Coronavirus Reflections #17

Last week we were able to meet in the church again for worship. We had a blended service using Zoom and the church. It worked very well. It is very strange though not being able to sing in the church and all having to distance so much. Our midweek service was held on Zoom only.

This week we are planning morning and afternoon services because the minister is visiting from a distance and so he will be provided with hospitality at the church between services.

Work has continued to be very busy this week and there was another large online meeting which worked well.

Tesco has stopped its one way system now. I'm not sure this is such a good idea as in my experience it certainly reduced the distancing. Numbers of cases and deaths went up yesterday. The government has said many times that restrictions will be increased where needed. Leicester still remanins under lockdown as the cases were too high for the restrictions to be eased last week.

Last weekend I was able to go in my sisters house instead of having dinner in the garden. Things are gradually returning to a resemblance of normal.

I have my return to work risk assessment interview scheduled for next week but I'm not sure when the plan to return will be fulfilled - mid to late August I would imagine.

The government announced this week plans for swimming pools and gyms to reopen. These are the last businesses remaining shut. They can reopen in a couple of weeks with distancing. The chancellor announced lots of measures to try to help to stimulate the economy - reducing stamp duty, reducing vat for the hospitality industry, grants to businesses for employing young people. Schools are making plans for returning in September with bubbles and one way systems.

It feels like we are on a journey and making progress but there is a long way to go yet and there may be several hurdles along the way but we know the Lord is in complete control, He has brought all of this into our path and He is with us all the way.

Coronavirus Reflections #16

This week has ended with the biggest easing of restrictions that we have had. Yesterday hairdressers, pubs and restaurants were allowed to open. Many were desperate for a haircut so there were several stories of queues for the barbers.

Churches are now allowed to meet under particular guidance. Social distancing must continue, no singing is allowed. The church has a one way system with sanitiser on entry and exit. Doors and windows have to be opened and every other pew is blocked off. We look forward to being able to gather together in the Lord's house again although it will be difficult to have fellowship with one another and we are not allowed to sing. The service is aiming to be a blend of worship in the church and those who still need to remain at home.

We can also now meet inside one another's homes - 2 households only.

I've done quite a few Track and Trace shifts this week. It has been difficult to get shifts due to demand so mine have been a bit sporadic.

Work continues to be from home but this week the clinics have all been fully booked so demand has increasing. Osteopathic colleagues are reporting a lot of demand for their services too.

Now remains the time to reflect and apply the lessons of lockdown - God removed sport, work, church fellowship, family interaction, pubs, restaurants, gyms and left us to ourselves causing many to reflect. Now we are able to return to church but not with instruments and singing - the focus is to be reading, prayer and preaching.

We praise the Lord for His mercy and pray for His continued teaching and revival of the church, and nation.

Coronavirus Reflections #15

This week a big announcement was made for the easing of lockdown. Many businessses will be allowed to open from the 4th July - hairdressers, restaurants, cinemas. Some still remain closed including indoor gyms and swimming pools.  Most importantly it was confirmed that churches can reopen from next weekend for services. There are however, many restrictions in place and some details still need to be clarified.

Churches have to be social distanced. Sanitiser must be used on the way in and out. Cleaning must take place to reduce cross-infection. A few us went to the church yesterday and put up notices for a one-way system, cleaning, hand-washing and social distancing. We also have blocked off every other pew and measured out distancing taping on the floor. The church is now set up for zoom broadcasting of the preaching. Singing won't be allowed in the services to begin with due to government restrictions.

More mixing will be allowed to so two households can meet up indoors, whilst maintaining distancing.

There have been some very hot days this week with temperatures over 30 degrees. A lot of people went to the beach causing gridlock and massive overcrowding, particularly in Bournemouth.

I attended another online conference. This one had 20 000 people registered to attend. People have responded really positively to these online learning opportunities.

Hopefully today is the last Sunday of Zoom services at home. It's been nice to go and have lunch in my sisters garden the last couple of Sundays. Next week I might be able to venture indoors!

The Lord remains in complete control. We pray that many who have taken Bibles or been spiritually awakened during this period of lockdown will be moved to attend church as we start to gather face to face next week.

Coronavirus Reflections #14

The weather has been a lot more mixed this week with rain and thunder storms as well as sunshine. It's delayed some of my neighbours DIY projects in their gardens.

On Monday this week we had a meeting to plan for the Restoration of Worship at chapel. The government released some guidance last week so we are seeking to apply it in preparation for recommencing corporate worship. I'm sure I'll write more about this later.

It's been nice to have a week of spending time with my parents again. It's hard to remember that social distancing exists if I just stay between my home and my parents. You soon remember though if going to the supermarket or anywhere else.

I enjoyed a walk with my friend yesterday exploring the village of Adderbury. There are some beautiful villages with interesting history in this area of Oxfordshire.

I attended an all day virtual pain conference on Thursday. It was really good to be able to hear a lot of international experts without anyone needing to travel. This may be the future for conferences. There are loads of online learning opportunities at the moment, I've got another conference next week.

Last Sunday we had a preacher from Kent on the feeding of the 5000 and a Bible study on Barnabas. It was a prayer meeting on Tuesday.

The Covid risk number was reduced to 3 this week. Another step in the right direction. It's looking promising for a lot of the restrictions to be lifted in July. I was very encouraged to read this week that the Isle of Man has reached the stage of being able to stop all social distancing albeit no one can leave or enter the island. It became compulsory on Monday to wear face coverings on public transport and all staff and visitors in hospitals.

I was remembering this morning about a time when I was a child and the pastor preached from the same text morning and evening for about 16 weeks and I can't remember what the text is. I wonder if this whole experience will be like that - just a vague memory in the end. What I pray though is that we will not forget the lessons we have learned and will appreciate things more, particularly worshipping God and serving together as a church as well as the lessons for personal spiritual life.

Coronavirus Reflections #13

This Sunday marks 1/4 of the year in lockdown, meeting on Zoom. We have been blessed to have preachers each week and during the week and the church has enjoyed being able to see one another. I wonder though what lessons we have learned individually and as a church. Will there be any difference when we meet together again.

This has been quite an eventful week. Yesterday churches were allowed to be opened again for private prayer. This week it was announced that single people could form a bubble with another person or family. This would mean that they could spend the night together and be closer than the 2m distancing. I formed a bubble yesterday with my parents. It was a great joy to have social contact without having to dance around one another maintaining our distance, to go into their home again and share a meal together.

It's also nice that we can mix in groups of up to 6 from mixed households in each others gardens.

There are still around 200 people dieing each day with the virus so all the other distancing rules are in place. Secondary schools will be opening for year 10 next week and non-essential shops. The barriers are gradually being lowered but it certainly is not a return to normal.

We held a church meeting on zoom this week also. The government has issued some guidance to help churches plan for when they can open - potentially in July. Distancing, hand hygiene and reducing potential for cross-infection are the key rulings to apply.

There is ongoing high levels of anxiety in society and the emotional impact of fear and social isolation. I have been seeing this more and more in pain presentations.

Last Sunday we had a visitor on Zoom who knew our preacher. He runs an orphanage in India so it was interesting to hear from him. In the afternoon we had a talk about George Muller and the amazing work that he was enabled to do in preaching and setting up orphanages.


It's strange really, that now we have been in lockdown for so long I had got into a good routine day to day. Moving on to another phase means getting used to a new routine and potentially there will be more and more changes as the weeks go on - returning to church and work. Getting used to social contact again and the freedom to go out and about yet keeping safe will be nice but challenging.

Coronavirus Reflections #12

I've found this week more difficult again. I think it is mainly from the realisation that for 12 weeks noone has been closer to me than 2m. For someone whose job was based on touch this is tough. It emphasises to me how important physical touch is for our well-being.

Once again I'm feeling so thankful that God is in complete control. This is a light momentary affliction as we await the glorious prospect of eternity with God and without sin. I'm praying earnestly that God will be using these times for His glory - the revival and revitalisation of the church as individuals and a body, for the salvation of many souls - praying for many in my family and more widely. I'm praying that I and many others will come through this with a closer walk with God and a new perspective on life. I enjoyed thinking on this verse this week from my studies of 2 Corinthians:
"and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised." 2 Corinthians 5:15

The restrictions were lifted a little this week with children able to go back to school in reception, year 1 and year 6 but many schools have not gone back yet. We are now able to meet in groups of 6 in the garden. The weather has changed this week so it is much cooler and we had some heavy rain storms yesterday. The prime minister warned people not to retreat inside in their groups.

There have been many protests around the world over the racist murder of a black man in the USA. A terrible tragedy and important to speak up against but maybe using different means. These protests are breaking the lockdown rules and risk increasing the spread of the virus as well as some of them becoming violent.

Anxiety and distress seems to be ever more prevalent from my limited clinical sample. Clinics are busy and many are yearning for services to get back to normal. There are talks of us returning to face to face contact but a lot of changes need to be made. Risk assessments are being carried out in all areas.

This week it was announced that from the 15th June it will be compulsory to wear face masks on public transport and in hospital settings. The mind boggles as to whatever life is going to be like for the forseeable future.

We've finished the bible study on Galatians with church now. We have another preacher scheduled for the morning but will move on to a new series of afternoon studies - I think!

One more week and we will have spent a quarter of the year in lockdown... I'm sure I'll comment on that again next week.

Coronavirus Reflections #11

Last Sunday our preacher was in Romania. Remarkably it was one of the clearest broadcasts we have had. He preached very powerfully about Noah's ark. Today we have a preacher from Baldock. On Tuesday evening we had a sermon from the pastor of Bedford chapel on pursuing the presence of God.

Monday was a bank holiday. It was lovely to meet my friend for a walk again. This time we enjoyed learning some of the history of Aynho and a walk through the surrouding countryside. The weather has been beautiful this week.

I started a new job but am still going through the training process at the moment - another job from home on the telephone. My main clinical job is getting a lot busier. I'm noticing how levels of anxiety and the effects of isolation seem to be increasing.

There has been further easing of lockdown. From next week Year 1 and reception can return to school, although in a modified format. We will be able to meet in gardens in groups of 6 from multiple households but continuing to social distance. There are still a few hundred dieing each day.

It was nice to meet with friends from my previous church on Zoom this week. It's a wonderful blessing how Christian friendship continues with unity in Christ.

It's strange how waves of isolation distress come. Generally it is fine but every now and then an hour or two of distress come - despair at the never ending nature of lockdown, not enjoying the status of nobody being able to come nearer to me than 2m, fears of lack of the emotional and social impact of this period. Normally though it is fine and you just keep going through the routine. I notice how my work and church Whatsapp groups are a lot quieter now. People seem to be becoming more withdrawn as isolation continues.

For many people in difficult homes or enduring separation from loved ones this will have been a very difficult period. The full impact I am sure is yet to be seen.

Coronavirus Reflections #10

Week 10 of lockdown and church at home!

This week I have had 3 walks with other people. One after travelling for an hour to meet for a long walk - a sense of normality. It is lovely to have the freedom but it is peculiar trying to maintain the 2m distance. There is always the return to reality of lockdown.

Next week is halfterm so it will be nice for the children to have a break from their home schooling. After half term some children are due to return to school part-time - reception, year 1 and year 6 to begin with.

I've completed my application process to be a contact tracer, The government is relying on the contact tracing system to be able to offer more freedom to people. As would be expected with a rapidly developed system, there are a few early stage issues being identified. It's very impressive all they have put together in a short period of time and hiring around 20000 people. I've got lots of training to do before I can start contacting people.

Last Sunday was the first time we had significant problems with Zoom. It happened nationally. The morning service started with a few difficulties connecting to sound. The afternoon service had to be cancelled because Zoom wouldn't connect. Oliver Baker was the preacher for us again, this time on the 10 lepers healed by Jesus. I continued to be challenged by the Proverbs studies.

Clinics are getting much busier at work - maybe as people are feeling the effects of the stress and sedentary lifestyle of lockdown, perhaps also because people are now taking action as lockdown begins to be eased.

Still making good progress with jobs around the home which is satisfying. I queued up at the garden centre on Monday so now have some gernaiums to enjoy through the summer.

There is still a shortage of flour and baking powder in the supermarket as there has been for several weeks now.

I enjoyed thinking about this part of Corinthians: The gospel - which you received, in which you stand, by which you are being saved if you hold fast to the word - a wonderful picture. I've also been reading Authority by Martyn Lloyd Jones - the authority of Jesus Christ, scripture and the Holy Spirit. How easily we loose sight of this authority and try to do things in our strength, thinking we can engineer things. We need to seek the power of the Holy Spirit to be at work in our day and generation in reviving power.

Coronavirus Reflections #9

Last Sunday the prime minister made an announcement about the plans to reduce the restrictions of lockdown. The message was not altogether clear. However this week the first changes have been put in place. Anyone that can't work from home should go to work. We are now allowed to exercise as much as we like and drive to the place for exercise and recreation. You can also meet one person from outside your household for exercise or recreation outdoors but maintaining the 2m social distancing. There are plans for schools to return in June and shops to open in July.

It was lovely to meet with a friend for a walk this week. So nice to spend time in someones company.

I've been applying to become one of the Covid contact tracers. Lots of osteopaths are. The application process is quite inconsistent and there are lots of hiccups with the training but its not surprising with the rapid roll out. I'm still at the application stage. There is talk of osteopaths returning to practice in the next few weeks but with some strict PPE and cleansing procedures. It all seems very onerous.

In some ways this week has been hard. There is the reality that the distancing measures are going to be in place for a long time yet and although not unexpected it is still somehow hard to accept.

I had an all day meeting on Zoom this week. It worked well.

I'm continuing to learn lots of new pieces on the piano which is a nice distraction. I've actually enjoyed doing scales and exercises to improve my technical ability. I find it strange when the mind-body connection is not there for the fingers to do what I want them to but practice builds skills.

The furlough scheme has been extended to October. There have been different grants available for businesses and the self-employed. I have been eligible for two.

I'm continuing to study Corinthians enjoying the orchestral piece speaking of divisions and sinful practices in the Corinth church coming to a peak in acknowledging one anothers gifts and necessity as part of the body of Christ. The most important gift of all is love. This has been wonderful teaching that I have needed.

Last Sunday we enjoyed preaching from Psalm 18, the Galatians bible study - what a difficult book, and then from Acts in the week.

I thought it would be good to list some of the things I have been learning in lockdown - skipping double and single leg, working towards doing the splits, graded exposure cycling to limits, new piano pieces - about 6 now, the garden and the house are clean and tidy, studying Pleasing God, Corinthians and Proverbs, reading more books. I thought I would get into studying more Greek and Hebrew but haven't really got into that yet and I have dabbled in improvising on the piano but would like to do more. It's a blessing to have so much time for these things without commuting each day.

Coronavirus Reflections #8

Another sunny week. The usual routine was broken up by a Friday bank holiday. May day was moved for the nation to commemorate 75 years since VE day. The celebrations and events were not as planned but many streets had gatherings. There was a 2 minute silence at 11, Churchill's speech was played at 3pm and the queen gave a speech at 9pm. My street had a socially distanced gathering in the evening, although some had been out most of the day. The bunting looks nice around the houses.

Last week I started some admin work for the drugs team, that finished on Monday as I completed the task. I have applied to be a contact tracer now. Clinics have been busy. Many people seem very appreciative of the telephone contact. I wonder how the health service will re-shape how it continues in the future.

Today the prime minister is going to make a speech about plans for coming out of lockdown. People are quite anxious to get back to normal life but there is a lot of fear around contracting the virus. Normal life will not be possible for a long-time but life cannot go on simply in lockdown.

Last Sunday we had our usual meetings for worship and bible study and I continued to enjoy Paul Washers teaching on Proverbs. A friend and I have got in the habit of working through a Bible quiz book for an hour on Sunday afternoon on the telephone. It is surprising how quickly the time goes by.

I've seen my parents a couple of times in the garden this week. It's nice to meet face to face but socially distanced talking can be difficult.

There are still a number of items missing in the supermarket - flour, eggs, baking products are usually low or out of stock. Covid related deaths continue to be in the hundreds each day sometimes 350, sometimes 650. We went over 30 000 deaths this week. The Nightingale hospital rapidly built in the Excel centre London was hardly used and this week has been stepped down but will not be packed up yet.

There are so many opportunities for online learning at the moment. Many organisations are offering their learning for free and there are loads of webinars. There is always so much to keep learning, even in my small field of work. Many are anxious about returning to clinical work - there is a lot of PPE requirements. It seems some may not return. It will be interesting to see the shape of the profession as we emerge from this and the future implications.

This week I was struck by a verse in Corinthians reminding us that we exist for God the Father and exist through Jesus Christ (1Cor 8:6). Life needs to be kept in perspective. So much of this life is futile. I always find it so solemn at funerals that no matter who you are, and what you have done, the end of this earthly life is the same - a wooden coffin. There is only one thing that is needful - to follow the Lord.

This week my resolve is to have a week of prayer for the church, preachers, leaders of the church and revival.