Coronavirus: Impact on churches In Kirkcaldy, Burntisland and Kinghorn

While regular church services on Sundays have been suspended, ministers are now having to think of more creative and responsible ways to worship.

These range from live streaming services to carrying out ‘walking worship’.

Justin Taylor, minister of Abbotshall Parish Church, said it is difficult, as it is so early, to fully ascertain how the Covid-19 will affect the churches and communities in the future.

He said “At Abbotshall Parish Church we have had to cancel all worship services, chaplaincies, community events, and the majority of hall lets. Our major concern is for people especially those who are vulnerable in our community.

“How do you care for those in the community whilst taking precautions for your own safety? In particular we are thinking about those who are elderly and isolated, those who use the foodbanks, those who are sickly and incredibly anxious about the future, those infected with Covid-19.

“It is important in these uncertain times that we band together as a community, religious and non-religious, to meet the needs of the most vulnerable in our community. In the midst of this insecurity, where we fear our neighbour, we need to care for each other.”

Catriona Morrison and Marc Prowe, joint ministers of Kirkcaldy Linktown and Auchtertool churches, said: “The priority has to be the most vulnerable and isolated in or communities.

“We have a concern for so many classed as at risk for different reasons, and we care for those whose mental health or other conditions are made so much worse by this pandemic, as well as the many whose income has been cut dramatically - all side effects of what is happening.

“So we are trying to support our community at the same time as stopping so many activities along with everyone else. Last Sunday, while numbers were down, some other people came along to worship in our churches. In times of crisis we realise that life is precious and as church we are grateful for what we have and can find the joy of Christ even in uncertainty.

“All regular services have had to stop, but that does not mean the work of the church comes to an end. instead we find ways of doing things differently. There will be worship on church websites and facebook pages and we are in contact with our members and others looking for help and support by phone, email and skype. Please get in touch if we can help or you just want to talk.

“We also want to start walking worship and so Marc and Catriona will be walking along the prom on Sunday morning from 11 down from Linktown Church. Anyone is welcome to join us. it won't be a traditional service in any way and we will not gather together as a group. But we may stop and pray, discuss a Bible story and think, and rejoice in the wonders of God's world.

“We hope also to have churches open at times for individual prayer and details will be published when we have them. “

Jim Reid, minister at Kinghorn Parish Church and interim minister for Burntisland Parish Church, said many churches, including those in Kinghorn and Burntisland, will be looking at livestreaming : “We've moved into unknown and uncharted territory which I think can be a challenge for us to be a different Church not able to focus solely or indeed at all on Sunday public gatherings for a time, but looking to see how we can care, connect,pray and communicate with each other in different ways,” he said.

“We need to look towards the weak, lonely and vulnerable and ensure that foodbanks in particular are still supported. In this the Church must be there for others and not just ourselves.”

He added: “Church leaders from around the country have asked that this Mothering Sunday (March 22) be a National Day of Prayer and action for the present crisis, particularly remembering all who are sick or anxious and all involved in health and emergency services.

“There is also a request that as part of this day of prayer and action that we all light a candle at 7pm as a visible symbol of the light of life, Jesus Christ our source and hope in prayer.”