BBC local radio helps worshippers in lockdown

People of faith can hear broadcasts from clergy, musicians and the occasional celebrity during lockdown via their local BBC radio station this lockdown.

Since March the network of 39 stations has been broadcasting a 30-minute Christian service at 8am each Sunday.

This weekend features a special Remembrance Sunday service led by the Anglican Bishop to the Forces, the Right Reverend Tim Thornton. The next eight weeks see services from the likes of new Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, Methodist minister Jenny Pathmarajah and world-renowned hymn writers Keith and Kristyn Getty.

Each Sunday the service is led by a different Christian denomination. Meanwhile, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and Jewish reflections take place throughout the week across the local stations.

All services and reflections are available afterwards on BBC Sounds.

More than 40 people have led the Christian worships over the past eight months, including Archbishop Justin Welby, Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Archbishop John Sentamu, who broadcast on one of his final days in office.

Listeners have described the local BBC radio Christian services as “uplifting”, “comforting” and a “lifeline”. One person added: “I always feel that I have truly worshipped along with the presenters.”

Reflections from other religions have seen a similarly eclectic mix, including a series of Islamic reflections by singer/songwriter Yusuf/Cat Stevens and a Sikh reflection by musician Jaz Dhami.

Chris Burns, Head of Local Radio for the BBC, says: “We know from personal testament just how important these broadcasts have proved to be. They have played an important role in bringing communities together virtually so no one need feel they are on their own.

“We expanded our religious programming on the first weekend of lockdown in March and will continue to broadcast services and reflections until life returns to normal.

“I am incredibly proud of the work our teams have carried out since the pandemic began.”

Although places of worship reopened earlier this year, strict social distancing measures were in place and singing was forbidden.

Christian services take place every Sunday at 8am. The next eight weeks:

• Sunday 8th November – Remembrance Sunday, led by the Anglican Bishop to the Forces, the Rt Rev Tim Thornton
• Sunday 15th November –World-renowned hymn writers Keith and Kristyn Getty lead a service about the joy of singing
• Sunday 22nd November – A special service featuring the South East Asian Christian communities of England, led by Canon Yaqub Misah
• Sunday 29th November – Advent begins. Led by Methodist minister, Jenny Pathmarajah
• Sunday 6th December – Reverend David Shosanya, former gang member turned Baptist minister
• Sunday 13th December – A Nativity service led by the Bishop of Dorking, Jo Wells, and featuring the Wintershall Players (who do a famous Nativity and a Passion play every year in Trafalgar Square)
• Sunday 20th December – The new Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, leads a Christmas service

Multi-faith reflections take place throughout the week:

• Across all 39 stations during the Sunday Breakfast Show 6am to 10am
• More in-depth reflections run on selected local BBC radio stations. Islamic: Friday 5.50am. Hindu: 5.50am Saturday. Sikh: Sunday 5.50am.
• BBC One’s Sunday Worship services start from Advent and go through into the New Year. You can also listen to Sunday Worship on BBC Radio 4 at 8.10am each Sunday.

The ‘selected’ local BBC stations are: Leeds, Sheffield, Lancashire, Manchester, WM, Leicester, Stoke, Derby, Nottingham, Coventry and Warwickshire, Three Counties, London, Merseyside and Berkshire.