With Higham Ferrers and Chelveston new online service congregations can click and Collect

A new and improved website to serve the congregations in two communities has been launched to help carry on the churches' work during the pandemic.

The site for St Mary's Church in Higham Ferrers and St John's in Chelveston will not only serve as an infomation hub but this year host a virtual Angels Festival.

Rev Michelle Dalliston, Interim Vicar of Higham Ferrers and Chelveston, said: "The new website is intended to reflect the growing number of online activities and changed circumstances brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It is important that everyone in our community and beyond is able to find information and online events quickly and easily.

"I am enormously grateful to the group of volunteers who have worked on this wonderful transformation.

"Since the second lockdown began our churches have seen a significant increase in the number of people listening to and sharing the online services. A full explanation and order of service is always available so worshippers can share in the hymns, prayers and readings which are easy to find on the new site.

"Through our online presence we are able to be together in prayer, worship and care for one another.”

The annual Angels Festival will now be held online with a Virtual Angels Festival replacing the event at St Mary's which had been planned to help launch a major fundraiser - the St Mary’s 600 Appeal.

Each year the festival attracts hundreds of visitors to the town centre church but cannot take place because of Covid restrictions.

Ms Dalliston added: "An online treasury of previous festivals has been produced to give a taster of what will be on offer in 2021.

"There is, of course, also the facility to pay small admission 'fee' and donate to the appeal which seeks to raise £600,000 for restoration and redevelopment of the church and Bede House.

"The new website is being formally launched this weekend November 28 and 29 and we invite online visitors to take a look and discover these churches where life has not stopped during difficult months."