ALL EVENTS FOR 2020

At the start of 2020 things were still normal. Our Chapel was still visited by quite a lot of church-goers.

No so far in the coming time this would change dramatically. COVID-19 was looming, also over our congregation. From 18 of March 2020 things were different.

On the 18th of March 2020: Twente Churches ring bells of hope, the next Sunday there was no regular Church Service any more. It was the beginning of a mere endless series of video recorded services. The Eucharist and in next isssues the whole service was recorded on video, edited and later on the Sunday made available on this Website. All in all this would take till the 18th of July 2021.  

Mostly the team consisting of Father Brian, reader Simone, the Church Warden(s) and me as videographer were only present. Often the Service was  already taken on the Saturday before, to be ready edited for the regular Sunday morning service time. It was quite a demanding time for this team, but it was worth the effort as it kept our congregation largely intact.

Lub Gringuis,

Video editor/ Webmaster.

On the image above it was still a normal Service at the start of the year.

Due to COVID-19  restrictions almost no activities have taken place during this year. The Chapel had to be re-arranged to adhere to the distancing rules imposed by the Dutch Government. The pews were moved inwards to create a one way system necessary to go to Eucharist.

On the 18th of March 2020: Twente Churches ring bells of hope: ‘Never thought this would be necessary again’

Even though the church is hidden far deep in the woods, Warden Jeanet Luiten of the Anglican chapel at ‘t Weldam near Goor also rang the bells Wednesday evening. The same thing happened in almost all churches in Twente. The action is the conclusion of the Day of Prayer, which was held across the Netherlands on Wednesday at the initiative of the Council of Churches. With the bell ringing, which will be repeated over the next two weeks, the churches hope to send a signal of hope, solidarity comfort. ‘The world needs it,’ said Luiten. ‘All the people in uncertainty need to know that we are there, that we sympathise with them and that there is always hope, even if everything seems dark.’

At the stroke of seven, she pulls the rope at the back of the chapel. Ringing the bell is still done by hand at ‘t Weldam. Jeanet Luiten does what she does practically every Sunday, but this time with a totally different feeling. ‘Normally, on a quiet Sunday morning, it is peaceful here. Then that bell sounds like music. But now it's a cry for help, a sign of the anxiety that is going on in the country. In no way did I expect that I would ever have to ring the bell in this way again.’ The ringing lasts only briefly. After the prescribed 15 minutes, silence returns to the estate. Luiten, assisted by Chaplain Brian Rodford , says the prayer that is prayed at the same time in all churches in the Netherlands. ‘Whether it helps, I don't know. But deep in my heart I have the conviction that there is always someone who hears us.’

The initiative of the Council of Churches, started at the former Catholic Paradijskerk in Rotterdam, was emulated in numerous places, the ringing of bells could be heard on the empty streets and squares.
Jeanet Luiten: ‘Once, this was the only way to reach people. Let's hope it still is, now that everyone has retreated behind the front door. ’

Click on Chapel Image for the COVID 19 Bell Ringing on March 18 2020.