An international resource hub has been created by the Anglican Alliance to help provinces, dioceses and parishes respond to the Covid-19 crisis. The Anglican Alliance was launched following the Lambeth Conference in 2008. It has 12 years’ experience of co-ordinating provincial responses to local and regional crises. It is now putting that experience to use as it helps provinces deal with a truly global crisis.

“The Covid-19 global pandemic is now impacting on every part of the Communion”, the Alliance said on its website. “Following official public health advice, churches are suspending public worship services and other gatherings. This is vital to prevent the spread of the virus, save the lives of the most vulnerable, and protect the health services from being overwhelmed by cases.

“In many parts of the world churches have moved to online services, while others are using local radio or even connecting through a tolling church bell to call people to shared prayer at the same time but in their own homes – together in spirit while remaining in lockdown to help prevent the virus spreading.”

The Anglican Alliance Covid-19 resource hub is a platform to share learning from churches on how they are responding effectively to the crisis.

The Anglican Alliance team has been connecting with churches in each region to learn about their experience, to gather examples of effective responses “and, above all, to share in fellowship at this most difficult of times”, a spokesperson for the Alliance said. “It has been inspiring and encouraging to learn how churches are adapting to the current challenges: maintaining common worship even when we can’t gather; upholding a shared life of prayer; sustaining connections to encourage those living in isolation; and continuing to serve the most vulnerable in our communities while following safety guidelines.

"We have also learnt from the wisdom and resilience of those parts of the Communion which have faced epidemics and other crises in the past. In the midst of the troubling headlines there is still good news of gospel hope to be heard.”

The resource hub highlights the key areas of church responses to Covid-19 and provides links to useful guidelines; and new material will be added in the coming weeks. It is split in two sections: knowing the facts and how the Church can respond.

The Anglican Alliance spokesperson described the resource hub as “a living resource” and invited people to send their own contributions or requests for coverage of other topics, by email: [email protected].