Just recently, and coincidentally, I’ve been reminiscing with several different groups of friends about Covid times and the effects the pandemic had on each and every one of us. I imagine that, in years to come, young people will be learning about these times in their school history lessons, just as we learned about the Black Death which occurred so long ago in Europe between 1346 and 1353 and was one of the most fatal pandemics in human history resulting in as many as 50 million people losing their lives.

The Covid pandemic was not nearly as deadly, thanks to incredible medical advances and the rapid development of a vaccine. It did, however, leave a legacy which we, who lived through it, will never forget. How could the terror of the initial, and ongoing daily, televised announcements be forgotten? These were followed by enforced social distancing, the compulsory requirement to wear masks, restricted entry to shops, the closure of schools and public buildings, travel restrictions and the eventual complete lockdown.

The disruption to modern life was unprecedented and caused so much hurt, especially to those who could not visit those dear to them in hospitals and care homes and to those who lost loved ones to the deadly virus. Our incredible NHS staff lived through such traumatic events and still live with the backlog of waiting lists and huge pressures. As always, of course, there were positive outcomes from the experiences. In addition to the incredible NHS and care home staff, there were those ‘pillars of the community’ who cared for their vulnerable friends and neighbours.

With the closure of churches came the obvious delay in baptism, marriage, and worse, funeral arrangements, accompanied by attendance restrictions. It is impossible to forget the image of our frail masked Queen sitting alone in the pews at the Chapel of St. George in Windsor, at the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh. Eventually, of course, we were allowed to return to our beloved places of worship albeit in a controlled manner. During these turbulent times, Reverend Maggie, and her MA volunteer team, were tasked with the introduction of our Ministry Area. No mean task.

As Reverend Mark and Reverend Roger, together with each one of us, now continues to encourage growth within our Ministry Area, we still face many challenges. One huge impact of the pandemic has been decreased attendance with some, previously faithful members, either unable or unwilling to return.

Time has moved on and circumstances have changed, resulting in decreased Ministry Area income. Finances, of course, should not be uppermost in our Christian minds but we do have an obligation to maintain our beautiful buildings, pay utility bills and, more importantly, to develop outreach and mission. Added to the legacy of Covid, we have had a cost of living crisis, with so many of us struggling a little more but we are implored by God to give.

This, of course, is not restricted to just finance and the Bible defines giving as involving time, money, skills, kindness and faith-based generosity, such powerful means by which we might all contribute to the growth of our special Ministry Area and the wider community. We will most certainly all recall the quotation from Corinthians which reminds us that ‘Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly, or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver’. It definitely is in giving, in whatever form, that we receive.