A church in Bristol has hosted an innovative 'drive-in' service in a bid to keep its congregation worshipping together during the coronavirus pandemic. St Michael’s Church, Stoke Gifford, partnered with Sainsbury’s East Filton to host the socially distanced service in the supermarket car park on 26th July.
Revd Tom Benyon, a member of the clergy at St Michael’s, spoke from a stage at the front of the car park and live music was facilitated by the church worship band. Congregants were directed into their allocated spaces for the service by stewards, before listening to the sermon, joining with the worship and responding in prayer from within the confines of their own vehicles.
Rev Benyon said: "Like so many churches across the country we’ve been producing stacks of online services over lockdown, but we’ve really missed meeting and worshipping together as a church family.
"So we were delighted to be able to hold a drive-in service. It was a really vibrant, joyful event - full of laughter and hope. We got together safely, sang some songs, heard about the good news of Jesus and had fun along the way - and all from the comfort of our cars!"
The Archdeacon of Malmesbury, Revd Christopher Bryan added:
“Churches have been doing amazing things during the pandemic. The church’s life carries on, even when buildings are closed. I’ve heard about work with food banks, offering pastoral care, and lots of different ways of worshipping together. St Michael’s have been wonderfully imaginative and creative in offering the drive-in service.”
See some more photos from the service below:
