Key workers
A Christian charity has encouraged key workers to take a break after a long and hard six months of working during the coronavirus pandemic.
The popular charity, Mother’s Union, has opened applications for its “Thank You Key Workers’ scheme” which allows people to apply or nominate someone to receive a free family experience or short break.
Anyone from nurses to delivery drivers, and care workers to curates can take part.
A full list of those who are eligible can be found on the Mothers’ Union website, together with details of how to apply.
Petition
A petition has been launched calling the Prime Minister to hold a National Day of Prayer in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The organiser of the initiative, evangelist David Hathaway, urged the PM to call the nation before God, noting that “historically only prayer has delivered this nation from a time of crisis, as evidenced in both in the First World War in 1918 and even more so in WWII”. Hathaway, a former foreign missionary, also called for the day to be dedicated to praying for the persecuted church.
Hathaway added that “when we have no human answer to the coronavirus which has devastated both health and our economy” we must “seek God’s answer”.
The petition needs to have 5,000 signatures in order to be brought before the government for discussion.
The petition can be found on CitizenGo.
Grants
The National Churches Trust has given a total of £500,000 to 45 historic churches and chapels in the UK.
The charity said the Covid-19 pandemic has had a detrimental impact on the finances of churches, with many unable to raise money from worshippers, visitors or from the hire of buildings.
The support package help will fund repairs, maintenance and the installation of community facilities.
BBC broadcaster and journalist Huw Edwards, who is the vice president of The National Churches Trust, said:
“The UK’s historic churches and chapels are a vital part of our national heritage. During the coronavirus pandemic churches have done so much to help vulnerable local people and boost morale”.
