Today, three of our churches in the Benefice are starting to be open for private prayer — Snape, Benhall and Great Glemham. All books have been removed, and signs are displayed to encourage safe distancing and hand cleansing. We are not permitted to allow any kind of act of worship in the churches yet. The guidance for opening for private prayer is very strict about what can be left out and what must be put away, to avoid things being touched and risk spreading the virus.
It is also possible to conduct funerals in church from today, but only if I deem it safe to do so. So I would have to refuse a gathering over quite a small number, because of social distancing and because most of our churches only have one doorway. It all feels quite alien, but I guess many things do for all of us at present.