More televised Church Services needed?

 

It would be interesting to know how many former church-goers there are, who now find themselves in circumstances which no longer allow them to be able to attend church. Possibly they have become house-bound through long-term illness, or loss of mobility; and last, but by no means least, caring for someone.

 

I wonder how many church-goers in difficult situations really miss the live church services which Granada TV used to transmit on Sunday mornings, not all that many years ago? During services, special prayers were said for the sick and oppressed, and if requested, their names would appear on the screen.

 

It seems that the TV channels have reduced their output of church services, and cut them down to special occasions in the Church Year only: mainly at Advent, Christmas and Easter. This is better than nothing, of course, but I have no doubt that a return of more regular transmissions would fill the gap for the most vulnerable amongst us. Songs of Praise appears to be the only regular Sunday programme shown at present.

 

In no way is it being suggested that a TV church service should be a substitute for the real thing, if you are capable of going in person, that is. Television sends out an important lifeline for many people whose activities are limited, and they are grounded due to reasons of ill-health.

 

Fortunately, there are a number of religious broadcasts via the radio, which includes The Daily Service and a live Choral Evensong on Sunday afternoons, Radio 3.

 

Like the radio, TV maintains a link to a diversity of topics and subjects, but the church appears to be marginalized.

 

FR

New Archdeacon of Rochdale

 

The Bishop of Manchester announced the appointment of the Revd Canon Cherry Vann to be the next Archdeacon of Rochdale.

 

This is the first time the diocese of Manchester has appointed a woman to such a senior clergy post.

 

The Revd Vann has been a University Chaplain and a Chaplain to the Deaf. She is currently Bishop’s Adviser in women’s Ministry, Chair of the House of Clergy, Area Dean of Farnworth and Team Rector of East Farnworth and Kearsley.

 

The Archdeacon-Designate, who is also a member of the General Synod, was appointed following widespread consultation.

 

The text can be seen at

www.manchester.anglican.org