A prominent Felixstowe religious leader is not in a hurry for churches to reopen as he would not want to be the cause of people meeting their maker earlier than necessary.

Andrew Dotchin, Vicar at St John the Baptist and also Rural Dean for the Colneys, is concerned allowing congregations back into churches would undo all the good work in preventing the coronavirus spreading even further, especially to those most susceptible, due to underlying health conditions.

Rev Dotchin is adamant the safety of his parishioners is paramount. and said: "I love my congregation. I love my parish and I don't to be the cause of them reaching heaven earlier than necessary.

"Singing can spread the virus more than standing in queues two metres apart, so a worry is if we sang hymns it would be more dangerous than going to the chippy."

The government announced last night that many sporting events will be allowed to return behind closed doors, non-essential shops will be allowed to join food outlets in opening tomorrow and takeaways many takeaways have been serving customers.

"We at the Church of England will be guided by government and God, we suspect it will be a while yet, maybe August, said Rev Dotchin. "We are waiting until the end of June before we expect any further news

"Many of our congregation have been in self isolation and it would be awful after all this hard work that when they come to church and became sick, as we have seen in instances in the USA and Germany.

"The church is not the building, and we need to remind ourselves on that. It is about, music choirs bread and wine, incense, holding hands, hugging and enjoying tea after the service.

"A lot of communion life happens in those moments."

Like many church leaders, Rev Dotchin has used modern technology to try and reach his parishioners, but he is well aware, many are still missing out.

He said: "While two thirds of our congregation are connected to the internet and can pick up a sermon and that has been wonderful, but a good one third have no smart phone or internet and radio is their only comfort. Those are the ones I find my heart-breaking for.

"When there is extreme need, we have done visits with social distancing and in most cases with a door in between us. We wear gloves and masks when we deliver leaflets or check they can get all they need

"I spend much of my day delivering medicine and find it humbling to see how grateful people are for that."

With more and more people now coming out of lockdown, Rev Dotchin fears those who are still looking to stay safe and stay at home, could inadvertently become affected.

"As things begin to ease my concern is for those who are have stuck by rules through worry over illness or death, now have no control over neighbours and what they do," said Rev Dotchin. "My hope however is they will be kind and take the party somewhere else.

"Be human, never mind Christian, you don't want someone to die because you are celebrating."

Read Reverend Andrew Dotchin's latest blog here…