With the current lockdown in full flow, St Paul’s URC, Bracknell needed to find a creative way to celebrate earth day without actually bringing people together. The use of technology to keep communications and fellowship going led to an innovative way forward, explains local minister, Anthea Wickens:

‘When the lockdown began, we at St. Paul’s URC, Bracknell set up a WhatsApp group to keep communications going. Our Church Secretary, sent a message asking if anyone would like to join a virtual candle lit pudding party to mark Earth Day?’

‘In our own homes, we all made our puddings, photographed our creations and sent round our recipes. Then we served up, lit our candles, and shared a delicious virtual pudding party on Zoom to celebrate Earth Day.’

‘Puddings included chocolate and hazelnut, bread and butter, fruit salad, lemon and lime posset, apple strudel with banana and hazelnut ice cream, pancakes and ice cream, blackberry and lemon fool, and a fabulous strawberry cheesecake.’

Simon Peters, Walking the Way project manager, said ‘The use of technology is not only helpful for keeping worship going in lockdown, but every other aspect of whole-of-life discipleship too, including, as St Paul’s URC, Bracknell has shown, the Holy Habits or Fellowship, Eating Together and Sharing Resources.’

‘It was a wonderful opportunity for our eco-friendly church to socialise and mark Earth Hour even during lockdown,’ says Anthea, ‘We look forward to the next one!’

Is this something your church could do to bring people together to share food, fellowship and prayer together during lockdown? Let us know how you get on.