Column: Preparing for a very different Easter

In his latest guest column for the Tameside Reporter, the Vicar of Mossley, Rev David Warner, gives an update on the work going on in the community to help people amid the coronavirus pandemic.

This week, work has intensified across churches, the council, Mossley foodbank and with Action Together to support the most vulnerable in our community.

It’s great to hear of so many groups and businesses working hard to support our community - San Giorgio, Mann’s Wharf catering, and many others too! 

Mossley foodbank will soon have its regular food supplies boosted with help from Action Together and TMBC, and alongside this we may soon be using St George’s church as a distribution point, though the plan is yet to be clarified.

As Easter approaches, in common with churches across the world, I’ve been preparing for a very unusual week, as our worship will take place online only, and in people’s own homes - this exaggerates the feelings of separation that all of us are feeling from our ‘normal’ lives. 

We need to remember particularly the many people who are sadly holding funerals at this time, and the funeral directors and other staff caring for them.

This very strange time prevents us attending events as we might normally, and we are thankful for those working to ensure these events go on with dignity and respect. Our schools are working hard to maintain care for those children who need to be at school, as well as ensuring work is in place for those children who are now at home - we need to thank each and every one of our school staff and communities for all they’re doing, with so many others, to support the efforts to deal with this crisis.

It’s great to hear the applause every Thursday at 8pm for the NHS and all who, like those I’ve already mentioned, are placing themselves at risk - we want to say thank you to all kinds of workers doing things that are essential to our life. 

This Thursday St John’s will be floodlit to thank them all, and at 8pm a bell will ring from St George’s to join in with the applause and thanks.

As lighter nights and warmer weather call us forward, we mark Easter and prepare to celebrate St George, patron of England on April 23 - his example of service to others can encourage us as together we work to end this crisis. Please get in touch if there’s something you think we can help with or support. Call 01457 237667 or email vicarofmossley@gmail.com.