Grieving, Zooming and livestreaming: How South London church leaders are adapting to life without services or sermons
By Rachel Steinberg
It seems everyone is doing online pub quizzes these days—even the clergy.
The Very Reverend Andrew Nunn, Dean of Southwark Cathedral, joined 14 cathedral guides last week to test his knowledge and have a virtual catch-up.
It’s one of the myriad ways Dean Nunn and his historic congregation have quickly adjusted to the very modern reality of becoming an ad-hoc e-church.
The bishops of Southwark, Rochester, London and Chelmsford announced on March 22 their decision to suspend public worship and close buildings in accordance with Covid-19 guidance.
Dean Nunn said: “None of us really thought it would be quite like this.
“I’d love to say, oh gosh, yes, we knew exactly what we were doing in this sort of situation. That we knew how to run a Zoom meeting or plan a service online or do any of those things.
“But we didn’t. And you sort of think now, with the benefit of hindsight, why didn’t we think this might be happening at some stage in our lives?
“So we’ve had to do a lot of swift thinking, tried to be agile, and learn what new technology can do. And it can do such a lot.”
Worshippers log into Facebook each morning and evening to hear Dean Nunn livestream prayers from the deanery’s hall. On Sunday, the Bishop of Southwark offered virtual palm cross blessings.
Dean Nunn said: “It’s kind of a strange thing because they can see me; I can’t see them.
“But it becomes real. For me it feels like a huge privilege and the responses we’re getting are really encouraging.”
But some church rituals, like receiving holy bread and wine, can’t be replicated online.
“It’s a different way of thinking about communion,” admitted the dean.
“But communions are, in a sense, bigger than that. And that’s a hard thing to say because they’re one of the most important things we do. But it’s also being in community together.
“It’s been great to see the hundreds of people who will go online and send their comments while the service is going on and realise the community is built, yes, through sharing a meal but also through sharing an experience.
“It’s getting us to learn other lessons about the way we encounter God.”
The dean’s daily work ranges from spiritual guidance to practical decision-making.
Southwark Cathedral employs about 40 people. While most are able to work from home, there are some—like those who run the shop—who simply cannot.
Dean Nunn said cathedral leaders have looked at furloughing some staff with the hope of retaining them when the doors re-open.
The Church of England also asked the cathedral’s Coronavirus Task Group to project cash flow for three, six and nine-month lockdown periods.
And, of course, there are preparations for the inevitable.
Dean Nunn said: “We have to be ready to take the funerals, however they come in and whatever form they have to take.
“We have to support the bereaved without being able to sit in their homes with them as we would normally do.”
The dean is also considering the long-term impact of the crisis on his community.
Southwark Cathedral’s congregation includes a doctor, several nurses, and a senior advisor for the Department of Health.
He said: “Over the weeks I think the issues people are facing will inevitably change.
“Frustration will rise, anxiety will rise, and there will be post-traumatic stress disorder that we’re going to have to deal with in the future.
“We’re brave enough now to talk about mental health and this will challenge it, particularly when people have to be on their own.
“We’re just trying to give support wherever we can.”
Southwark Cathedral is also offering a full programme of live-streamed services for Easter.
Dean Nunn stressed the importance of having meaningful conversations with loved ones over the holiday—even if partaking in a family meal requires a Zoom invitation.
He said: “Now we can’t gather, but we mustn’t imagine that the church is closed.
“The church is still open because the church is the people.
“That’s my sermon.”
