recovery
on large plots of land, rebuilt the from illness. We hope this has been
vicarages to a much smaller scale helpful to them as it has to us as
and used the remainder of the land a parish. An empty vicarage is far
for building houses, earning the from ideal and to know it is being
diocese £3miilion. lovingly cared for is a huge relief.
Our thoughts remain with Fr John
The pandemic has seen large scale for a complete recovery.
development of remote services
with many people believing this will Canon Brian, whenever permitted,
continue to grow post pandemic. has kept the church services going
There are consequences to this of and as you will have read Helen’s
course, particularly for cathedral articles in the March edition of the
choirs. 40 choirs have made appeals magazine, with an ever-growing
for funding totalling £1.5 million. attendance on-line. He is ably
Running a cathedral choir costs supported by Nigel, a fantastic
between £100.000 and £500.000 a organist, and Richard, a man of
year, yet cathedrals face continuing many talents, including “film and
lack of income from congregations sound producer”. The choir may
and tourists. £7 million was awarded be small in number as needs must,
to cathedrals last year to offset the but is adding so much value to the
loss of income during the pandemic. services. The attendance each
The government is being asked to Sunday is steadily increasing to
commit ”sustained investment so our allowed maximum number of
that our cathedrals can continue to 30. No doubt, as the vaccination
serve their communities.” programme continues to roll out at
12 | St John the Evangelist, Lund | April 2021