New Ways of Church

Of the few reminders of Easter in Rhuthun/Ruthin, although party obscured, this is in the Wayfarer woolshop

In a temporal sense, this is likely to be the unhappiest Easter in living memory. No family or friends allowed. No holidays or short breaks. No open countryside. No beach visits. No meals out. No drinks down the pub. No taking children to play areas. In fact, none of the things we might traditionally do on or associate with a dry Easter Day.

And, no chapel or church services, either.

Over the years, the numbers of congregants and the number attending Easter communion, once so important, has begun to drift off. In a sense, the wider Church has lost Easter.

That in no way minimises Easter's importance. Indeed, throughout this coronavirus crisis, from the very start of lockdown on March 24th, our Warden, the Revd Stuart Evans, and others in his congregation, have maintained an encouraging daily Christian video presence on Facebook. At the time of writing this, people have viewed his half-hour broadcasts 5,551 times—equivalent to the popualtion of Rhuthun—ranging each day from 46 to 304. In addition, the children's stories by two of his congregation have, in no more than four days, drawn a maximum of 526 views, with total viewings of 1,702 as at the time of writing. We're also aware that St Peter's Llanbedr is broadcasting likewise. On Maundy Thursday, theirs reached 995 views.

I just wonder why chapels and churches had to close. Supermarkets remain open and it's not as if churches are terribly full. But with so much going on online, it's now possible to "attend" a service virtually anywhere, across the globe.

Back to the main daily Rhuthun broadcasts, over 5,500 views and a maximum of 304 in one day and this is appreciably more than Evans might expect physically through his door. OK, some are from other churches. OK, there are also those who start the video and don't let it finish. Even so, the numbers Evans is reaching outstrips by some margin those who would turn up in person.

We all yearn to get back to normal. Since we can't, it's good to see St Peter's not only making the best of it but also seemingly thriving. We should thank the Warden. We need to keep our distance to keep safe but that doesn't mean we should forgo the Easter message of resurrection and hope. It may be a different Easter but it can still be a happy one. And we need "happy" right now.

Lockdown came two days after Mothering Sunday with no chance for Mococo to peel off its sign, which is still here, even at Easter

As a bit of a traditionalist, under normal circumstances, the thought of our mayor dashing around our estate roads dressed with a large rainbow on his back, tugging a huge amplifier that plays "Happy" by one Pharrell Williams and all of this alongside a onesied Easter bunny would be seen as comical, even demeaning to the office. Mayor Gavin Harris is no ordinary politician, of course, and he's probably the most positive force for Rhuthun/Ruthin in modern times. His plan this Easter is to show solidarity with the people of Rhuthun, to offer to cheer us up and that he did beautifully. As a result, no doubt his political career won't suffer, either. Next stop the county council?

When in the distance I first heard these growing sounds, I must admit I thought unthinking someone had left their car stereo on full blast or it was some other anti-social behaviour.