Covid in church

Happy New Year from A cobbled Road.

Sunday church services often start with the bell being rung. In days gone by, it would be the signal to the townspeople to come to the service. To watch a socially distanced church service on-line, with only the vicar, officebearers and two musicians present - and still the churchbell is being rung. To signal the start of the service. It is an eerie sound, almost empty of meaning.

In the past, the churchbell would also be rung to warn of danger. I am reminded of Pathe-footage of the 1953 flood in southwestern Holland (where 2,000 people drowned), with the sound of distant church bells ringing out across the flooded miles to warn of the dangers of the waters. Is it now to warn NOT to come to church because of the dangers of Covid?

From 700 miles away, the heavy peal of the Peters Bell in Cologne cathedral echoes through my mind.