Coronavirus drives worshippers ‘up the walls’ for drive-in service

The service, which took place in glorious sunshine, was led by the Rector of St. Augustine’s - ‘The Wee Church on the Walls’ - Rev. Nigel Cairns.

The service was held in Bishop Street car park, adjoining St. Augustine’s Parish Hall and opposite the city’s courthouse.

Dozens of cars turned up for the novel Whitsun service - the first of its kind in the city centre.

A team of volunteers, dressed in ‘high-vis’ vests and personal protective equipment (PPE) gear, oversaw a one-way, ‘car ferry’ type system, that meant cars were directed in one entrance and out by a different route after the service.

Social-distancing guidelines required all those present to remain in their cars during worship, and parish volunteers ensured that none of the worshippers fell victim to the soaring temperature.

Bishop Andrew, who preached the sermon, welcomed the congregation to what he called his ‘back garden’ (the car park occupies what would previously have been the back garden of the old Bishop’s Palace).

“Today, we’re the wee church without walls,” said the Bishop.

“I always think about St. Augustine’s as the wee Church with a big heart and today we’re showing our big heart because we’re together, worshipping God on this Pentecost Sunday.

“This is definitely a first for me,” the Bishop said, “and I would imagine it’s a first for many of you as well, but God is here and we worship him in spirit and in truth.”

Rev. Cairns echoed Bishop Forster’s welcome to the first ‘Drive-through Church’ in the inner city, and thanked all those who had helped make the service possible.

Rev. Cairns said that the St. Augustine’s parishioners would be gathering for worship in the same location once again on Sunday.