Thousands of people took part in digital services that were live-streamed or pre-recorded by CofE churches in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight over the Easter weekend.
Regular worshippers and non-churchgoers alike went online to participate in Maundy Thursday gatherings, Good Friday reflections and Easter Sunday celebrations as they recalled the death and resurrection of Jesus.
More than 10,000 people were reached by worship that was shared by Portsmouth Cathedral’s Facebook page over the Easter weekend, with another 1,300 watching via Youtube. And more than 12,000 watched services hosted by the Diocese of Portsmouth’s Facebook page, including services led by the Bishop of Portsmouth, the Rt Rev Christopher Foster, on Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday. Another 1,000 took part via Youtube.
Bishop Christopher Foster said:
“It was humbling to be able to speak directly into people’s homes with the message that Jesus’s resurrection can transform all our lives. At this time, when so many people are grieving for the loss of loved ones, it was a privilege to be able to share the incredible Easter message, that Jesus brings us life after death, light after darkness and hope from despair – something we all need to hear in these difficult times.”
On the Isle of Wight, Newport Minster has taken a different approach, gathering together worshippers via Zoom video conferencing, rather than broadcasting services. They chat and pray together every day at 11:00, and have also established a ‘Hymns on the Piano’ broadcast, for which worshippers send in requests for hymns and songs to be played by director of music Steve Parker. He has now done this 5 times via Facebook Live.
The first Hymns on the Piano event on 19th March reached 13,752 people via Facebook and prompted 1,508 engagements – likes, comments, clicks and shares. The fourth Hymns on the Piano on Maundy Thursday (9th April) reached 3,200 people, and prompted 495 engagements. Over 28 days, Newport Minster’s Facebook page has reached 36,778 people, with 3,595 unique users.
To take part in digital worship across the diocese, visit www.portsmouth.anglican.org.
